Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Kiel, WI to La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
203.8 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kiel, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kiel to La Crosse covers 200.7 miles across the Wisconsin landscape. Expect roughly 3 hours and 31 minutes of travel time, making this a very manageable one-day journey for most drivers. Since this is an inland Midwest route, you will stay entirely within the state of Wisconsin for the duration of the trip. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs, provided you keep your vehicle's efficiency in mind. Because the trip is relatively short, you can comfortably complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. It is a straightforward trek that connects two distinct parts of the state, serving as a practical way to traverse the region.
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
101.9 miles from Kiel, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| US 151 | 27.6 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 33 | 27.2 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 23 | 15.7 mi | 18m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| East Cook Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 67 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,282 veh/hr typical · worst 1,894
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kiel, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 32; WI 57
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Fremont Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32; WI 57
449 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 1st Street
3
Turn slight left onto WI 32; WI 57
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Water Street
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 67
23 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 67
5
Continue on WI 67
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 67
6
Turn right onto CTH MM
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road MM
7
At end of road, turn left onto CTH J
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road J
8
Turn right onto CTH P
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road P
9
Continue on CTH A; CTH P
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A/P
10
At end of road, turn right onto CTH A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
11
Turn slight left onto CTH A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Street
12
Take the ramp onto CTH A
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
CTH A
13
Merge onto WI 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on WI 23
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
15
Enter roundabout onto WI 23
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Johnson Street
16
Continue on WI 23
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Johnson Street
17
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 151
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 151
19
Turn right onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
20
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
County Road A
21
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East State Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 68
23
Continue on WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Street
24
Continue on WI 33; CTH A
27 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 33
25
Continue on WI 33
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cook Street
26
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
27
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
30
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
31
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
32
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
33
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
34
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
35
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
36
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Since you are navigating a turn-heavy local path, leave during daylight hours to ensure you can easily manage the frequent transitions between local streets and highways. Planning for at least one stop is a smart move to stretch your legs and break up the 3-hour and 31-minute drive. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on local roads like Highway 67 means there are more intersections and turns than you would encounter on a typical interstate route. Flexibility is your best asset here; because the drive is only about 200 miles, you have the freedom to adjust your pace without the pressure of a rigid schedule. Before you depart, verify your fuel levels, as the $30 budget assumes consistent driving conditions on these 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 101.9 miles from Kiel, WI, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 30m
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 Kiel, 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 Kiel, WI
This is one driving day of about 203.8 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Kiel, 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 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 101.9 miles from Kiel, 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 99.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 196.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
CTH J / County Road J
At end of road, turn left onto CTH J / County Road J
Navigation decision point
6
12.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge onto WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
157.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
196.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m 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
$30.10 one way
$60.19 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $33.23 | $66.45 |
| premium | $4.72 | $37.84 | $75.68 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.40 | $9.78 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.83 | $8.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.53 | $13.04 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Kiel, WI
Morning in Kiel on Monday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Smoke
NE 1 to 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Monday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
4 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 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.
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 119.5
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that favors backroads over high-speed transit. You will navigate via South 1st Street, East Water Street, and Highway 67, which means you should expect a 0% highway share. This lack of interstate travel defines the personality of the route, as you will be dealing with frequent turns and local traffic patterns rather than cruising at high speeds. The experience behind the wheel is hands-on and requires constant attention compared to a standard highway haul. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major expressways, the character of the drive remains consistent, keeping you off the main interstates for the entire 200.7-mile distance.
88% 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: 99.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 151. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near CTH J / County Road J.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 20 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point; at 12.2 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,000 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
550 ft
Total Descent
800 ft
Highest Point
1,000 ft
~14.6 mi in
Elevation Range
332 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Kiel, WI
Full guide →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 17m. Total distance: 203.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point; at 12.2 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.1 miles: 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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