Origin
Athens, WI
Night in Athens on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Athens, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
133.1 mi
214 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, WI
Wikimedia Commons
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Athens, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 133.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m via State Highway 27, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's easy to complete in a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for a functional way to get between these two points without much fuss. The majority of your journey will be on well-maintained state and US highways.
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
66.6 miles from Athens, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 27 | 24.6 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 97 | 24.4 mi | 41m |
| US Highway 10 | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| I 90 | 21.6 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 95 | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| County Highway E | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| North Central Avenue | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| County Road J | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 27
— 24.6 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Alfred Street
39 ft
·
7 sec
·
Alfred Street
2
Turn left onto WI 97; CTH A
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Mueller Street
3
Turn left onto WI 97; CTH A; CTH M
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Pine Street
4
Continue on WI 97; CTH A; CTH M
24 mi
·
41 min
·
State Highway 97
5
Continue on WI 97
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
North Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Enter roundabout onto South Central Avenue
109 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Central Avenue
7
Continue on South Central Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
South Central Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto US 10
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
US Highway 10
9
Continue on US 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 10
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
US Highway 10
11
Merge onto US 10
21 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 10
12
Continue on US 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
13
Turn left onto WI 73
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 73
14
Turn straight onto WI 95
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 95
15
Turn left onto CTH J
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
16
Turn left onto CTH K
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway K
17
Turn right onto CTH E
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
County Highway E
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; WI 27
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 12
19
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Water Street
20
Turn left onto US 12; WI 54; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Turn right onto US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Roosevelt Road
22
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gebhardt Road
23
Continue on WI 27
25 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 27
24
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Black River Street
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Black River Street
26
Continue on WI 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black River Street
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
28
Merge onto I 90
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 90
29
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
30
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over three hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You can depart anytime in the morning and still have plenty of daylight remaining. The longest continuous stretch on State Highway 27 is 24.6 miles, so plan your first fuel or rest stop accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as there are only a few planned stops on this journey. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility to make spontaneous stops if something catches your eye.
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 66.6 miles from Athens, WI, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.6 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 29 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m
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 Athens, 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 Athens, WI
This is one driving day of about 133.1 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Athens, 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 State Highway 27 for about 24.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.6 miles from Athens, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 131.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 97; CTH A / Mueller Street
Turn left onto WI 97; CTH A / Mueller Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 97; CTH A; CTH M / Pine Street
Turn left onto WI 97; CTH A; CTH M / Pine Street
Navigation decision point
4
30.4 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
South Central Avenue
Enter roundabout onto South Central Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
30.5 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
US 10 / US Highway 10
Enter roundabout onto US 10 / US Highway 10
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
131.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.81 one way
$41.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.85 | $45.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.61 | $51.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.39 | $58.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.98 | $6.39 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.63 | $8.52 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Night in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 14 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:47PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
31 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route utilizing major roads like State Highway 27, State Highway 97, and US Highway 10. You'll experience stretches of steady driving, including one segment of 24.6 miles solely on State Highway 27. The road character is generally consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways. Expect a reliable driving experience suited for covering ground steadily.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.6 mi on State Highway 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 27 and State Highway 97. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 97; CTH A / Mueller Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 97; CTH A / Mueller Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 97; CTH A; CTH M / Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (South Central Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 133.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.6 miles on State Highway 27. 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: near the start (WI 97; CTH A / Mueller Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 97; CTH A; CTH M / Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.4 miles (South Central Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at North La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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