The drive from Kimberly, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 176.3 miles and takes about 3h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, State Highway 82, State Highway 23 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.8 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.56 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
88.2 miles from Kimberly, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 176.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 49m highway drive covering 176.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.8 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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 65.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 176.3 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshkosh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 287 B
Toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshk...
8
27 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward WI 44, WI 91
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 116
Toward WI 44, WI 91
7
132.5 mi into trip|~3h 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
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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 Kimberly, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Oshkosh and La Crosse.
Oshkosh
9.3 mi in|~12m
La Crosse
132.5 mi in|~3h|via I 90
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
65.8 mi
1h 10m
State Highway 82
28.1 mi
41m
State Highway 23
25.2 mi
36m
I 41
16.8 mi
18m
State Highway 44
14.8 mi
21m
Tri-County Expressway
6.4 mi
7m
State Highway 23 & 49
3.7 mi
5m
Underwood Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on West Kimberly Avenue
67 ft·8 sec·West Kimberly Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Railroad Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Railroad Street
3
Enter roundabout onto South Railroad Street
85 ft·4 sec·South Railroad Street
4
Continue on South Railroad Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Railroad Street
5
Turn straight onto CTH CE
0.4 mi·32 sec·County Road CE
6
Enter roundabout onto CTH CE
164 ft·2 sec·County Road CE
7
Continue on CTH CE
0.4 mi·36 sec·County Road CE
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on CTH CE
0.1 mi·17 sec·East College Avenue
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto WI 441
6.4 mi·7 min·Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on WI 441; US 10
0.7 mi·47 sec·Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 287 BToward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, OshkoshUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
17 mi·18 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 116Toward WI 44, WI 91Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
183 ft·4 sec
16
Turn right onto WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi·1 min·Ripon Rd
17
Continue on WI 44
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 44
18
Continue on East Oshkosh Street
1.5 mi·4 min·East Oshkosh Street
19
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi·2 min·West Fond du Lac Street
20
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 23 & 49
21
Turn straight onto WI 23; CTH A
9.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
0.7 mi·1 min·South Fulton Street
23
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D; CTH J
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
24
Turn left
150 ft·2 sec
25
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi·42 sec·South 2nd Street
26
Continue on State Highway 23
9.9 mi·14 min·State Highway 23
27
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi·57 sec·East Montello Street
28
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Montello Street
29
Turn slight right onto WI 23; CTH C
1.8 mi·2 min·Underwood Avenue
30
Continue on WI 23
6.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 23
31
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 82
32
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi·1 min·East Ormsby Street
33
Continue on WI 82
25 mi·36 min·State Highway 82
34
Keep slight right at fork
278 ft·5 sec
35
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
36
Merge onto I 90; I 94
24 mi·25 min·I 90; I 94
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi·45 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
38
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·I 90; US 53
Exit 3Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
39
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
40
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
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 88.2 miles from Kimberly, WI, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 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 13m
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 Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, WI
This is one driving day of about 176.3 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kimberly, 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 65.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.2 mi from Kimberly, WI
· 2h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.2 miles from Kimberly, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.8 miles.
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.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 79
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.56 one way
$55.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.26
$60.53
premium
$4.89
$33.93
$67.85
diesel
$5.61
$38.92
$77.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Kimberly, WI
Morning
in Kimberly on Thursday
Local time
11:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Morning
in North La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
11:36 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
5 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 49m 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 Kimberly, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 176.3 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 82, State Highway 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.2 miles from Kimberly, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.56 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 176.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kimberly, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Oshkosh and La Crosse.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
