Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Evening in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Chilton, WI
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
196.5 mi
316 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Chilton, WI
Walter Alejandro
Trip Overview
Connecting North La Crosse to Chilton, this 196.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Wisconsin. You should anticipate roughly 4 hours and 2 minutes of driving time, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $30, it is an affordable excursion for those crossing the Midwest. The route relies heavily on major arteries like I-90, US-151, and WI-33, keeping your travel time efficient. Since the entire drive stays within the state of Wisconsin, you will find a consistent regional feel throughout the journey. It serves as a practical link between the western and eastern portions of the state, perfect for a focused day of travel.
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
98.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, facing your longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.9 miles while navigating I-90. The personality of the drive shifts from high-speed interstate segments to the varied pacing of US-151 and WI-33. Expect a consistent, efficient experience behind the wheel rather than a winding backroads tour. By keeping the vast majority of the mileage on high-capacity infrastructure, the route prioritizes speed and reliability to get you to your destination efficiently.
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 88.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 151. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 2m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 138.3 miles (CTH C / County Road C): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
104.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
104.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
138.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
CTH C / County Road C
Turn left onto CTH C / County Road C
Navigation decision point
4
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the ramp toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
Navigation decision point
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
5
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Chilton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Baraboo
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 88.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 151 | 44.2 mi | 57m |
| WI 33 | 33.4 mi | 49m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 151 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 88.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Chilton, WI.
1
Start on US 53; CTH B
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Rose Street
2
Take the exit onto US 53
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 53
3
Continue on I 90
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft
·
4 sec
6
Turn straight onto WI 33
33 mi
·
49 min
·
WI 33
7
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East State Street
8
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Road A
9
Turn left onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
10
Take the ramp
99 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
11
Merge onto US 151
136 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 151
12
Take the exit
329 ft
·
17 sec
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
13
Turn left onto US 151
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 151
14
Turn straight onto US 151
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US 151
15
Continue on US 151
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 151
16
Continue on US 151
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
17
Turn left onto WI 32; WI 57
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Madison Street
18
Arrive at destination
WI 32; WI 57
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the highway sections. Since the route is efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it best suits your schedule, though mid-morning starts often help avoid peak congestion on the interstate segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 88.9-mile stretch on I-90 to ensure you stay within your $30 budget. Because this is a single-day trip, utilize your one planned stop strategically to refresh before reaching the final leg of the drive in Chilton. Aiming for a mid-trip break will keep your energy high as you transition from the interstate to the secondary highways.
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 98.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.9 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chilton, 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 196.5 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 88.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.3 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 98.3 miles from North 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 88.9 miles.
Arriving in Chilton, WI
The final approach into Chilton, 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 Chilton, 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
$29.85 one way
$59.69 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.90 | $65.80 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.10 | $74.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.66 | $87.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.63 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
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
Chilton, WI
Evening in Chilton on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
16 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
4h 2m 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 Chilton, WI covers 196.5 miles and takes about 4h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 151, WI 33. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.3 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 $29.85 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 2m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 138.3 miles (CTH C / County Road C): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Chilton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
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