Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Poynette, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
117.9 mi
190 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
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
Poynette, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from North La Crosse to Poynette, you are in for a 117.9-mile journey across the heart of Wisconsin. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, you will experience a more intimate look at the Midwest landscape. It is a straightforward trek that does not require an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination with ease in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.9 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 98.3 mi | 1h 45m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| County Highway CS | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| County Hwys J & CS | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| County Hwys Q & CS | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Poynette, 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
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
5
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft
·
5 sec
6
Turn straight onto CTH J; CTH CS
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
County Hwys J & CS
7
Continue on CTH CS
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway CS
8
Continue on CTH Q; CTH CS
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Hwys Q & CS
9
Turn left onto CTH Q; CTH CS
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Main Street
10
Arrive at destination
CTH Q; CTH CS
Trip Plan
Since this 117.9-mile trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. With no mandatory stops included in the itinerary, you can easily complete the drive in one steady push, though you should keep an eye on your fuel levels before heading out. Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, allow yourself a bit of extra time if you are driving during inclement weather or at night. My best tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on county highways means you will encounter numerous turns that require quick navigational adjustments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.9 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 26 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.9 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poynette, 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 117.9 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from North La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 98.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.9 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 98.3 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
4 of 44 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 117.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 53
Take the exit onto US 53
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
5
113.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
CTH Q; CTH CS / South Main Street
Turn left onto CTH Q; CTH CS / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.43 one way
$36.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.24 | $40.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.69 | $45.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.03 | $52.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
| Efficient EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.51 | $7.55 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Poynette, WI
Late night in Poynette on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
10 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
2h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience on this route, as your path is defined by a series of local connectors rather than major highways. You will navigate via CTH CS, County Hwys J & CS, and County Highway CS, meaning the highway share for this trip is zero percent. Because the road consists entirely of local lanes, you will find yourself constantly adjusting your speed and focus. This drive lacks the monotony of a long interstate grind, offering instead a technical, hands-on experience behind the wheel. It is a consistent, winding journey that demands your full attention from start to finish.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 53. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Poynette, WI is easy. At 2h 11m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 117.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Poynette, WI before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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