Trip from Belle Plaine, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

188.1 mi

303 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 55m ★

6 AM

4h 8m

8 AM

4h 34m

10 AM

4h 17m

12 PM

4h 14m

3 PM

4h 18m

5 PM

4h 33m

8 PM

4h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Belle Plaine, WI

Sam McCool

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 188.1-mile journey from Belle Plaine to North La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a straightforward drive primarily utilizing I-90 and I-39, with a brief section on West Follett Drive. Expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes on the road, making it a manageable one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is heavily highway-focused, offering a consistent pace for the majority of the drive. This trip is ideal for those seeking an efficient way to travel between these two Wisconsin locations without extensive planning.

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

94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 72% of the route on major interstates like I-90 and I-39. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 41.3 miles on I-90, allowing for extended periods of consistent speed. While much of the trip is on high-speed roads, the inclusion of West Follett Drive adds a brief change of pace. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained interstates designed for efficient travel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 0.5 miles in near WI 22 / State Highway 22.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 188.1 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 0.5 miles (WI 22 / State Highway 22): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | WI 22 / State Highway 22

At end of road, turn left onto WI 22 / State Highway 22

Navigation decision point

9.3 mi into trip | ~15m in | WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street

Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

90.6 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah

144.5 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

186.3 mi into trip | ~4h 3m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Belle Plaine, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Necedah and Albert Lea.

Necedah

90.6 mi in | ~2h 3m

Albert Lea

144.5 mi in | ~3h 18m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	41.3 mi	44m
I 39	33.5 mi	35m
West Follett Drive	28.1 mi	39m
State Highway 161	18.9 mi	28m
State Highway 22	15.1 mi	22m
State Highway 21	11.1 mi	15m
East 3rd Street	10.9 mi	15m
US Highway 10	6.6 mi	8m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 41.3 mi, about 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

Start on Belle Plaine Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Belle Plaine Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto WI 22

3.2 mi · 4 min · State Highway 22

Continue on WI 22

0.9 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue

Turn right onto WI 22

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Continue on WI 22

2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 22

At end of road, turn right onto W Green Tree Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · W Green Tree Road

Turn left onto CTH D

0.7 mi · 1 min · County Road D

At end of road, turn left onto CTH D

0.1 mi · 19 sec · West 12th Street

Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D

5.3 mi · 7 min · US Highway 45

Turn right

427 ft · 7 sec

Turn straight onto WI 22

9.5 mi · 14 min · State Highway 22

Turn right onto WI 110

230 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 110

Turn left onto WI 161

9.8 mi · 14 min · State Highway 161

Continue on WI 161

1.0 mi · 1 min · East State Street

Turn right onto WI 49; WI 161; CTH G; CTH J

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Main Street

Turn left onto WI 161

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Mill Street

Continue on WI 161

9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 161

Continue on Loberg Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Loberg Road

Continue on this road

1.1 mi · 1 min · this road

Turn right onto US 10; CTH K

6.6 mi · 8 min · US Highway 10

Continue on US 10

1.5 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Turn left

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Merge onto I 39; US 51

33 mi · 35 min · I 39; US 51

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah

Keep slight right at fork

121 ft · 3 sec

Merge onto WI 21

28 mi · 39 min · West Follett Drive

Continue on WI 21

11 mi · 15 min · East 3rd Street

Continue on WI 21; CTH H

11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 21

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Merge onto I 90

41 mi · 43 min · I 90

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

Turn left onto US 53; WI 35

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning from Belle Plaine allows ample time to reach North La Crosse comfortably within the same day. Plan for one stop to break up the 188.1 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 41.3 miles on I-90, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost around $29, keeping an eye on your gauge is practical. Consider a brief stop in a town along I-90 for a stretch and to refuel if needed.

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 94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, or about 2h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94 miles or 2h 8m 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 29m

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 Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, WI

This is one driving day of about 188.1 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Belle Plaine, 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 41.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94 mi from Belle Plaine, WI · 2h 8m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

94 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in North La Crosse, WI

The final approach into North La Crosse, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around North La Crosse, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.41 one way

$58.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$32.29	$64.58
premium	$4.89	$36.20	$72.40
diesel	$5.61	$41.53	$83.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.4	$19.75	$9.03
Efficient EV	47	$16.46	$7.52
EV Truck/SUV	75.2	$26.33	$12.04

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Belle Plaine, WI

Morning in Belle Plaine on Wednesday

Local time

6:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Morning in North La Crosse on Wednesday

Local time

6:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°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

23 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

4h 7m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Belle Plaine, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 188.1 miles and takes about 4h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, I 39, West Follett Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Belle Plaine, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Necedah and Albert Lea.

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Trip from Belle Plaine, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in North La Crosse, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Belle Plaine, WI

North La Crosse, WI

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 7m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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