Origin
Farmington, WI
Night in Farmington on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Farmington, 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
3h 20m
Distance
171.6 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Farmington, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 171.6-mile drive from Farmington to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in one day, with an estimated travel time of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90 and I-94, with a short segment on WI 16, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a quick and efficient trip. Budget around $27 for fuel, and expect a smooth ride with minimal diversions. Given its manageable distance and highway focus, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Both Farmington and La Crosse are situated in the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.
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
85.8 miles from Farmington, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 94 | 55 mi | 58m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| County Road B | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| WI 26 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmington, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH B
4.6 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road B
2
Continue on CTH B
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Milwaukee Street
3
Turn sharp right onto WI 26
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 26
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
this road
6
Merge onto I 94
26 mi
·
27 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
11
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
12
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
13
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
15
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
17
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 20-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to take full advantage of your day in La Crosse. With only one suggested stop and 95% highway driving, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 102.6-mile stretch on I-90, and utilize the service areas available along the interstates. The $27 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to factor in a little extra for unexpected needs. Given the relatively short duration, you won't need to split this trip with an overnight stay.
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 85.8 miles from Farmington, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 38m
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 Farmington, 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 Farmington, WI
This is one driving day of about 171.6 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Farmington, 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 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.8 miles from Farmington, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.6 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 164.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
32.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
164.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m 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
$26.83 one way
$53.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.46 | $58.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.02 | $66.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.89 | $75.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.02 | $8.24 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.02 | $10.98 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Night in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
11:26 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
22 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
3h 20m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 88.8
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a highway-focused experience, as 95% of this 171.6-mile route consists of interstate driving. You'll spend most of your time on I-90, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 102.6 miles. This means consistent speed limits and straightforward navigation for the majority of your journey. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of WI 16 offers a brief change of scenery before you merge back onto the main arteries. The road generally maintains a high-speed profile, so plan for minimal slowdowns unless traffic dictates otherwise.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 171.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Farmington, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.
Eau Claire
32.4 mi in
|
~42m
|
via I 94
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 3h 20m. Total distance: 171.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 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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