Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 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
$31
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
Walworth, WI
Joaquin Carfagna
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Walworth, 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 right onto US 14
Turn left onto US 14
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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
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 173.2 — 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
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$30.89 one way
$61.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.92 | $67.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.03 | $76.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.63 | $87.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79 | 0 | $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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in North La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Morning in Walworth on Tuesday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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