Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Denmark, WI
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
214.9 mi
346 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
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
Denmark, WI
Christian Himmel
Trip Overview
Spanning 214.9 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from North La Crosse to Denmark takes approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You should budget about $33 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating primarily via I-90 and I-41, you will experience a direct transit through the heart of the Midwest. This route is an efficient choice if you are prioritizing travel time over meandering backroads, offering a straightforward path between these two Wisconsin points.
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
107.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 93% of your journey spent on highways, expect a fast-paced and efficient driving experience. You will spend the bulk of your time on major interstates, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.9 miles on I-90. The transition from the interstate system to State Highway 82 provides a slight change in pace as you navigate the final segments of the trip. While the route is heavy on highway miles, the consistency of the infrastructure makes for a predictable drive. You will find that the road maintains a steady rhythm, allowing you to cover the 214.9-mile distance with minimal navigation stress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 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 51.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 214.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
6
149.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Turn left toward I-41_North: Appleton
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
6
149.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward Appleton
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Appleton
6
197 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
6
197.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Towns Along This Route
Between North La Crosse, WI and Denmark, WI, road signs point toward Oxford and Appleton.
Oxford
67.1 mi in
|
~1h 13m
Appleton
149.3 mi in
|
~3h 18m
|
via I 41; US 41
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 51.9 mi | 55m |
| I 41 | 47.4 mi | 51m |
| State Highway 82 | 28.3 mi | 42m |
| State Highway 23 | 16 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 44 | 14.8 mi | 21m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 23 & 73 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| I 43 | 9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 51.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Denmark, 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
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 90
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
5
Turn left onto State Highway 82
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 82
6
Continue on State Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 82
7
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 82
8
Continue on WI 82
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 82
9
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ormsby Street
10
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 82
11
Continue on State Highway 23
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
12
Continue on WI 23
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Underwood Avenue
13
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Montello Street
14
Continue on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Montello Street
15
Continue on WI 23
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 23
16
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South 2nd Street
17
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
19
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23 & 73
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
21
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
22
Turn left onto CTH FF
403 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Union Street
23
Turn straight onto West Oshkosh Street
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Oshkosh Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto East Oshkosh Street
263 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Oshkosh Street
25
Continue on WI 44
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 44
26
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ripon Rd
27
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 44/91
28
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
29
Merge onto I 41; US 41
47 mi
·
51 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward Appleton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 164B; 164A
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward WI 172 East: East State Highway 172
34
Merge onto WI 172
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 172
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
36
Merge onto I 43
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 43
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 171
Toward WI 96, CTH KB: Greenleaf, Denmark
38
Keep slight left at fork
164 ft
·
4 sec
39
Turn left onto WI 96
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
WI 96
40
Continue on CTH KB
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Depere Road
41
Enter roundabout onto CTH KB
130 ft
·
7 sec
·
Depere Road
42
Continue on CTH KB
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Depere Road
43
Continue on CTH KB
462 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
44
Turn right
192 ft
·
17 sec
45
Turn left
218 ft
·
19 sec
46
Turn left
137 ft
·
10 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 34-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and keep your energy up. Leaving early in the day is a smart strategy to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the more congested portions of I-41. While the $33 fuel estimate is a solid baseline, consider checking your vehicle's range before hitting the road, as the longest 51.9-mile stretch on I-90 requires you to be prepared for extended time between exits. Because the route is compact enough for one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to fit your personal schedule perfectly. Stay alert during the transition points where you shift from I-90 and I-41 onto State Highway 82 to ensure you stay on track.
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 107.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 13m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denmark, 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 214.9 miles and 4h 34m.
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 51.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.4 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Denmark, WI
The final approach into Denmark, 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 Denmark, 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
$32.64 one way
$65.28 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.98 | $71.97 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.57 | $81.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.74 | $95.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.56 | $10.32 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.80 | $8.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86 | 1 | $30.09 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Denmark, WI
Afternoon in Denmark on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°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
3 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 34m 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 Denmark, WI covers 214.9 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 41, State Highway 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.4 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 $32.64 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 214.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between North La Crosse, WI and Denmark, WI, road signs point toward Oxford and Appleton.
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