The drive from Maple Bluff, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 137.6 miles and takes about 2h 38m 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, County Highway CV for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.8 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.51 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
68.8 miles from Maple Bluff, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 137.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 38m highway drive covering 137.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 39. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.8 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 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 105.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis De...
5
7 mi into trip|~16m in|I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.3 mi into trip|~41m in|I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
135.8 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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.
On the drive from Maple Bluff, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
93.8 mi in|~1h 49m|via I 90
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
105.8 mi
1h 53m
I 39
23.3 mi
24m
County Highway CV
2.4 mi
4m
Rose Street
1.6 mi
3m
Packers Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Farwell Drive
0.6 mi
2m
US Highway 51
0.5 mi
<1m
Northport Drive
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 105.8 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Bluff, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Bay Avenue
129 ft·8 sec·Bay Avenue
2
Turn left onto Farwell Drive
277 ft·13 sec·Farwell Drive
3
Continue on Farwell Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Farwell Drive
4
Turn right onto Sheridan Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Sheridan Drive
5
Turn left onto Wyldewood Drive
0.1 mi·33 sec·Wyldewood Drive
6
Turn left onto Monterey Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·Monterey Drive
7
Continue on Trailsway
0.2 mi·54 sec·Trailsway
8
At end of road, turn left onto North Sherman Avenue
0.3 mi·59 sec·North Sherman Avenue
9
Turn right onto WI 113
0.4 mi·47 sec·Northport Drive
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Darwin Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Darwin Road
11
Turn left onto CTH CV
1.3 mi·2 min·Packers Avenue
12
Continue on CTH CV
2.4 mi·4 min·County Highway CV
13
Turn slight left
499 ft·26 sec
14
Turn left onto US 51; CTH CV
0.5 mi·53 sec·US Highway 51
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
16
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
23 mi·24 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi·45 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
19
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
20
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
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 68.8 miles from Maple Bluff, WI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 22m 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 10m
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 Maple Bluff, 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 Maple Bluff, WI
This is one driving day of about 137.6 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Maple Bluff, 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 105.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.8 mi from Maple Bluff, WI
· 1h 22m into the drive
The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Maple Bluff, 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 105.8 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.
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.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 57
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.51 one way
$43.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.62
$47.24
premium
$4.89
$26.48
$52.96
diesel
$5.61
$30.38
$60.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.3
0
$14.45
$6.60
Efficient EV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
EV Truck/SUV
55
0
$19.26
$8.81
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 18, 2026
Origin
Maple Bluff, WI
Afternoon
in Maple Bluff on Saturday
Local time
12:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Sunny
W 15 to 20 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:17AM CDT until April 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 10:13AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Afternoon
in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
12:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 18 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:17AM CDT until April 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 10:13AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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 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 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maple Bluff, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 137.6 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 39, County Highway CV. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.8 miles from Maple Bluff, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 137.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Maple Bluff, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
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.
