Origin
Glenwood City, WI
Night in Glenwood City on Saturday
Local time
11:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glenwood City, 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 54m
Distance
127.5 mi
205 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glenwood City, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Glenwood City to La Crosse is 127.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 54 minutes via US 61, US 14, and State Highway 25, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. Expect a route that is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for a quick journey without extensive planning. It’s a practical choice for getting between these two Wisconsin locations efficiently.
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
63.7 miles from Glenwood City, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 30.2 mi | 36m |
| US 14 | 28.8 mi | 36m |
| State Highway 25 | 16.1 mi | 22m |
| State Road 25 | 15.3 mi | 22m |
| I 94 | 12.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 128 | 9.3 mi | 13m |
| North Broadway Street | 3.4 mi | 8m |
| Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 30.2 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood City, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 170
46 ft
·
6 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto WI 128
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Oak Street
3
Continue on WI 128
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 128
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 128
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 128
5
Continue on WI 128
484 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Highway 128
6
Enter roundabout
290 ft
·
5 sec
7
Continue
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 94
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 41
Toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
10
Keep slight right at fork
138 ft
·
5 sec
11
Turn right onto WI 25; CTH J
3.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Broadway Street
12
Continue on WI 25
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 25
13
Continue on WI 25; CTH Y
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road Y
14
Continue on WI 25
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 25
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 10; WI 25
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 10
16
Turn slight right
417 ft
·
22 sec
17
Continue on East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Main Street
18
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue East
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
2nd Avenue East
19
Turn right onto WI 25
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Prospect Street
20
Continue on WI 25
13 mi
·
19 min
·
State Road 25
21
At end of road, turn left onto WI 25; WI 35
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
State Road 25-35
22
Continue on WI 25; WI 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
23
Continue on WI 25
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Road 25
24
Continue on WI 25
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
State Highway 25
25
Continue on WI 25
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
26
Continue on MN 60
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
MN 60
27
At end of road, turn left onto MN 60
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
4th Grant Boulevard West
28
Turn right onto MN 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Pembroke Avenue
29
Continue on US 61; MN 60
30 mi
·
36 min
·
US 61; MN 60
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 14; US 61
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
31
Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61
162 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 14;US 61
32
Continue on US 14; US 61
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
US 14;US 61
33
Continue on US 14; US 61
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 14; US 61
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 14; US 61
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 14; US 61
36
Turn left onto US 14; US 61; MN 16
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
37
Continue on US 14; US 61; WI 16
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 14; US 61; WI 16
38
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
39
Merge onto US 14; US 61
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street South
40
Continue on US 14; US 61
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Avenue
41
Turn left onto Adams Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Adams Street
42
Turn left onto WI 35
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Avenue South
43
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour 54-minute drive time, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in La Crosse with ample time to explore. The drive is manageable in a single day, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $20, and it’s always wise to top up before embarking on longer stretches. A specific tip for this route: be aware that US 61 is your longest continuous road segment at 30.2 miles; plan your stops before or after this section if you prefer more frequent breaks.
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 63.7 miles from Glenwood City, WI, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.2 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 32m 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 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 Glenwood City, 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 Glenwood City, WI
This is one driving day of about 127.5 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Glenwood City, 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 61 for about 30.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.7 miles from Glenwood City, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 9.5 and 45.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
22.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 41
Toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
5
22.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
43.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
US 10; WI 25 / US Highway 10
At end of road, turn left onto US 10; WI 25 / US Highway 10
Navigation decision point
5
45.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
2nd Avenue East
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue East
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.93 one way
$39.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.89 | $43.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.54 | $49.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.39 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.16 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
11:46 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
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
2h 54m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches primarily on US 61, US 14, and State Highway 25. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll navigate is 30.2 miles on US 61, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While largely highway, be prepared for the character of these roads to vary, providing a mix of driving experiences. The overall impression is one of forward momentum and efficient travel.
78% 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: 30.2 mi on US 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and US 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 127.5 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 9.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Glenwood City, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Barron along the way.
Barron
22.7 mi in
|
~28m
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 54m. Total distance: 127.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.2 miles on US 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 9.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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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