Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Royalton, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
153.4 mi
247 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
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
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
Royalton, WI
Israel Torres
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Royalton, WI is 153.4 miles and takes about 3h 23m via I 90 and State Highways 21/22, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving you through the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a single-day drive. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roadways, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. It's a practical choice for getting from A to B efficiently.
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
76.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 44.4 mi | 47m |
| State Highway 21 | 41.3 mi | 57m |
| State Highway 22 | 24.6 mi | 36m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 22/54 | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 54 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Royalton Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 44.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Royalton, 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
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 90
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
Keep slight left at fork
91 ft
·
6 sec
6
Turn left onto WI 80
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Bridge Street
7
Continue on WI 80
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 80
8
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 80
9
Continue on WI 80
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right onto WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street
11
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 21
12
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
13
Continue on WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
14
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
15
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Main Street
16
Turn left onto WI 22
24 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 22
17
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Western Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 22
19
Continue on Lakeside Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeside Parkway
20
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Main Street
21
Turn right onto Lake Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Lake Street
22
Turn straight onto School Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
School Street
23
Continue on Royalton Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Royalton Street
24
Enter roundabout
118 ft
·
1 sec
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
25
Continue
77 ft
·
2 sec
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
26
Turn straight onto WI 22; WI 54
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 22/54
27
Continue on WI 54
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 54
28
Turn left onto CTH B; CTH O
53 ft
·
1 sec
·
County Road B
29
Arrive at destination
CTH B; CTH O
Trip Plan
For this 153.4-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight, especially since the drive should only take around 3 hours and 23 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, keeping an eye on your gas gauge is wise, though the relatively short distance means you won't likely need extensive refueling stops. The longest stretch without exiting is 44.4 miles on I 90, so plan your last restroom break before getting on that segment. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; consider stopping once for a quick break or meal to break up the 3+ hours of driving.
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 76.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Royalton, 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 153.4 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
La Crosse Rest Area 31
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 59.6 and 142.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
59.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
WI 80 / State Highway 80
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80
Navigation decision point
4
113.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
WI 21; WI 22 / South Cambridge Street
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22 / South Cambridge Street
Navigation decision point
6
142.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Enter roundabout toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.98 one way
$47.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.33 | $52.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.52 | $59.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.87 | $67.74 |
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: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.11 | $7.36 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.42 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Royalton, WI
Late night in Royalton on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
41°F
Big Flats, WI
77 mi in
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
17 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 23m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 95.2
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 95% of the 153.4 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 44.4 miles on I 90 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with the bulk of your travel occurring on I 90. The transition from the interstate to State Highways 21 and 22 will bring a change in scenery and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 59.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.1 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.
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 Royalton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
59.6 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 153.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.4 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.1 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Royalton, 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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