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Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h

Distance

147.9 mi

238 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

22 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI covers 147.9 miles and takes about 3h 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 16, US 53 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.9 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.12 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

74 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 147.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h highway drive covering 147.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.9 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 16 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 State Highway 16. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI is easy. At 3h with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 112.7 miles (WI 16 / State Highway 16): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These 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
112.7 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | WI 16 / State Highway 16

Turn left onto WI 16 / State Highway 16

Navigation decision point

4
147 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | CTH KW / South Street

Turn left onto CTH KW / South Street

Navigation decision point

4
147.8 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | CTH G; CTH I; CTH KW / Beaver Dam Road

Turn right onto CTH G; CTH I; CTH KW / Beaver Dam Road

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 North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, 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
State Highway 16 22.6 mi 31m
US 53 14 mi 15m
Highway 16 & 60 9.5 mi 13m
WI 33 4 mi 5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 2.8 mi 4m
James Street 1.8 mi 4m
West Wisconsin Street 1.6 mi 3m
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 Lowell, 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

4.0 mi · 5 min · WI 33
7

Turn right onto US 51; WI 16

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Wisconsin Street
8

Continue on US 51; WI 16

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
9

Turn left onto WI 16

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16
10

Continue on WI 16; WI 60

1.8 mi · 4 min · James Street
11

Continue on WI 16; WI 60

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Manning Street
12

Continue on WI 16; WI 60

9.5 mi · 13 min · Highway 16 & 60
13

Turn left onto CTH KW

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Street
14

Turn right onto CTH G; CTH I; CTH KW

441 ft · 17 sec · Beaver Dam Road
15

Continue on CTH G; CTH I

313 ft · 8 sec · Beaver Dam Road
16

Arrive at destination

CTH G; CTH I

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 74 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 21m 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 33 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74 miles or 1h 21m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lowell, 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 147.9 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 74 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 1h 21m into the drive

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

74 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

Tomah, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Delton, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74 miles from North La Crosse, 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 88.9 miles.

Arriving in Lowell, WI

The final approach into Lowell, 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 Lowell, 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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 76.5
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

$23.12 one way

$46.24 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.39 $50.78
premium $4.89 $28.46 $56.92
diesel $5.61 $32.65 $65.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Culver's - Tesla Supercharger

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lake Delton, WI Rechargery Relay - Gasser Rd

Lake Delton, WI

IONNA

10 DCFC

Taphouse Twenty - Tesla Supercharger

Tomah, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Midwest Prairie Business Center - Tesla Supercharger

Onalaska, WI

Tesla

6 DCFC

Culver's of Mauston - Tesla Supercharger

Mauston, WI

Tesla

6 DCFC

Kwik Trip #762

La Crosse, WI

KWIK_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Dahl Ford

Onalaska, WI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Kwik Trip #1048

West Salem, WI

KWIK_CHARGE

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 Tesla: 4 KWIK_CHARGE: 3 EV Connect: 2 Blink Network: 2 FLO: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Electrify America: 1 ZEFNET: 1 eVgo Network: 1 IONNA: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.4 0 $15.53 $7.10
Efficient EV 37 0 $12.94 $5.92
EV Truck/SUV 59.2 0 $20.71 $9.47

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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

North La Crosse, WI

Evening in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

5:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lowell, WI

Evening in Lowell on Thursday

Local time

5:30 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

24 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

3h 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 North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI covers 147.9 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 16, US 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74 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 $23.12 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI is easy. At 3h with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 112.7 miles (WI 16 / State Highway 16): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Lowell, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.

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