Origin
Beloit, WI
Late night in Beloit on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beloit, WI to 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
2h 59m
Distance
190 mi
306 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beloit, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 190-mile journey from Beloit, Wisconsin, to La Crosse, Wisconsin, a drive that typically takes about 3 hours. This trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll navigate using a combination of Highway 51, I-90 West, and WI-16, with a highway share of 0%, indicating a more local driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $29. Given the relatively short duration and the nature of the roads, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous getaway within the Midwest.
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
95 miles from Beloit, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 51 | — | — |
| I 90 West | — | — |
| WI 16 | — | — |
| Losey Boulevard North | — | — |
| Main Street | — | — |
| 16th Street South | — | — |
| Johnson Street | — | — |
| West Avenue South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 51
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beloit, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on South Riverside Drive
5.5 mi
·
10 min
·
South Riverside Drive
2
Continue on South US Highway 51
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South US Highway 51
3
Turn right
2.5 mi
·
3 min
4
Take the exit slight left
17 mi
·
18 min
5
Continue straight
52 mi
·
55 min
6
Keep slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
8
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
9
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi
·
8 min
10
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
11
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
12
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
13
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
14
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
325 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 190-mile drive, a single day is more than sufficient, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight hours and allow ample time for the approximately 3-hour journey. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $29, this trip is budget-friendly and doesn't require extensive planning. Keep an eye on your GPS for the various transitions onto Highway 51, I-90 West, and WI-16, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying on course is key to reaching La Crosse efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95 miles from Beloit, WI, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
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 42 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
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 Beloit, 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 Beloit, WI
This is one driving day of about 190 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Beloit, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95 miles from Beloit, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.70 one way
$59.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.61 | $65.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.56 | $73.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.95 | $83.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57 | 0 | $19.95 | $9.12 |
| Efficient EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.63 | $7.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76 | 0 | $26.60 | $12.16 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:44 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
18 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
2h 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive, meaning you won't encounter long stretches of monotonous interstate. With a 0% highway share, expect to be engaged with frequent turns and varying road conditions as you travel through Wisconsin. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a continuous need for attention and navigation rather than extended periods of cruising. The roads will likely shift in character as you move from smaller towns to more rural landscapes.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Highway 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Beloit, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 2h 59m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Beloit, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
About the Cities
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →La Crosse is a city in the Coulee Region of Southwest Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. It is the county seat of La Crosse County. It's nestled between the river and picturesque bluffs that rise behind it. With a city population of around 50,000 and the metropolitan area just under 100,000, La Crosse offers visitors plenty of activities to do and sights to see, without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 190 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Beloit, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at La Crosse, WI before heading back.
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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