Origin
Poynette, WI
Late night in Poynette on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poynette, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
117.7 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poynette, WI
Wikimedia Commons
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 117.7 miles across Wisconsin, this drive from Poynette to North La Crosse is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. It serves as an ideal one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel costs between these two Midwest locations. Because you aren't relying on major interstates, the journey offers a more intimate look at the local landscape. It is a practical choice if you prefer a direct route without the congestion of high-traffic highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.9 miles from Poynette, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 105.8 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 39 | 6.3 mi | 6m |
| County Highway CS | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Rose Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| County Hwys Q & CS | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| County Hwys J & CS | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 105.8 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poynette, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH Q; CTH CS
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto CTH Q; CTH CS
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Hwys Q & CS
3
Continue on CTH CS
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway CS
4
Continue on CTH J; CTH CS
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
County Hwys J & CS
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 39; I 90; I 94
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
9
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 90; US 53
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
10
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
11
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 48 minute trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You can easily complete the drive in a single push without needing to plan for formal stops, though keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise given the $18 estimated cost. Pay close attention to your navigation as you transition between County Highways Q, CS, and J, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be easy to miss if you aren't watching your signage. Aim to depart during daylight hours to better navigate the local road network comfortably. This route is best treated as a direct point-to-point transit where the journey itself is the primary focus of your travel time.
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 58.9 miles from Poynette, WI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.9 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Poynette, 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 Poynette, WI
This is one driving day of about 117.7 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Poynette, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 105.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.9 miles from Poynette, 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 105.8 miles.
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 65 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 115.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH Q; CTH CS / County Hwys Q & CS
Turn right onto CTH Q; CTH CS / County Hwys Q & CS
Navigation decision point
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
73.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
115.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.40 one way
$36.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.20 | $40.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.65 | $45.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.99 | $51.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.36 | $5.65 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.30 | $4.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.48 | $7.53 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
10 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
2h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a series of secondary roads, primarily utilizing County Highways Q, CS, and J. The personality of this drive is dictated by its technical nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between these smaller routes. Without any long, straight stretches, the road keeps you engaged behind the wheel throughout the entire 117.7-mile distance. It is a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed transit.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 0.5 miles in near CTH Q; CTH CS / County Hwys Q & CS.
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 2h 11m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (CTH Q; CTH CS / County Hwys Q & CS): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.4 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Poynette, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
73.9 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 117.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.5 miles (CTH Q; CTH CS / County Hwys Q & CS): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.4 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North La Crosse, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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