Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Wausaukee, WI

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

262.3 mi

422 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 15m ★

6 AM

5h 29m

8 AM

5h 55m

10 AM

5h 38m

12 PM

5h 35m

3 PM

5h 39m

5 PM

5h 54m

8 PM

5h 21m

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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North La Crosse, WI

Tom Fisk

Wausaukee, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Wausaukee, WI covers 262.3 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 41, I 90, US 141 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.4 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.84 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

131.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 28m highway drive covering 262.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.4 miles on I 41.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 70.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 67.6 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

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

67.6 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | State Highway 82

At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82

Navigation decision point

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

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

219.7 mi into trip | ~4h 33m in | US 141

Keep slight left at fork onto US 141 toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 187 Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain

Towns Along This Route

Between North La Crosse, WI and Wausaukee, WI, road signs point toward Oxford, Appleton and Iron Mountain.

Oxford

67.1 mi in | ~1h 13m

Appleton

149.3 mi in | ~3h 18m | via I 41; US 41

Iron Mountain

219.7 mi in | ~4h 33m | via US 141

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 41	70.4 mi	1h 15m
I 90	51.9 mi	55m
US 141	42.6 mi	54m
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

Longest stretch: I 41 — 70.4 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Wausaukee, 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

52 mi · 55 min · I 90

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 69 Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford

Turn left onto State Highway 82

130 ft · 5 sec · State Highway 82

Continue on State Highway 82

0.2 mi · 17 sec · State Highway 82

At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82

29 ft · 0 sec · State Highway 82

Continue on WI 82

25 mi · 36 min · State Highway 82

Continue on WI 82

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Ormsby Street

Continue on WI 82

3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 82

Continue on State Highway 23

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23

Continue on WI 23

1.8 mi · 2 min · Underwood Avenue

Continue on WI 23; CTH C

0.2 mi · 17 sec · West Montello Street

Continue on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C

0.6 mi · 50 sec · East Montello Street

Continue on WI 23

9.9 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23

Continue on WI 23

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South 2nd Street

Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Fulton Street

Continue on WI 23; WI 73

9.5 mi · 13 min · State Highway 23 & 73

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 23; WI 49

3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 23 & 49

Continue on WI 23; WI 49

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Fond du Lac Street

Turn left onto CTH FF

403 ft · 15 sec · North Union Street

Turn straight onto West Oshkosh Street

1.4 mi · 4 min · West Oshkosh Street

Keep slight left at fork onto East Oshkosh Street

263 ft · 8 sec · East Oshkosh Street

Continue on WI 44

15 mi · 21 min · State Highway 44

Continue on WI 44; WI 91

0.8 mi · 1 min · Ripon Rd

Continue on WI 44; WI 91

0.2 mi · 21 sec · State Highway 44/91

Turn left

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Toward I-41_North: Appleton

Merge onto I 41; US 41

70 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 41; US 41

Toward Appleton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 141

43 mi · 54 min · US 141

Exit 187 Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain

Turn left

31 ft · 7 sec

Turn left

20 ft · 1 sec

Arrive at 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 131.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 131.2 miles or 2h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wausaukee, 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 262.3 miles and 5h 28m.

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 41 for about 70.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 131.2 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 2h 48m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

131 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 131.2 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 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.4 miles.

Arriving in Wausaukee, WI

The final approach into Wausaukee, 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 Wausaukee, 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...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 90.5

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

$39.84 one way

$79.68 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$43.92	$87.84
premium	$4.80	$49.52	$99.03
diesel	$5.64	$58.27	$116.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.7	0	$27.54	$12.59
Efficient EV	65.6	0	$22.95	$10.49
EV Truck/SUV	104.9	1	$36.72	$16.79

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in North La Crosse on Monday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:23AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 13 at 11:16AM CDT until April 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

Destination

Wausaukee, WI

Afternoon in Wausaukee on Monday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 2 to 7 mph 22% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:23AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 13 at 11:16AM CDT until April 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

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

7 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

5h 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 Wausaukee, WI covers 262.3 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 41, I 90, US 141. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 131.2 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 $39.84 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 5h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Between North La Crosse, WI and Wausaukee, WI, road signs point toward Oxford, Appleton and Iron Mountain.

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Return Trip

Wausaukee, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

262.4 mi 5h 28m

Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Wausaukee, WI.

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Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Wausaukee, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Wausaukee, WI

National Parks Near This Route

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

North La Crosse, WI

Wausaukee, WI

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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