Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Spring Valley, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 28m

Distance

215.5 mi

347 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 15m ★

6 AM

4h 28m

8 AM

4h 55m

10 AM

4h 37m

12 PM

4h 35m

3 PM

4h 39m

5 PM

4h 53m

8 PM

4h 20m

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

Spring Valley, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Spring Valley, WI covers 215.5 miles and takes about 4h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, WI 33, State Highway 23 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 $33.69 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

107.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 215.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 28m highway drive covering 215.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and WI 33. 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 24 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 WI 33. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 215.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 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 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

104.3 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

138.3 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | CTH C / County Road C

Turn left onto CTH C / County Road C

Navigation decision point

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

201.5 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between North La Crosse, WI and Spring Valley, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Sheboygan Falls.

Baraboo

104.1 mi in | ~1h 53m

Sheboygan Falls

201.5 mi in | ~4h 2m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	88.9 mi	1h 35m
WI 33	33.4 mi	49m
State Highway 23	28.2 mi	33m
US 151	26.4 mi	31m
US 53	14 mi	15m
WI 32	6.7 mi	11m
County Road C	6 mi	8m
State Highway 42	5.5 mi	9m

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 Spring Valley, WI.

Start on US 53; CTH B

1.2 mi · 2 min · Rose Street

Take the exit onto US 53

14 mi · 15 min · US 53

Continue on I 90

89 mi · 1 hr 35 min · I 90

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 106 Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

Keep slight right at fork

175 ft · 4 sec

Turn straight onto WI 33

33 mi · 49 min · WI 33

Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C

0.3 mi · 34 sec · East State Street

Continue on CTH A; CTH C

0.2 mi · 22 sec · County Road A

Turn left onto CTH C

6.0 mi · 8 min · County Road C

Take the ramp

99 ft · 4 sec

Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie

Merge onto US 151

136 ft · 1 sec · US 151

Take the exit

329 ft · 17 sec

Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac

Turn left onto US 151

26 mi · 31 min · US 151

Turn right onto CTH V

451 ft · 13 sec · Rienzi Road

Turn left onto CTH K

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Road K

Enter roundabout

212 ft · 4 sec

Continue

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Merge onto WI 23

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Johnson Street

Continue on WI 23

28 mi · 33 min · State Highway 23

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls

Turn left onto WI 32

6.7 mi · 11 min · WI 32

Continue on WI 42

5.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 42

Turn left onto CTH MM

1.4 mi · 3 min · Pioneer Road

Arrive at destination

CTH MM

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 107.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 58m 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 47 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.7 miles or 1h 58m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Valley, 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 215.5 miles and 4h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 107.7 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 1h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waupun, WI

108 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Spring Valley, WI

The final approach into Spring Valley, 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 Spring Valley, 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

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 ~64 min detour Free near mile 74.3

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

$33.69 one way

$67.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$36.99	$73.98
premium	$4.89	$41.47	$82.94
diesel	$5.61	$47.58	$95.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.6	0	$22.63	$10.34
Efficient EV	53.9	0	$18.86	$8.62
EV Truck/SUV	86.2	1	$30.17	$13.79

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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Sunny

SW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:28PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:26PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

Spring Valley, WI

Afternoon in Spring Valley on Thursday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°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

30 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

4h 28m 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 Spring Valley, WI covers 215.5 miles and takes about 4h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, WI 33, State Highway 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 107.7 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 $33.69 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.

Between North La Crosse, WI and Spring Valley, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Sheboygan Falls.

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