Origin
Cicero, WI
Night in Cicero on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cicero, 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
4h 23m
Distance
184.8 mi
297 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cicero, WI
MART PRODUCTION
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cicero to La Crosse is 184.8 miles and takes about 4h 23m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip that's ideal for a single day's travel, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. You'll primarily be on interstates, so expect an efficient journey with minimal fuss. Consider this route when you need to get from point A to point B without many detours.
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
92.4 miles from Cicero, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| East Follett Drive | 28.9 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 22 | 24.5 mi | 36m |
| State Highway 21 | 23.4 mi | 32m |
| WI 54 | 17.6 mi | 25m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 22/54/110 | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 47 | 5.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cicero, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Cicero Road
71 ft
·
8 sec
·
Cicero Road
2
Turn left onto CTH X
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road X
3
Turn right onto CTH VV
2.9 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road VV
4
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 47
5
Continue on WI 47
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Main Street
6
Turn right onto WI 54
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
West State Street
7
Continue on WI 54
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 54
8
Continue on WI 54
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Rexford Avenue
9
Continue on WI 54; WI 76
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Avenue
10
Continue on WI 54; CTH M
18 mi
·
25 min
·
WI 54; CTH M
11
Continue on WI 22; WI 54; WI 110
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 22/54/110
12
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street
72 ft
·
1 sec
·
Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
13
Continue on Royalton Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
14
Continue on School Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
School Street
15
Turn slight left onto Lake Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Lake Street
16
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Main Street
17
Turn right onto Lakeside Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeside Parkway
18
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
493 ft
·
8 sec
·
WI 22; CTH K
19
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 22
20
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Western Avenue South
21
Continue on WI 22
24 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 22
22
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Main Street
23
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
24
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Bird Avenue
25
Turn left onto WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
26
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
27
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
East Follett Drive
28
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
29
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
30
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
33
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
35
Merge onto I 90
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 90
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
37
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
38
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
39
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
40
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
41
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
42
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
43
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
With a drive time of around 4 hours and 23 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive well before evening. Since the longest stretch without a major turn is 38.1 miles on I 90, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the relatively short distance and efficient route, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $29, so topping up before you leave Cicero is a good idea.
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 92.4 miles from Cicero, WI, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 41 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 2h 21m 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 40m
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 Cicero, 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 Cicero, WI
This is one driving day of about 184.8 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Cicero, 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 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.4 miles from Cicero, 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 184.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
WI 47 / State Highway 47
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47 / State Highway 47
Navigation decision point
5
42 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
Royalton Street
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street toward CTH K
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward CTH K
6
138.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
6
177.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m 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
5
184.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.89 one way
$57.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.72 | $63.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.56 | $71.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.80 | $81.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
| Efficient EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.17 | $7.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.87 | $11.83 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
La Crosse, WI
Night in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
92 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 23m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 89.2
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 70% of the route utilizing major highways like I 90. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 38.1 miles on I 90. While mostly high-speed, the inclusion of State Highway 22 and East Follett Drive means you'll encounter some variation from the interstate. The road profile suggests a generally consistent driving experience, best suited for those prioritizing reaching their destination efficiently.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East Follett Drive. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near WI 47 / State Highway 47.
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 184.8 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 3.9 miles (WI 47 / State Highway 47): Navigation decision point; at 42 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cicero, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth K and Albert Lea.
Cth K
42 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via Royalton Street
Albert Lea
138.4 mi in
|
~3h 25m
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 4h 23m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 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.
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: at 3.9 miles (WI 47 / State Highway 47): Navigation decision point; at 42 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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