Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Dunkirk, WI
Drive Time
3h
Distance
156.1 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Dunkirk, WI
Jan van der Wolf
Trip Overview
Spanning 156.1 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this route from La Crosse to Dunkirk is a straightforward journey through Wisconsin. You can expect to spend about 3 hours behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a estimated fuel cost of $24, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since the entire drive stays within Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is manageable without the need for an overnight stay.
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
78 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of your time spent on major routes like I-90, I-39, and WI-16. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 131 miles on I-90. While the interstate segments prioritize efficiency and speed, the transition to local roads toward the end of your trip provides a shift in pace. Expect a reliable, consistent driving experience that favors high-speed transit over technical maneuvers. By focusing on these primary corridors, you can maintain steady momentum throughout the 3-hour journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 131 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 147.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
8
147.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
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 147
Toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
8
147.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
5
147.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
CTH N / County Highway N
Enter roundabout onto CTH N / County Highway N
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Along This Route
Between La Crosse, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Stoughton and Cottage Grove.
Cth N: Stoughton
147.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Cottage Grove
147.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 131 mi | 2h 20m |
| I 39 | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| County Highway N | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| County Road N | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Veterans Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 131 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Dunkirk, 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
9.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 147
Toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
380 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 147
Toward CTH N: Stoughton, Cottage Grove
11
Turn straight onto CTH N
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
County Highway N
12
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
138 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway N
13
Continue on CTH N
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway N
14
Continue on CTH B; CTH N
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road N
15
Continue on CTH N
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Highway N
16
Continue on CTH N; CTH A
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Road
17
Continue on CTH N
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road N
18
Arrive at destination
CTH N
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will only need to account for one planned stop to keep your drive comfortable and alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 cost estimate assumes steady highway cruising; heavy traffic or idling can shift that number. Because the vast majority of your route is on interstates, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you keep your travel time close to the 3-hour mark. Use the 131-mile stretch on I-90 to settle in, but plan your single stop strategically to break up the monotony of the long highway haul.
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 78 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 31m 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 31m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunkirk, 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 156.1 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78 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 131 miles.
Arriving in Dunkirk, WI
The final approach into Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.71 one way
$47.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.14 | $52.28 |
| premium | $4.80 | $29.47 | $58.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.68 | $69.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Dunkirk, WI
Afternoon in Dunkirk on Sunday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
2 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 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 Dunkirk, WI covers 156.1 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 39, WI 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78 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 $23.71 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 straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 147.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Crosse, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Stoughton and Cottage Grove.
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