Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
10:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Lake Delton, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
90.5 mi
146 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Delton, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 90.5-mile drive from La Crosse to Lake Delton, Wisconsin, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 47 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I-90 and WI-16, so you'll spend most of your time cruising. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this is a budget-friendly option for exploring the Midwest. Given its short duration and highway focus, it’s designed for efficient travel without the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 90.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 90.5-mile trip. You'll be on I-90 for a significant stretch of 79 miles, offering a consistent and fast-paced experience. As you approach your destination, you'll transition to WI-16 and then the Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, which might offer a slight change in scenery but maintains a high-speed character. This route prioritizes getting you there quickly over winding country roads or frequent stops, so settle in for a smooth, uninterrupted journey on well-maintained highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 79 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 47m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 86.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
6
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 85
Toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
5
86.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
88 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 12; WI 16 / Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Enter roundabout onto US 12; WI 16 / Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 79 mi | 1h 24m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| Wisconsin Dells Parkway North | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 12 & State Highway 16 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Lake Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 79 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Lake Delton, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 85
Toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
9
Keep slight left at fork
97 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn left onto US 12; WI 16
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 12 & State Highway 16
11
Continue on US 12; WI 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 12; WI 16
135 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
13
Continue on US 12; WI 16
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
14
Continue on US 12; WI 16; CTH A
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto West Lake Avenue
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Lake Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West Lake Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 90.5 miles and takes under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving La Crosse in the morning will get you to Lake Delton with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch on I-90 is 79 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get on that segment, as you won't want to be looking for services in the middle of it. With a low fuel cost of around $14, you won't need to worry too much about budget on this short hop, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially when on the interstate.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Delton, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Crosse, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 90.5 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from La Crosse, WI · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.2 miles from La Crosse, 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 79 miles.
Arriving in Lake Delton, WI
The final approach into Lake Delton, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.15 one way
$28.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.53 | $31.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.42 | $34.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.98 | $39.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.50 | $4.34 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.92 | $3.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Lake Delton, WI
Morning in Lake Delton on Friday
Local time
10:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
3 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
1h 47m 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 La Crosse, WI to Lake Delton, WI covers 90.5 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, WI 16, Wisconsin Dells Parkway North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.2 miles from La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 47m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 86.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from La Crosse, WI to Lake Delton, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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