Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 7, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
218.5 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
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
Powers Lake, WI
Tom Fisk
North La Crosse, WI to Powers Lake, WI is 218.5 miles and takes about 4h 8m via I 90, I 39, and US 53, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates before transitioning to a U.S. highway for the final stretch. Plan for efficient travel with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 120.3 mi | 2h 8m |
| I 39 | 37.2 mi | 39m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| I 43 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| WI 11 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| US 12 | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 50 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| US 14 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,411 veh/hr typical · worst 2,093
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Powers Lake, WI.
Start on US 53; CTH B
Take the exit onto US 53
Continue on I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
Continue on WI 11
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
Continue on WI 11
Turn straight onto WI 11
Continue on US 14
Turn left
Merge onto I 43
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 12
Take the exit
Continue on WI 50; WI 120
Turn right onto CTH P
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH P
Turn right onto 399th Avenue
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only 218.5 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day, but take a break during the 120.3-mile stretch on I 90. There's only one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for fuel and a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $35, and it’s always wise to fill up before the final leg on US 53.
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.
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 48 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Powers Lake, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 218.5 miles and 4h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109.3 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 120.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 135.5 and 210 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WI 11 East: Delavan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WI 50 East: Kenosha
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$33.88 one way
$67.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $37.15 | $74.29 |
| premium | $4.93 | $42.39 | $84.78 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $48.16 | $96.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.94 | $10.49 |
| Efficient EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.12 | $8.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
11:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Destination
Night in Powers Lake on Sunday
Local time
11:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 97% of the 218.5 miles on major roads like I 90 and I 39. You'll encounter a long stretch of 120.3 miles on I 90, indicating ample opportunity for steady cruising. The transition to US 53 marks the end of the high-speed interstate travel, likely bringing more frequent, though not necessarily excessive, exits as you approach your destination. Expect minimal time on surface streets.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.5 miles in near I 39; I 90.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 218.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 135.5 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 173 miles (WI 11 / East Racine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
669 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
1,050 ft
~202.9 mi in
Elevation Range
402 ft
Founded 1842
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 218.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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