Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Strongs Prairie, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
77.5 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
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
Strongs Prairie, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Strongs Prairie, WI is 77.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 34 minutes via I-90 and US-53, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. It’s a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey or a segment of a larger road trip. The relatively short distance and predictable roads mean you can easily fit this into your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 44.4 mi | 47m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 21 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 21st Avenue | 1 mi | 3m |
| West 3rd Street | 1 mi | 1m |
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 Strongs Prairie, 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
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 21
12
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
21st Avenue
13
Turn left onto Chicago Drive
85 ft
·
3 sec
·
Chicago Drive
14
Arrive at destination
Chicago Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 34 minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic around La Crosse. With only 77.5 miles, you likely won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel tired. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a turn is 44.4 miles on I-90, so plan your refueling accordingly before entering that segment.
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 38.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 43m 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 17 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 43m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Strongs Prairie, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 77.5 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.7 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 59.6 and 77.5 — 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
76.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
21st Avenue
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
77.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
Chicago Drive
Turn left onto Chicago Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.12 one way
$24.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.30 | $26.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.91 | $29.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.11 | $34.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.14 | $3.72 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31 | 0 | $10.85 | $4.96 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Strongs Prairie, WI
Late night in Strongs Prairie on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
13 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
1h 34m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 77.5
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey on major roads like I-90, US-53, and State Highway 80. You'll experience longer stretches of faster driving, including a continuous 44.4 miles on I-90. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, allowing for efficient travel. The road character remains largely consistent, offering a smooth and direct path between your starting and ending points.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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 US 53. 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 1h 34m drive. You will face about 7 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 Strongs Prairie, 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 1h 34m. Total distance: 77.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Strongs Prairie, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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