Origin
Hortonville, WI
Afternoon in Hortonville on Saturday
Local time
1:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hortonville, WI to La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
163.6 mi
263 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hortonville, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 168.9 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from Hortonville to La Crosse typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Navigating the path requires shifting away from major interstates, as the route relies on local roads like South Nash Street, Nye Street, and County Road TT. It serves as a straightforward Midwestern trek that trades high-speed highway travel for a more localized driving experience.
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
81.8 miles from Hortonville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| East Follett Drive | 28.9 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 21 | 23.4 mi | 32m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 49 | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 22 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| County Highway A | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| County Road M | 5.5 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hortonville, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH JJ
69 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CTH M
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Nash Street
3
Turn right onto Nye Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Nye Street
4
Continue on CTH TT
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road TT
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto WI 96
17 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
7
Continue on WI 96
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
8
Continue on WI 96
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Road 96
9
Continue on WI 96
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 110
10
Continue on WI 49
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 49
11
Turn right onto CTH M
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road M
12
Continue on CTH M
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road M
13
Continue on CTH M
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road M
14
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
County Highway E
15
Turn left onto CTH A
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
County Highway A
16
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22; CTH A
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 22
17
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
19
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Bird Avenue
20
Turn left onto WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
21
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
22
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
East Follett Drive
23
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
24
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
25
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
28
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
30
Merge onto I 90
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 90
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
32
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
33
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
34
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
35
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
36
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
38
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 168.9-mile route, plan to leave early in the day to ensure you can navigate the local roads during daylight hours. Since the trip takes just over 3 hours, a single stop is sufficient to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $26 budget on track. Because you are relying on local roads like County Road TT rather than major highways, stay alert for frequent turning points and intersections that aren't present on typical interstate routes. You have plenty of flexibility with a one-day timeline, so don't feel pressured to rush through the technical sections. Always double-check your navigation before departing Hortonville, as the reliance on local streets means you will have many more turns to track than a standard highway drive.
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 81.8 miles from Hortonville, WI, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 36 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 2h 4m 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 12m
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 Hortonville, 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 Hortonville, WI
This is one driving day of about 163.6 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Hortonville, 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 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.8 miles from Hortonville, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 156.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 45 / US Highway 45
At end of road, turn left onto US 45 / US Highway 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
WI 96 / State Highway 96
Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / State Highway 96 toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
5
32.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
CTH E / County Highway E
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E / County Highway E
Navigation decision point
6
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
6
156.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
$25.58 one way
$51.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.08 | $56.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
| Efficient EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.31 | $6.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.90 | $10.47 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 to 8 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:37PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
44°F
Big Flats, WI
82 mi in
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
3h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 67.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstate cruising; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local road character. With 0% of the drive on major highways, you will spend the entire 168.9-mile journey navigating smaller thoroughfares that demand your full attention. The road changes frequently as you transition between local streets and county roads, creating a driving environment that is far more technical than a standard freeway haul. You should anticipate a consistent need for lane adjustments and speed modifications throughout the 3-hour and 6-minute duration. It is a hands-on drive that keeps you engaged with the road surface and local traffic patterns from start to finish.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near US 45 / US Highway 45.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 163.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.4 miles (CTH E / County Highway E): Navigation decision point.
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 Hortonville, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Wis 96 West: Fremont and Albert Lea.
Wis 96 West: Fremont
9.3 mi in
|
~14m
|
via WI 96
Albert Lea
117.3 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.4 miles (CTH E / County Highway E): Navigation decision point.
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 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
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