Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Trip from Walworth, WI to La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
200.6 mi
323 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 41m
★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Walworth, WI
Joaquin Carfagna
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 200.6-mile journey from Walworth, WI, to La Crosse, WI, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90, I-39, and US-14, this route offers a 95% highway experience, making it an efficient option for travelers. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, it's an economical choice for a quick trip within the Midwest. The drive is designed for steady progress, with the longest stretch covering 102.6 miles on I-90. Given its duration and highway focus, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
100.3 miles from Walworth, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 39 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 14 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 14 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| South Walworth Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| East Racine Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walworth, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 67
16 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Highway 67
2
Turn right onto US 14
214 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 14
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
4
Continue on US 14
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 14
5
Continue on US 14
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Walworth Street
6
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 14; WI 11
7
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
8
Enter roundabout
10 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
9
Continue
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
10
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
14
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
15
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
16
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
17
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
18
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
20
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 53-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially since it's a single-day trip. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 102.6 miles on I-90, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly to stay comfortable. The estimated fuel cost is around $31, so ensure your tank is topped up before heading out. Given the highway-focused nature and relatively short duration, you have flexibility in when you depart and how you manage your breaks. A practical tip for this route is to check for any construction or event delays on I-90, as it's the primary artery for a significant portion of your travel.
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 100.3 miles from Walworth, WI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 1h 57m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Walworth, 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 Walworth, WI
This is one driving day of about 200.6 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Walworth, 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 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Walworth, 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 102.6 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
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
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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 24.4 and 193.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
5
24.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
154 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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
193.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.36 one way
$62.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.43 | $68.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.60 | $77.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
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: 70.2 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 | 60.2 | 0 | $21.06 | $9.63 |
| Efficient EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.55 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.08 | $12.84 |
Gas CO2
70 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.
Origin
Walworth, WI
Morning in Walworth on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
16 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 53m 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.
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 117.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 200.6-mile trip. With 95% of the route on major highways like I-90 and I-39, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 102.6 miles on I-90, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US-14 offers some variation as you transition. This character means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, ideal for covering ground efficiently.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 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 24.4 miles in.
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 53m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →Founded 1842
La Crosse is a city in the Coulee Region of Southwest Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. It is the county seat of La Crosse County. It's nestled between the river and picturesque bluffs that rise behind it. With a city population of around 50,000 and the metropolitan area just under 100,000, La Crosse offers visitors plenty of activities to do and sights to see, without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
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 3h 53m. Total distance: 200.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 24.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From La Crosse, WI
More from Walworth, WI
More trips to La Crosse, WI
Explore more options from Walworth, WI or browse trips ending in La Crosse, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.