Origin
Hazelhurst, WI
Morning in Hazelhurst on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hazelhurst, WI to La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
205.4 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hazelhurst, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hazelhurst to La Crosse is 205.4 miles and takes about 4h 28m via US 51 and I-90, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Wisconsin drive takes you through the Midwest region, transitioning from northern woodlands to more rolling terrain as you approach the Mississippi River. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that makes for a solid day drive. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making it a practical option for getting between these two points without much fuss.
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
102.7 miles from Hazelhurst, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 66.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 90 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| Victory Road | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| I 39 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 21 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hazelhurst, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on US 51
66 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
US 51
Use the straight lane.
2
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
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
4
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
5
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 34
6
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 34
7
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 34
8
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
WI 34
9
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 10
10
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
WI 34
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
11
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Victory Road
12
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft
·
3 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
14
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
15
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin River Drive
16
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Letendre Avenue
17
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 54
18
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G
19
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 173
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 80
21
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 173
22
Continue on WI 173
24 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 173
23
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 21
24
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
27
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
29
Merge onto I 90
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 90
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
31
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
32
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
33
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
34
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
35
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
36
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
37
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated drive time, leaving Hazelhurst in the morning should allow you to reach La Crosse with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and 87% highway travel, you can easily cover this distance without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is over 66 miles on US 51. Planning your fuel stops accordingly will make for a smoother trip.
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 102.7 miles from Hazelhurst, WI, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 8m 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 Hazelhurst, 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 Hazelhurst, WI
This is one driving day of about 205.4 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Hazelhurst, 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 66.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Hazelhurst, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.2 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 66.2 and 197.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m 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
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
93 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m 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...
6
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
197.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m 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
$32.11 one way
$64.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.53 | $79.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.35 | $90.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.57 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.97 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.76 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Morning in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
21 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 28m 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 113.3
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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 205.4-mile journey, with 87% of your travel occurring on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 51, including a longest stretch of 66.2 miles, before merging onto I-90. This means you'll experience consistent speeds for much of the route, with fewer turns and stops. The character is less about winding backroads and more about efficient travel across the state.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.2 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 66.2 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 205.4 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 66.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles (WI 34): 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 Hazelhurst, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
66.2 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via I 39; US 51
Wisconsin Rapids
78.7 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Albert Lea
159 mi in
|
~3h 30m
About the Cities
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →Founded 1842
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.
Top landmarks
- • St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
- • La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
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 28m. Total distance: 205.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m 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 66.2 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 66.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles (WI 34): 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 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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