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Trip from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

191.6 mi

308 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

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

Downtown Grafton, WI, WI

Grafton, WI

Tom Fisk

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

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 191.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Washington Street, the route, Highway 60 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.95 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

95.8 miles from Grafton, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 191.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 26m drive with frequent turns across 191.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Washington Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Washington Street
the route
Highway 60
I 41 North
US 41 North
WI 33
Main Street
Highway 33

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Washington Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

79 ft · 11 sec · the route
2

At the end of the road, turn left onto Washington Street

1.9 mi · 5 min · Washington Street
3

Continue straight

2.7 mi · 5 min
4

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

144 ft · 3 sec · the route
5

Exit the roundabout

3.9 mi · 5 min
6

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60

108 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 60
7

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60

3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 60
8

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60

125 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 60
9

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60

427 ft · 9 sec · State Highway 60
10

Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 60

95 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 60
11

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60

0.1 mi · 13 sec · State Highway 60
12

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60

105 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 60
13

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60

2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 60
14

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60

128 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 60
15

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60

0.4 mi · 38 sec · State Highway 60
16

Take the ramp right toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Appleton, Fond du Lac

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 41 North, US 41 North: Appleton, Fond du Lac
17

Merge slight left onto US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

7.5 mi · 8 min · US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
18

Take the exit slight right toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend

0.4 mi · 49 sec · WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend
19

Turn left onto Main Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · Main Street
20

Continue on State Highway 33

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
21

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 33

118 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 33
22

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 33

8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 33
23

Continue on Lake Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · Lake Street
24

Turn left onto Vine Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Vine Street
25

Continue on Barstow Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Barstow Street
26

Continue on Main Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Main Street
27

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Washington Street
28

Continue on State Highway 33

8.0 mi · 10 min · State Highway 33
29

Continue on Park Avenue

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Park Avenue
30

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
31

Merge slight left

13 mi · 15 min
32

Take the exit slight right toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage

0.3 mi · 43 sec · WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
33

Keep slight right

240 ft · 6 sec
34

Turn straight onto James Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · James Street
35

Continue on State Highway 16

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16
36

Turn straight onto US Highway 51 & State Highway 16

2.7 mi · 4 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
37

Continue on East Wisconsin Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Wisconsin Street
38

Turn left onto West Cook Street

3.7 mi · 5 min · West Cook Street
39

Take the ramp slight right

0.4 mi · 50 sec
40

Merge slight left

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min
41

Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

42 mi · 45 min · I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
42

Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

0.2 mi · 37 sec · US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
43

Turn left onto Rose Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
44

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 95.8 miles from Grafton, WI, or about 1h 43m into the drive.

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 42 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 95.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 49m

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 Grafton, 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 Grafton, WI

This is one driving day of about 191.6 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Grafton, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 95.8 mi from Grafton, WI · 1h 43m into the drive

village in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pardeeville, WI

96 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

Waupun, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pardeeville, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 95.8 miles from Grafton, 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

$29.95 one way

$59.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.89 $65.78
premium $4.89 $36.87 $73.74
diesel $5.61 $42.30 $84.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.5 0 $20.12 $9.20
Efficient EV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66
EV Truck/SUV 76.6 0 $26.82 $12.26

Gas CO2

67 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Grafton, WI

Afternoon in Grafton on Thursday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

2:37 PM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 26m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 191.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Washington Street, the route, Highway 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.8 miles from Grafton, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.95 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Grafton, WI to North La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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