Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Winneconne, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
149 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
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
Winneconne, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 149-mile drive from North La Crosse, WI to Winneconne, WI takes approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on State Highway 21, I-90, and US 53, with 91% of the journey on highways. Budget around $23 for fuel. The route offers a straightforward Midwest journey, connecting two points within Wisconsin without significant regional shifts. It’s a practical option for a direct trip with minimal fuss.
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
74.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 21 | 65.4 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 90 | 44.4 mi | 47m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Willow Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 116 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Bannerman Avenue | 1.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 21
— 65.4 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,087 veh/hr typical · worst 1,477
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
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 Winneconne, 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
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
16
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 21
17
Continue on WI 21; CTH EE
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bannerman Avenue
18
Continue on WI 21
16 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 21
19
Continue on WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West River Drive
20
Continue on WI 116; CTH F
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Omro Road
21
Continue on WI 116
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 116
22
Continue on WI 116
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Willow Street
23
Continue on WI 116
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 116
24
Continue on WI 116; CTH B
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Poygan Road
25
Continue on WI 116
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
WI 116
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour duration, this 149-mile trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination or simply to avoid any potential midday traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $23, planning is straightforward. The longest stretch of 65.4 miles on State Highway 21 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway stretches can sometimes be farther apart than they appear.
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 74.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.4 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 27m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winneconne, 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 149 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 State Highway 21 for about 65.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.5 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 State Highway 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.4 miles.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
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 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 113.7 — 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.77 one way
$49.55 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $26.98 | $53.97 |
| premium | $5.18 | $30.40 | $60.81 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $31.38 | $62.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.15 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.04 | $5.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.86 | $9.54 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon in North La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Winneconne, WI
Afternoon in Winneconne on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
E 3 to 8 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 19m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 97.6
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 149-mile route, with 91% of your travel occurring on major roads like State Highway 21, I-90, and US 53. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.4 miles, primarily on State Highway 21, offering a solid period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive that is largely efficient, allowing you to cover ground steadily without frequent turns or significant slowdowns through towns. It's geared towards getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.4 mi on State Highway 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 21 and I 90. 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 Winneconne, WI is easy. At 3h 19m with 91% 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,068 ft
648 ft
Total Climb
547 ft
Total Descent
438 ft
Highest Point
1,068 ft
~95.8 mi in
Elevation Range
420 ft
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 Winneconne, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
59.6 mi in
|
~1h 5m
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 Winneconne, WI
Full guide →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 19m. Total distance: 149 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.4 miles on State Highway 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Winneconne, 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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