Spanning 238.8 miles across the Wisconsin landscape, this journey from Conover to La Crosse typically takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, the drive is straightforward enough for those comfortable with regional travel. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this trip provides a solid, direct connection across the state.
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
117.7 miles from Conover, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
46.3 mi
53m
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
State Highway 17
17.9 mi
24m
Victory Road
15.2 mi
22m
I 39
12.5 mi
13m
US 8
11.6 mi
15m
US 45
10.4 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 46.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Conover, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on US 45; WI 32
7.3 mi·10 min·US 45; WI 32
2
Continue on US 45; WI 17; WI 32
3.0 mi·6 min·US 45; WI 17; WI 32
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Take the exit onto WI 17
2.0 mi·4 min·WI 17
Toward WI 17Use the slight right lane.
4
Continue on WI 17
18 mi·24 min·State Highway 17
5
Continue on WI 17
0.7 mi·1 min·North Stevens Street
6
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·19 sec
7
Continue on North Stevens Street
2.2 mi·4 min·North Stevens Street
8
Turn right onto West Davenport Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West Davenport Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto WI 47
0.2 mi·27 sec·State Highway 47
10
Enter roundabout onto US 8
26 ft·1 sec·US Highway 8
11
Continue on US 8
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 8
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 8
12 mi·15 min·US 8
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto US 51
46 mi·53 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
13 mi·13 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
17
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
18
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
20
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
21
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
22
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
23
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
24
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
25
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
27
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
28
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
29
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
30
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
31
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
32
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
33
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
34
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
35
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
36
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
37
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
40
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
41
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
42
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
44
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
45
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
46
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
47
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
48
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
49
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
50
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 20 minute duration, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Starting your trip early in the morning is your best bet to navigate the local roads while visibility is at its peak. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you are traveling on local routes where service stations may be spaced differently than on major interstates. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is prepared for consistent handling rather than high-speed cruising. Flexibility is a major advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to match the rhythm of these winding local roads.
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 117.7 miles from Conover, WI, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 52 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.7 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
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 Conover, 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 Conover, WI
This is one driving day of about 235.4 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Conover, 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 US 51 for about 46.3 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.4 and 123 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.4 mi into trip|~17m in|WI 17
Take the exit onto WI 17 toward WI 17
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WI 17
6
33.2 mi into trip|~51m in|West Davenport Street
Turn right onto West Davenport Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
96.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
6
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
6
123 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapid...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.80 one way
$73.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.41
$80.81
premium
$4.89
$45.30
$90.60
diesel
$5.61
$51.97
$103.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.6
0
$24.72
$11.30
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.60
$9.42
EV Truck/SUV
94.2
1
$32.96
$15.07
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Conover, WI
Night
in Conover on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Night
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
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
6 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
5h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via US 45, WI 17, and Highway 17, as the route contains zero percent highway share. Since there are no long, monotonous stretches on US 45, you should anticipate a constant need for focus as you transition through various local road segments. This is a hands-on driving experience where the road's personality changes frequently, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. It is a far cry from a mindless interstate commute, offering a more localized perspective of the Wisconsin terrain.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.4 miles in near WI 17.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 235.4 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 10.4 miles (WI 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Conover, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
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 5h 17m. Total distance: 235.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on US 51. 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 10.4 miles (WI 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Crosse, WI before the return drive.
