Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Walworth, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 44m

Distance

197.6 mi

318 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 32m ★

6 AM

3h 44m

8 AM

4h 9m

10 AM

3h 53m

12 PM

3h 51m

3 PM

3h 54m

5 PM

4h 8m

8 PM

3h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Walworth, WI

Joaquin Carfagna

Trip Overview

North La Crosse, WI to Walworth, WI is 197.6 miles and takes about 3h 44m via I 90 and I 39, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. Expect a high percentage of time spent on major interstates, making it a relatively quick and efficient journey. It's a good option if you're looking for a simple, no-fuss trip between these two locations, allowing you to reach your destination without extensive planning.

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

98.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	120.3 mi	2h 8m
I 39	37.2 mi	39m
US 53	14 mi	15m
US 14	11.7 mi	18m
WI 11	11.2 mi	15m
East Racine Street	1.6 mi	2m
Rose Street	1.2 mi	2m
Beloit Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 120.3 mi, about 2h 8m

Traffic on I-90

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,401 veh/hr typical · worst 2,038

Quietest

2 AM

~164 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.5×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Walworth, WI.

Start on US 53; CTH B

1.2 mi · 2 min · Rose Street

Take the exit onto US 53

14 mi · 15 min · US 53

Continue on I 90

120 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 90

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90

37 mi · 39 min · I 39; I 90

Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 175 Toward WI 11 East: Delavan

Keep slight left at fork

518 ft · 13 sec

Enter roundabout onto WI 11

297 ft · 16 sec · East Racine Street

Continue on WI 11

0.1 mi · 12 sec · East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 11

112 ft · 6 sec · East Racine Street

Continue on WI 11

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street

Turn straight onto WI 11

11 mi · 15 min · WI 11

Continue on US 14

12 mi · 18 min · US 14

Turn right onto US 14

214 ft · 12 sec · Park Street

Turn left onto US 14

219 ft · 9 sec · Beloit Street

Arrive at destination

WI 67

Trip Plan

With a drive time of under four hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. The longest stretch without a significant road change is over 120 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you leave or shortly after you get underway. Given the high highway share, you'll find plenty of service areas along I 90 and I 39 for quick breaks. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive in Walworth with plenty of afternoon light.

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 98.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.3 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 43 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walworth, 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 197.6 miles and 3h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 120.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dekorra, WI

99 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

Wilton, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dekorra, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.2 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 135.5 and 173.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

135.5 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | I 39; I 90

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago

172.7 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in

Take the exit toward WI 11 East: Delavan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 175 Toward WI 11 East: Delavan

172.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

173 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | WI 11 / East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

173.2 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | WI 11 / East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.18 one way

$58.36 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.14	$32.22	$64.43
premium	$4.72	$36.69	$73.38
diesel	$4.80	$37.31	$74.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	59.3	$20.75	$9.48
Efficient EV	49.4	$17.29	$7.90
EV Truck/SUV	79	$27.66	$12.65

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Morning in North La Crosse on Monday

Local time

6:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Areas Of Smoke

E 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

Walworth, WI

Morning in Walworth on Monday

Local time

6:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Areas Of Smoke

NE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

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

1 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 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 74.9

Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible

Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 90 and I 39. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment being 120.3 miles on I 90. The character of the road remains largely consistent throughout, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery. Expect smooth driving conditions suitable for maintaining a steady pace for most of the journey.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 120.3 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 135.5 miles in near I 39; I 90.

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 44m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 172.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

997 ft 648 ft

Total Climb

646 ft

Total Descent

297 ft

Highest Point

997 ft

~197.6 mi in

Elevation Range

349 ft

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Uptowne Cafe

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

La Crosse, WI

Cuisine: american

Starbucks

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mauston, WI

Cuisine: pizza

Visit website

La Crosse Loggers

Hours: Mo,Tu,Th-Sa 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-20:00

Dahl Auto Museum

Museum

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

La Crosse, WI

Visit website

Dawn Manor: Site of the Lost City of Newport

Memorial

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ribbon V

Artwork

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Super 8

Motel

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

La Crosse, WI

Visit website

Country Inn & Suites

Hotel

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

La Crosse, WI

Visit website

Country Inn & Suites

Hotel

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sparta, WI

Visit website

Cliffwood Campground

Camp_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Willow's Motel

Motel

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Sandstone Ridge Campground

Camp_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in North La Crosse, WI

Full guide →

Founded 1842

Top landmarks

• St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
• La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
• Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America

Arriving in Walworth, WI

Full guide →

Founded 1901

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 197.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 120.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 23 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.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Walworth, 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, 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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