Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to New Glarus, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
152.2 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
New Glarus, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to New Glarus, WI is 152.2 miles and takes about 3h 6m via I 90 and US 12, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find this route offers a practical way to cover the distance with minimal fuss. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient journey between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.1 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 75 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 12 | 22 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 78 | 15.5 mi | 22m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 92 | 12.5 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 69 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| US Highway 14 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 19/78 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 75 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and New Glarus, WI.
1
Start on US 53; CTH B
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Rose Street
2
Take the exit onto US 53
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 53
3
Continue on I 90
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
6
Merge onto US 12
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 12; WI 60
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Phillips Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 12; WI 78
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 12; WI 78
9
Turn right onto WI 78
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 78
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on WI 78; WI 19
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 19/78
11
Turn left onto US 14; WI 78
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 14
12
Continue on US 14; WI 78
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
State Street
13
Turn right onto WI 78; CTH F
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Mills Street
14
Continue on WI 78
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 78
15
Enter roundabout onto WI 92
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 8th Street
16
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South 8th Street
17
Turn straight onto WI 92
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 92
18
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
19
Continue on WI 92
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 92
20
At end of road, turn right onto WI 69
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 69
21
Turn straight
392 ft
·
15 sec
22
Turn slight right onto WI 39
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
6th Avenue
23
Turn left onto 2nd Street
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Street
24
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 3 hours, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach New Glarus without feeling rushed. Given the longest stretch without a major change is 75 miles, you'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 90 to US 12; while there are services, it’s always wise to top off before heading onto less major roads. Plan your fuel stop strategically around the point where US 12 begins.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.1 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Glarus, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North La Crosse, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 152.2 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from North La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 75 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.1 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 90.2 and 152.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
90.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
90.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 12
Merge onto US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
WI 78 / State Highway 78
Turn right onto WI 78 / State Highway 78
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
152.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
2nd Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.79 one way
$47.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.13 | $52.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.60 | $67.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.32 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
New Glarus, WI
Morning in New Glarus on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your travel taking place on major roads. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a continuous segment of 75 miles on I 90. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes covering ground efficiently. While the majority is highway, the introduction of US 12 and State Highway 78 will offer some variation as you approach your destination. It's designed for a smooth, albeit less varied, journey.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 90.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.6 miles (US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from North La Crosse, WI to New Glarus, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
90.2 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 152.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 90.6 miles (US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at New Glarus, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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