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Trip from Walworth, WI to 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

3h 53m

Distance

200.6 mi

323 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 41m ★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m

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

Downtown Walworth, WI, WI

Walworth, WI

Joaquin Carfagna

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 200.6-mile journey from Walworth, WI, to La Crosse, WI, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90, I-39, and US-14, this route offers a 95% highway experience, making it an efficient option for travelers. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, it's an economical choice for a quick trip within the Midwest. The drive is designed for steady progress, with the longest stretch covering 102.6 miles on I-90. Given its duration and highway focus, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

100.3 miles from Walworth, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 102.6 mi 1h 49m
I 39 65.8 mi 1h 10m
US 14 11.2 mi 15m
US Highway 14 6.1 mi 8m
South Walworth Street 5 mi 8m
WI 16 4.9 mi 8m
East Racine Street 1.5 mi 2m
16th Street South 0.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Walworth, WI and La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on WI 67

16 ft · 4 sec · State Highway 67
2

Turn right onto US 14

214 ft · 12 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto US 14

0.7 mi · 1 min · Madison Street
4

Continue on US 14

6.1 mi · 8 min · US Highway 14
5

Continue on US 14

5.0 mi · 8 min · South Walworth Street
6

Turn left onto US 14; WI 11

11 mi · 15 min · US 14; WI 11
7

Turn left onto WI 11

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street
8

Enter roundabout

10 ft · 0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
9

Continue

0.3 mi · 17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
10

Merge onto I 39; I 90

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

39 mi · 41 min · I 90
Exit 45 Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
14

At end of road, turn left onto WI 16

4.9 mi · 8 min · WI 16
15

Continue on Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
16

Turn right onto CTH F

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
17

Turn left onto 16th Street South

0.8 mi · 2 min · 16th Street South
18

Turn right onto Johnson Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Johnson Street
19

At end of road, turn right onto WI 35

326 ft · 11 sec · West Avenue South
20

Arrive at destination

WI 35

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 53-minute drive, starting early is a good strategy to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially since it's a single-day trip. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 102.6 miles on I-90, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly to stay comfortable. The estimated fuel cost is around $31, so ensure your tank is topped up before heading out. Given the highway-focused nature and relatively short duration, you have flexibility in when you depart and how you manage your breaks. A practical tip for this route is to check for any construction or event delays on I-90, as it's the primary artery for a significant portion of your travel.

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 100.3 miles from Walworth, WI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 44 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.3 miles or 1h 57m 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 La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Walworth, 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 Walworth, WI

This is one driving day of about 200.6 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Walworth, 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 102.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

100 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.

Popular next leg

Lake Wisconsin, WI to La Crosse, WI

125.8 mi · 2h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Cottage Grove, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Walworth, 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 102.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 24.4 and 193.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
24.4 mi into trip | ~36m in

Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
5
24.7 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 39; I 90

Merge onto I 39; I 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
90.5 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | I 90; I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
154 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
193.1 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

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

Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.36 one way

$62.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.43 $68.87
premium $4.89 $38.60 $77.21
diesel $5.61 $44.29 $88.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.2 0 $21.06 $9.63
Efficient EV 50.2 0 $17.55 $8.02
EV Truck/SUV 80.2 1 $28.08 $12.84

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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

Walworth, WI

Afternoon in Walworth on Saturday

Local time

12:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

12:57 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

21 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

3h 53m 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.

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 117.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 200.6-mile trip. With 95% of the route on major highways like I-90 and I-39, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 102.6 miles on I-90, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US-14 offers some variation as you transition. This character means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, ideal for covering ground efficiently.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 24.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 53m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 24.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 200.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 24.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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