Hurley, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 263 miles and takes about 5 hours 49 minutes via US 51 South and I-90, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a predominantly highway drive that should be straightforward for a single day of travel. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 263 miles, making it a manageable route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points.
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
131.6 miles from Hurley, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Oneida Street
71.1 mi
1h 29m
US 51 South
55.1 mi
1h 20m
I 90
41.3 mi
44m
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
State Highway 21
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Oneida Street
— 71.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hurley, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 77
99 ft·4 sec·Granite Road
2
Continue on WI 77
0.2 mi·41 sec·Silver Street
3
Turn right onto US 51
0.3 mi·49 sec·2nd Avenue South
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 51
55 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 51 South
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 51
71 mi·1 hr 29 min·Oneida Street
Use the straight lane.
6
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
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
8
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
9
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
11
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
12
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
13
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
14
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
15
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
16
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
19
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
20
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
21
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
22
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
23
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
24
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
25
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
26
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
27
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
28
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
31
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
33
Merge onto I 90
41 mi·43 min·I 90
34
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·I 90; US 53
Exit 3Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
35
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 6 hours, it's definitely a one-day trip, so you can leave anytime that suits your schedule. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight for the 263 miles. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the drive as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $41, and note that the longest stretch without a major road change is 71.1 miles, so plan your pit stops accordingly.
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 131.6 miles from Hurley, WI, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.1 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 58 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 2h 56m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hurley, 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 Hurley, WI
This is one driving day of about 263.2 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Hurley, 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 Oneida Street for about 71.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.8 and 261.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
139.3 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
153.6 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
219.6 mi into trip|~5h 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
261.4 mi into trip|~5h 45m in|I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.15 one way
$82.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.18
$90.36
premium
$4.89
$50.65
$101.30
diesel
$5.61
$58.11
$116.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79
0
$27.64
$12.63
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
EV Truck/SUV
105.3
1
$36.85
$16.84
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Hurley, WI
Morning
in Hurley on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Morning
in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 49m 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
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 172.5
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 63% of the 263 miles on major roads like US 51 South and I-90. You'll encounter one stretch of 71.1 miles on Oneida Street before reaching the main highways, which will feel like a transition from local roads to faster cruising. The majority of your time will be spent on the interstate, so anticipate a fairly continuous pace with a limited number of exits for significant stretches.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.1 mi on Oneida Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Oneida Street and US 51 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.8 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort7/10
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 263.2 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 126.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.6 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.
Between Hurley, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
126.8 mi in|~2h 51m|via I 39; US 51
Wisconsin Rapids
139.3 mi in|~3h 4m
Albert Lea
219.6 mi in|~5h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 263.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.1 miles on Oneida Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 North 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at North La Crosse, WI before the return drive.
