This 175.6-mile journey from Slinger, Wisconsin, to North La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 42 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $27. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and State Highways 16 and 60, making it a convenient option for a quick trip within the Midwest. Given its manageable duration, this drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll experience a mostly uninterrupted drive through Wisconsin.
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
87.8 miles from Slinger, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 175.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
With 92% of this drive on highways, you'll find yourself on a predominantly fast-paced road. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 102.5 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While largely a highway-focused experience, you will encounter some sections on State Highways 16 and 60. This mix means you'll experience efficient travel for the majority of the trip, with brief diversions onto state routes.
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 102.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near WI 60 / West Commerce Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (WI 60 / West Commerce Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (WI 60 / East Sumner Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 60 / West Commerce Boulevard
Turn right onto WI 60 / West Commerce Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
4 mi into trip|~7m in|WI 60 / East Sumner Street
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 60 / East Sumner Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
9.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
7
131.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
173.7 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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 Slinger, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
131.7 mi in|~2h 53m|via I 90
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
102.5 mi
1h 50m
State Highway 16
22.7 mi
31m
State Highway 60
19.5 mi
29m
Highway 16 & 60
13.8 mi
18m
West Cook Street
3.7 mi
5m
East Sumner Street
3.7 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.7 mi
4m
East James Street
1.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.5 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Slinger, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Kettle Moraine Drive South
0.7 mi·1 min·Kettle Moraine Drive South
2
Turn right onto WI 60
0.5 mi·41 sec·West Commerce Boulevard
3
Continue on WI 60
2.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 60
4
Continue on WI 60
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Sumner Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 60
3.5 mi·5 min·East Sumner Street
6
Continue on WI 60
2.0 mi·2 min·State Highway 60
7
Enter roundabout onto CTH P
20 ft·0 sec·County Road P
8
Continue on CTH P
390 ft·16 sec·County Road P
9
Turn left
257 ft·18 sec
10
Turn right
0.2 mi·1 min
11
Turn right onto WI 60
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 60
12
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
14 mi·18 min·Highway 16 & 60
13
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.3 mi·42 sec·Lowell Street
14
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
1.7 mi·4 min·East James Street
15
Continue on WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
16
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
17
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·East Wisconsin Street
18
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi·5 min·West Cook Street
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
20
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 90; I 94
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi·45 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
22
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·I 90; US 53
Exit 3Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
23
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip covering 175.6 miles, consider an early morning departure from Slinger to maximize your daylight and arrive in North La Crosse with ample time. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so plan accordingly. While the total duration is under 4 hours, you might want to take one planned stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 102.5-mile stretch on I-90, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 87.8 miles from Slinger, WI, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.5 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 39 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 6m
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 Slinger, 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 Slinger, WI
This is one driving day of about 175.6 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Slinger, 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 102.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.8 mi from Slinger, WI
· 2h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 87.8 miles from Slinger, 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 102.5 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 96.9
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.45 one way
$54.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.14
$60.28
premium
$4.89
$33.79
$67.59
diesel
$5.61
$38.77
$77.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.7
0
$18.44
$8.43
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.58
$11.24
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Slinger, WI
Late night
in Slinger on Saturday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Late night
in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
2:36 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 42m 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 Slinger, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 175.6 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 16, State Highway 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.8 miles from Slinger, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.45 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (WI 60 / West Commerce Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (WI 60 / East Sumner Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Slinger, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
