Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from La Crosse, WI to Silver Lake, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

120.9 mi

195 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 34m

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 Silver Lake, WI, WI

Silver Lake, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Silver Lake, WI covers 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 40m 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 21, State Highway 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.1 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.90 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

60.4 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 120.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 120.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.1 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 21 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 55.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.

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 2h 40m 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 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | Losey Boulevard North

Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North

Navigation decision point

6
62.2 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 61 Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
62.4 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
69.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | WI 80 / State Highway 80

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80

Navigation decision point

4
116.3 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | WI 21; WI 22 / South Cambridge Street

Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22 / South Cambridge Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Silver Lake, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.

New Lisbon

62.2 mi in | ~1h 14m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 55.1 mi 59m
State Highway 21 43.4 mi 1h 1m
State Highway 80 9.6 mi 13m
WI 16 4.5 mi 8m
West Main Street 1.9 mi 4m
South Main Street 1.2 mi 1m
West 3rd Street 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 55.1 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Silver Lake, 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

55 mi · 59 min · I 90
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 61 Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9

Keep slight left at fork

91 ft · 6 sec
10

Turn left onto WI 80

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Bridge Street
11

Continue on WI 80

6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 80
12

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 80
13

Continue on WI 80

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
14

Turn right onto WI 21

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
15

Continue on WI 21

29 mi · 40 min · State Highway 21
16

Continue on WI 21

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Wautoma Road
17

Continue on WI 21

12 mi · 16 min · State Highway 21
18

Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Cambridge Street
19

Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73

1.9 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
20

Continue on WI 21; WI 73

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 21
21

Arrive at destination

WI 21

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.4 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 27 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.4 miles or 1h 12m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silver Lake, 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 120.9 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 55.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.4 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 12m into the drive

city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New Lisbon, WI

60 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

Sparta, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Lisbon, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Silver Lake, WI

The final approach into Silver Lake, 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 Silver Lake, 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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 100
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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.90 one way

$37.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.75 $41.51
premium $4.89 $23.27 $46.53
diesel $5.61 $26.69 $53.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.3 0 $12.69 $5.80
Efficient EV 30.2 0 $10.58 $4.84
EV Truck/SUV 48.4 0 $16.93 $7.74

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Evening in La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

8:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Silver Lake, WI

Evening in Silver Lake on Thursday

Local time

8:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°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

13 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

2h 40m 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 Silver Lake, WI covers 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 21, State Highway 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.4 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 $18.90 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.
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 2h 40m 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 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Silver Lake, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Silver Lake, WI

City of Janesville, WI 122.8 mi · 2h 27m North La Crosse, WI 114.8 mi · 2h 33m

More from La Crosse, WI

Forestville, WI 249.2 mi · 5h 20m Kenosha, WI 244.8 mi · 4h 43m Pleasant Prairie, WI 242.1 mi · 4h 35m Brussels, WI 238.3 mi · 5h 5m Bristol, WI 232.8 mi · 4h 32m Cloverland, WI 231.2 mi · 4h 58m

More trips to Silver Lake, WI

Kenosha, WI 155 mi Racine, WI 144.3 mi City of Janesville, WI 123.2 mi North La Crosse, WI 118.3 mi New Berlin, WI 115.5 mi Wauwatosa, WI 113.6 mi
Weekend drives from La Crosse, WI Scenic drives in WI

Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Silver Lake, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.

Explore maps for La Crosse, WI or Silver Lake, WI on MapSof.net.