This 200.8-mile drive from Cato to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a manageable one-day adventure. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 37 minutes on the road, primarily using I-90, State Highway 82, and State Highway 23. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this trip offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The highway-focused profile means you'll cover a lot of ground efficiently, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. You'll remain within the state of Wisconsin for the entire trip, offering a consistent regional experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.4 miles from Cato, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
62.7 mi
1h 7m
State Highway 82
28.1 mi
41m
State Highway 23
25.2 mi
36m
US Highway 10
24.9 mi
34m
State Highway 44
14.8 mi
21m
I 41
14 mi
14m
WI 16
4.9 mi
8m
State Highway 23 & 49
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cato, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on US 10
4.3 mi·5 min·US Highway 10
2
Continue on US 10
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 10
4.9 mi·6 min·US Highway 10
4
Continue on US 10
2.1 mi·4 min·East Ryan Street
5
Turn left onto Hacker Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Hacker Road
6
Turn right onto Bastian Road
0.2 mi·53 sec·Bastian Road
7
Turn left onto US 10
3.1 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
8
Enter roundabout onto US 10
122 ft·6 sec·US Highway 10
9
Continue on US 10
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 10
10
Enter roundabout onto US 10
135 ft·7 sec·US Highway 10
11
Continue on US 10
2.0 mi·2 min·US Highway 10
12
Enter roundabout onto US 10
107 ft·6 sec·US Highway 10
13
Continue on US 10
4.2 mi·5 min·US Highway 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on WI 114
1.8 mi·4 min·Plank Road
15
Continue on WI 114
0.8 mi·1 min·3rd Street
16
Turn left onto WI 114
0.5 mi·41 sec·Tayco Street
17
Continue on WI 114
0.3 mi·32 sec·Washington Street
18
Continue on WI 114
0.9 mi·1 min·North Commercial Street
19
Turn right onto WI 114
1.0 mi·1 min·Winneconne Avenue
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
123 ft·2 sec·Winneconne Avenue
21
Continue on WI 114
321 ft·5 sec·Winneconne Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
137 ft·2 sec·Winneconne Avenue
23
Continue on WI 114
0.2 mi·29 sec·Winneconne Avenue
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
25
Merge onto I 41; US 41
14 mi·14 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 116Toward WI 44, WI 91Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
183 ft·4 sec
28
Turn right onto WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi·1 min·Ripon Rd
29
Continue on WI 44
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 44
30
Continue on East Oshkosh Street
1.5 mi·4 min·East Oshkosh Street
31
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi·2 min·West Fond du Lac Street
32
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 23 & 49
33
Turn straight onto WI 23; CTH A
9.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
0.7 mi·1 min·South Fulton Street
35
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D; CTH J
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
36
Turn left
150 ft·2 sec
37
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi·42 sec·South 2nd Street
38
Continue on State Highway 23
9.9 mi·14 min·State Highway 23
39
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi·57 sec·East Montello Street
40
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Montello Street
41
Turn slight right onto WI 23; CTH C
1.8 mi·2 min·Underwood Avenue
42
Continue on WI 23
6.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 23
43
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 82
44
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi·1 min·East Ormsby Street
45
Continue on WI 82
25 mi·36 min·State Highway 82
46
Keep slight right at fork
278 ft·5 sec
47
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
48
Merge onto I 90; I 94
24 mi·25 min·I 90; I 94
49
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi·41 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
50
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
51
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
52
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
53
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
54
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
55
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
56
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
57
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 37-minute duration, departing in the morning from Cato will comfortably get you to La Crosse with plenty of daylight remaining. While the longest stretch without a major road change is 62.7 miles on I-90, plan for a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is budget-friendly, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before leaving Cato. Given the relatively short driving time, you have flexibility for spontaneous photo opportunities or a quick picnic lunch.
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 100.4 miles from Cato, WI, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.4 miles or 2h 28m 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 50m
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 Cato, 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 Cato, WI
This is one driving day of about 200.8 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Cato, 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 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 193.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.1 mi into trip|~25m in|US 10 / US Highway 10
Enter roundabout onto US 10 / US Highway 10
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
34.1 mi into trip|~53m in|WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
48.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward WI 44, WI 91
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 116
Toward WI 44, WI 91
7
154.1 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
193.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
$31.39 one way
$62.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.47
$68.94
premium
$4.89
$38.64
$77.28
diesel
$5.61
$44.33
$88.67
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: 70.3 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
$21.08
$9.64
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.57
$8.03
EV Truck/SUV
80.3
1
$28.11
$12.85
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
Cato, WI
Late night
in Cato on Sunday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:32 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
25 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
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 103.9
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 62.7 miles on I-90, providing a consistent pace. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of State Highway 82 and State Highway 23 offers some variation in the driving experience. This blend allows for a mix of efficient travel and slightly more varied scenery as you transition between interstates and state highways. Overall, expect a drive characterized by forward momentum.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in near US 10 / US Highway 10.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 200.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.1 miles (US 10 / US Highway 10): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 34.1 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 200.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at La Crosse, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.1 miles (US 10 / US Highway 10): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 34.1 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
