Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Morning in North La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
198.3 mi
319 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Grafton, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI covers 198.3 miles and takes about 4h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on WI 33, West Wisconsin Street, Highway 51 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.00 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
99.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 198.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 11m drive with frequent turns across 198.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WI 33 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
Navigation is easy, but the length (4h 11m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 33 | — | — |
| West Wisconsin Street | — | — |
| Highway 51 | — | — |
| Highway 16 | — | — |
| James Street | — | — |
| Park Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 33 | — | — |
| Washington Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
WI 33
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Grafton, WI.
1
Start on Rose Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Rose Street
2
Take the exit slight right
14 mi
·
15 min
3
Continue straight
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
4
Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
Keep slight right
174 ft
·
4 sec
6
Turn straight
4.0 mi
·
5 min
7
Turn right onto West Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Wisconsin Street
8
Continue on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
9
Turn left onto State Highway 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
10
Continue on James Street
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
James Street
11
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
12
Merge slight left
13 mi
·
15 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
14
Keep slight right
226 ft
·
5 sec
15
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Park Avenue
16
Continue on State Highway 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
17
Continue on Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
18
Turn left onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
19
Continue on Barstow Street
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Barstow Street
20
Turn straight onto Vine Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Vine Street
21
Turn right onto East Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lake Street
22
Continue on State Highway 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 33
151 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 33
24
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
25
Continue on Main Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Take the ramp right toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 41 South: Milwaukee
27
Merge slight left
7.7 mi
·
8 min
28
Take the exit slight right toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
29
Turn left onto State Highway 60 East
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
State Highway 60 East
30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 60
31
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 60
32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 60
33
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 60
34
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60
125 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 60
35
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60
420 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Highway 60
36
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 60
108 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 60
37
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 60
38
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 60
112 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 60
39
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 60
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 60
40
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
148 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
41
Exit the roundabout
4.6 mi
·
11 min
42
Turn right
79 ft
·
6 sec
43
Arrive at your destination
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 99.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.2 miles or 2h 5m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grafton, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North 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 North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 198.3 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from North 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.2 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Grafton, WI
The final approach into Grafton, 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 Grafton, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.00 one way
$62.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.04 | $68.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.16 | $76.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.78 | $87.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.82 | $9.52 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.76 | $12.69 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Grafton, WI
Morning in Grafton on Thursday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 11m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI covers 198.3 miles and takes about 4h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WI 33, West Wisconsin Street, Highway 51. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.2 miles from North 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 $31.00 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Navigation is easy, but the length (4h 11m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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