Wisconsin River Panoramic Road

Embark on a memorable journey along the Wisconsin River Panoramic Road, beginning in Portage and ending in Prairie du Chien. Along the way, you will pass through Sauk City and Kenosha, both of which boast a wealth of attractions. In Sauk City, you can explore the historic downtown area, take a stroll along the waterfront, and enjoy the local cuisine. In Kenosha, a visit to the North Point Lighthouse and the Kenosha Public Museum are a must. The entire trip is 189 km and should take around one day to complete. The best time of year to drive this route is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the roads are in good condition. This adventure is suitable for all types of drivers and can be managed on a moderate budget.

Portage is an ideal starting point for the Wisconsin River Panoramic Road and offers a wealth of attractions for visitors. Located just south of the Wisconsin Dells and Wisconsin River, Portage is a vibrant city full of history, culture, and outdoor activities. The city is home to many historical sites, including the Indian Agency House and the World War II home of General Douglas MacArthur. The city also offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and camping. For those looking to explore the area, the nearby Devil’s Lake State Park is a great option. For those traveling by air, the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is the closest international airport. Car rentals are also available at the airport for those looking to explore the area by car. The Wisconsin River Panoramic Road is an ideal way to discover the beauty of Portage and the surrounding area. It offers visitors a chance to explore the history, culture, and natural beauty of the region. A visit to Portage is sure to be a memorable experience.

Embark on an amazing road trip from Portage to Sauk City, two charming cities in Wisconsin. This 31mi journey will take you less than an hour. Start your journey in Portage, where you can explore the Columbia County Historical Society Museum, a great place to learn about the history of the area. You can also take a walk in the peaceful Portage Canal Park, and admire the beautiful lake views. Continue your journey towards Sauk City, where you can visit the historic Sauk City Opera House, a great place to learn about the performing arts. You can also explore the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, an ideal spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, and hiking. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Welcome, road-trippers! This stage of your journey will take you through the beautiful landscapes of Sauk City and Kenosha, located about 50mi apart and connected by a driving route that takes less than 1 hour. Start your adventure in Sauk City and make sure to visit the Wisconsin State Capitol, the iconic symbol of democracy in the state. After that, you can explore the Circus World Museum, the place where the history of the circus comes alive. Continue your journey to Kenosha and don't forget to visit the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, a great place for families to learn about the prehistoric world. If you are looking for outdoor activities, take a stroll in the Southport Beach Park, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Finally, make sure to visit the Kenosha Public Museum, a great place to learn about the city's history. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" section of this stage. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Kenosha to Prairie du Chien? This 36-mile drive will take you less than an hour and will be a great addition to your larger tour! Start your journey in Kenosha and make sure to visit the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, where you can learn about the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the area. Afterwards, take a stroll along Lake Michigan and enjoy the stunning views of the lake and the city skyline. When you arrive in Prairie du Chien, make sure to check out the Villa Louis Historic Site, a Victorian-era mansion with a beautiful garden. You can also admire the stunning views of the Mississippi River from the St Feriole Island Park. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the “Itinerary” of this stage. Have a great road trip!

Prairie du Chien is a charming small town in Wisconsin, USA, located at the end of the Wisconsin River Panoramic Road. It is a great destination for a road trip, offering a variety of sights and activities to explore. The city is known for its historical sites, such as the Fort Crawford Museum, the Villa Louis Historic Site, and the Wyalusing State Park. These sites offer a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture. Visitors to the Fort Crawford Museum can learn about the fort's history and view artifacts from the time of its use. The Villa Louis Historic Site is a Victorian mansion located near the Mississippi River, and offers tours and an interactive history experience. The Wyalusing State Park is a great spot for outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping. In addition to its historical attractions, Prairie du Chien is home to a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Visitors can find unique shops and restaurants, as well as live music and theater. The city also hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE). From there, it is a short drive to Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien is the perfect destination to end your Wisconsin River Panoramic Road trip. With its rich history, outdoor activities, and plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, it is a great place to explore and enjoy.

No doubt our trip will become an ideal inspiration for your future travels.
It is a ready-made opportunity that can be effortlessly turned into a complete itinerary – you can do virtually anything you’d like.
If travelling by car is your plan when exploring highlights around Wisconsin, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a bunch of things to keep in mind to make your road adventure smooth. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who are considering renting a vehicle or camper rental in Wisconsin.
It is vital to pay attention to the local road regulations when on a road trip around Wisconsin. Alcohol is best to be avoided at all if Wisconsin is your holiday destination. Drivers should remember that the legal alcohol limit is not very high and cannot exceed 0.5‰. The maximum speed when driving around the urban areas is 40km/h. Around rural areas, travellers can travel at at speeds up to 72km/h. When driving along highways, you cannot exceed the maximum car speed of 129km/h. Having a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime greatly increase your safety.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip. Of course, depending on the budget option that interests you, the amount of money that you have to spend on your trip expenses may vary. Let’s have a look at the budget options.
In the cheapest option, you have to spend the maximum of 25 EUR on gasoline to cover the planned 189km across Wisconsin. Holidaymakers will have to pay the average of up to 77 EUR for budget overnight stays. Holidayers who opt for this option will spend roughly 72 EUR on restaurants and food. If you also aim for the economy car hire offer, you will pay around 45 EUR. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to more or less 174 EUR without car hire and 219 EUR with car rental.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 25 EUR to cover the planned mileage of the adventure. Cost amounting to 121 EUR can be expected by all tourists who are searching for standard accommodation options. The standard option in terms of food and restaurants may cost up to roughly 108 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental car should expect a cost of more or less 54 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay roughly 321 EUR for the whole trip, whereas those who are not interested in car rental will spend more or less 267 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will come up to the expectations of the most demanding drivers. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay more or less 482 EUR for the whole itinerary, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle hire will spend about 392 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire car should expect a cost of around 90 EUR. If you are interested in the highest comfort of the tour, the approximate cost of gasoline for 4 stages around Wisconsin will be 50 EUR. Holidaymakers who will go for top services in all aspects of their trip should expect to pay around 198 EUR for overnight stays and more or less 144 EUR for food and restaurants.
Wisconsin River Panoramic Road is also an exciting opportunity for all camper fans. If you are considering this transport option, the expenses are roughly 225 EUR. Camper enthusiasts will spend approximately 50 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the tour. Travellers who will go for camper hire should expect to pay approximately 55 EUR for accommodation and more or less 72 EUR for expenses connected with food.
You can check all of the details in the section Road Trip Costs.
There are multiple intriguing journeys that are available on our website if Wisconsin River Panoramic Road has inspired you. We hope that the great diversity of trips will definitely meet the expectations of the most demanding tourists.