Ninety minutes from Black River Falls, the Dells is the easiest family getaway around. Here's how to get the whole crew — and the pool bags — there in one vehicle.
The Wisconsin Dells is the closest thing western Wisconsin has to a built-in summer tradition. Water parks, the duck boats, mini golf, the Tommy Bartlett legacy attractions, go-karts — it's a family machine, and it's a manageable 90-minute drive down I-90/94 from Black River Falls. Which makes it perfect for either a day trip or a weekend, depending on how much you want to pack in.
The one wrinkle: a Dells trip generates a surprising amount of stuff. Pool bags, towels, sunscreen, a cooler, the stroller, the change of clothes everyone needs after the water park. If your everyday vehicle is already tight with the family in it, adding all that gear tips it over. That's where a rental from Riverside Auto Rental — the family-owned rental right here in Black River Falls — makes the trip easier.
| Your Group | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family of 4–5 | 7-Passenger Minivan | Room for the kids, the gear, and a grandparent. Sliding doors for easy loading. |
| Family of 5–7 | 7-Passenger Minivan | Three rows, all the pool bags in back. The Dells workhorse. |
| Two families together | 15-Passenger Van | Everyone rides together, parks once, walks in as a group. |
| Couple or small family | Full-Size Car, Unlimited | Plenty for 2–4 with a trunk full of beach bags. |
For most Dells trips, the 7-passenger minivan is the answer. Sliding doors make loading wet, tired kids easy; the cargo area handles the gear; and three rows mean nobody's squished. See our full minivan guide for the details.
A round trip to the Dells is about 180 miles — well over the 100-mile-per-day cap on our Local tier. So for a Dells day trip:
Our weekly rate guide has the full math if you're deciding.
Families consistently underestimate the gear a Dells trip needs. A realistic load for a family of five:
A minivan with the third row up still leaves cargo room for the bags and cooler. If you're staying a couple nights, fold one half of the third row for luggage and seat the family in the rest. That flexibility is exactly why the minivan beats a packed SUV for this trip.
Day trip: Pick up the vehicle in the morning (we open at 8 AM weekdays, 8–noon Saturday), drive down, do the parks, drive back. A car on the unlimited tier or a minivan on the daily rate both work.
Weekend: Grab the minivan Friday, return Monday. You'll have it for the drive down, getting around the Dells, and the drive home. For 3+ days, ask us to compare daily vs. weekly — it can go either way depending on your exact dates.
"We needed a 7-passenger minivan for our family trip and Riverside Auto Rental was fantastic from start to finish. Tas was extremely helpful and answered all of our questions right away. The minivan was spotless, clean, and in perfect working order — ready to go with no issues at all."
"I rented a 15-passenger van for a family trip. The van was a perfect fit for our needs. It had plenty of room for the girls, their stuff, and everything we had packed. It drove smoothly, was comfortable and clean."
Dells weekends are peak summer demand. If you're planning a specific weekend, reserve the minivan a couple weeks ahead — especially in July and August. Call 715-396-1466 with your dates and we'll set you up.
About 90 miles southeast via I-90/94 — roughly a 90-minute drive. Easy as a day trip or a base-from-home weekend.
A 7-passenger minivan for most families (3 rows, gear room, sliding doors). Two families together or a group of 8+: the 15-passenger van.
The ~180-mile round trip exceeds the 100 mi/day Local cap. Choose Unlimited on a car, or the weekly van rate (unlimited mileage included).
Yes. The minivan is $78/day + $0.10/mile or $450/week unlimited. For a 2–3 day weekend, daily usually wins; we'll run both numbers for you.
Three rows, sliding doors, real cargo space — the Dells family workhorse, in detail.
Matching the rental to the trip across western Wisconsin's favorite destinations.
How far ahead to book once you've picked your Dells weekend.
Reserve a minivan with room for the family and the gear. Call with your dates.
Call 715-396-1466