Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Trip from Twin Lakes, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
224.2 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Twin Lakes, WI
Tom Fisk
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Twin Lakes to North La Crosse is 224.2 miles and takes about 4h 13m via I 90, I 39, and US 12, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that covers a good portion of the state. The route is predominantly highway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points. Consider this if you need a direct, no-fuss drive to get you where you're going.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
112.1 miles from Twin Lakes, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 105.8 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 39 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 12 | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| US 14 | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| I 43 | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Richmond Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Rose Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Lance Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 105.8 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 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 Twin Lakes, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH EM; CTH Z
399 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Lake Avenue
2
Turn left onto CTH Z
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on CTH O
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lance Drive
4
Continue on CTH O; CTH P
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Richmond Road
5
Turn right onto 125th Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
125th Street
6
Continue on South Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Road
7
Turn right onto US 12
359 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 12
8
Take the exit onto US 12
17 mi
·
18 min
·
US 12
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
13
Merge onto I 43
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft
·
3 sec
16
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 14
17
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 14; WI 11
18
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
19
Enter roundabout
10 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
20
Continue
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
21
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
24
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
25
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 13m estimated duration, this is easily a one-day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive before evening. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in when and where you break up the drive. The majority of your travel will be on the interstate, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 105.8-mile stretch on I 90. Plan your final fuel stop before you reach the more rural sections closer to your destination.
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 112.1 miles from Twin Lakes, WI, or about 2h 11m 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 49 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
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 Twin Lakes, 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 Twin Lakes, WI
This is one driving day of about 224.2 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Twin Lakes, 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 105.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.1 miles from Twin Lakes, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Janesville Rest Area 17
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #17 Janesville
0.2 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
La Crosse Rest Area 31
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 21.2 and 180.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
6
21.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
7
22.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
8
34.5 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
7
180.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.11 one way
$66.22 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $36.55 | $73.10 |
| premium | $4.72 | $41.63 | $83.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.33 | $84.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.54 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.62 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Twin Lakes, WI
Late night in Twin Lakes on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
N 10 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
N 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM 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
4h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 146.9
Caution: Hemlock Creek Segment — Logging Activities
Caution: Tisch Mills Segment — Seasonal Flooding
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highway for about 96% of this 224.2-mile trip, which means you'll spend most of your time on I 90, I 39, and US 12. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 105.8 miles, primarily on I 90. Expect plenty of exits and access points during this time. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, closer to North La Crosse.
96% 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: 105.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 224.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
948 ft
648 ft
Total Climb
296 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
948 ft
~31.1 mi in
Elevation Range
300 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.
Between Twin Lakes, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth Nn: Beloit, Milwaukee, Beloit, Janesville and La Crosse.
Cth Nn: Beloit
21.2 mi in
|
~27m
Milwaukee
21.2 mi in
|
~27m
Beloit
21.4 mi in
|
~27m
Janesville
34.5 mi in
|
~42m
La Crosse
180.3 mi in
|
~3h 24m
|
via I 90
About the Cities
Starting in Twin Lakes, WI
Full guide →Arriving 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
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 4h 13m. Total distance: 224.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 — we found about 25 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at North La Crosse, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at North La Crosse, 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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