Origin
Silver Lake, WI
Night in Silver Lake on Friday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Silver Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
114.8 mi
185 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Lake, WI
Tom Fisk
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Silver Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 114.8 miles and takes about 2h 33m via I 90 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin for its entirety, making it a straightforward trip. It's a highway-focused journey that should be manageable for a single day of travel. You'll find the fuel costs are quite reasonable for this distance. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
57.4 miles from Silver Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 114.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 61% of it utilizing major highways like I 90. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 41.3 miles on I 90. While the majority focuses on efficient travel, the inclusion of State Highway 21 and East Follett Drive suggests a potential for a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road conditions closer to North La Crosse.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 41.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East Follett Drive. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near South Fair Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 33m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (South Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (West Division Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
South Fair Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Fair Street
Navigation decision point
3
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
West Division Street
Turn right onto West Division Street
Navigation decision point
3
68.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
71.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
6
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
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 Silver Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Albert Lea along the way.
Albert Lea
71.2 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 41.3 mi | 44m |
| East Follett Drive | 28.9 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 21 | 25.6 mi | 36m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| I 94 | 2.8 mi | 2m |
| Rose Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Division Street | 0.9 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 41.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Lake, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 21
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 21
2
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
3
Turn left onto East Division Street
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto South Fair Street
17 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Fair Street
5
Turn right onto West Division Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Division Street
6
Continue on WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
7
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
8
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
East Follett Drive
9
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
10
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
11
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
14
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
16
Merge onto I 90
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 90
17
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 90; US 53
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
18
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 33m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. Aim to depart when you feel most rested, as the 114.8-mile journey is easily completed in a single day. The longest stretch without a break is 41.3 miles on I 90, so plan your fuel and restroom stops accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before hitting that longer segment on the interstate. Since there's only one recommended stop, consider making it a brief one to maximize your time at your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.4 miles from Silver Lake, WI, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Silver Lake, 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 Silver Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 114.8 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Silver Lake, 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 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.4 mi from Silver Lake, WI · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.4 miles from Silver Lake, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in North La Crosse, WI
The final approach into North La Crosse, 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 North La Crosse, 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
$17.95 one way
$35.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.71 | $39.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.09 | $44.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.35 | $50.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.05 | $5.51 |
| Efficient EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.07 | $7.35 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
North La Crosse, WI
Night in North La Crosse on Friday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
13 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
2h 33m 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 Silver Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 114.8 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, East Follett Drive, State Highway 21. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.4 miles from Silver Lake, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 33m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (South Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (West Division Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Silver Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Albert Lea along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
North La Crosse, WI to Silver Lake, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
118.3 mi
2h 32m
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