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Trip from La Crosse, WI to Twin Lakes, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 21m

Distance

226.1 mi

364 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 8m ★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Twin Lakes, WI, WI

Twin Lakes, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Twin Lakes, WI covers 226.1 miles and takes about 4h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, I 39, US 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.35 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

113.1 miles from La Crosse, WI

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 131 mi 2h 20m
I 39 37.2 mi 39m
US 12 16.7 mi 18m
I 43 11.7 mi 12m
WI 11 11.2 mi 15m
WI 16 4.5 mi 8m
US 14 3.5 mi 4m
Richmond Road 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 131 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Twin Lakes, 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

131 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 90
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90

37 mi · 39 min · I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 175 Toward WI 11 East: Delavan
10

Keep slight left at fork

518 ft · 13 sec
11

Enter roundabout onto WI 11

297 ft · 16 sec · East Racine Street
12

Continue on WI 11

0.1 mi · 12 sec · East Racine Street
13

Enter roundabout onto WI 11

112 ft · 6 sec · East Racine Street
14

Continue on WI 11

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street
15

Turn straight onto WI 11

11 mi · 15 min · WI 11
16

Continue on US 14

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 14
17

Turn left

0.4 mi · 47 sec
18

Merge onto I 43

12 mi · 12 min · I 43
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 27A Toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec
21

Merge onto US 12

17 mi · 18 min · US 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn left onto South Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Road
23

Continue on 125th Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 125th Street
24

Continue on 125th Street

300 ft · 12 sec · 125th Street
25

Turn left onto CTH P

2.0 mi · 3 min · Richmond Road
26

Continue on CTH O

1.6 mi · 2 min · Lance Drive
27

Continue on CTH Z

0.3 mi · 29 sec · East Main Street
28

At end of road, turn right onto CTH EM; CTH Z

399 ft · 11 sec · South Lake Avenue
29

Arrive at destination

CTH EM; CTH Z

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 113.1 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113.1 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Twin Lakes, 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.

+

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 La Crosse, WI

This is one driving day of about 226.1 miles and 4h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from La Crosse, 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 131 miles.

Where to Stop

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

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

113 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

Mauston, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.1 miles from La Crosse, 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 131 miles.

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 204 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
7.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 90

Merge onto I 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
138.1 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | I 39; I 90

Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
5
175.3 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Take the exit toward WI 11 East: Delavan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 175 Toward WI 11 East: Delavan
6
175.6 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | WI 11 / East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
204 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 27A Toward US 12 East: Lake Geneva

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.35 one way

$70.70 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.81 $77.62
premium $4.89 $43.51 $87.02
diesel $5.61 $49.92 $99.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.8 0 $23.74 $10.85
Efficient EV 56.5 0 $19.78 $9.04
EV Truck/SUV 90.4 1 $31.65 $14.47

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 17, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

2:21 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

Destination

Twin Lakes, WI

Afternoon in Twin Lakes on Saturday

Local time

2:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 21m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 78
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

226.1 mi in 4h 21m, mostly highway — 131 mi of that is on I 90.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 7.1 miles in near I 90.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 226.1 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 226.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 131 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 Twin Lakes, 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Twin Lakes, 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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