La Crosse, WI to Angelica, WI is 196.5 miles and takes about 4h 30m via I 90 and State Highways 21/54, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, primarily highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single-day journey. You'll find it a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
98.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
55.1 mi
59m
State Highway 21
41.3 mi
57m
State Highway 54
29 mi
42m
State Highway 22
24.6 mi
36m
State Highway 55
10.2 mi
13m
State Highway 80
9.6 mi
13m
State Highway 22/54
6.6 mi
9m
WI 16
4.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 55.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Angelica, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·2 min·West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft·12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
4.5 mi·8 min·WI 16
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
55 mi·59 min·I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 61Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9
Keep slight left at fork
91 ft·6 sec
10
Turn left onto WI 80
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Bridge Street
11
Continue on WI 80
6.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 80
12
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80
2.8 mi·4 min·State Highway 80
13
Continue on WI 80
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Turn right onto WI 21
1.0 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
15
Continue on WI 21
29 mi·40 min·State Highway 21
16
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi·49 sec·Wautoma Road
17
Continue on WI 21
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 21
18
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.5 mi·1 min·South Cambridge Street
19
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi·32 sec·West Main Street
20
Turn left onto WI 22
24 mi·36 min·State Highway 22
21
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.4 mi·33 sec·Western Avenue South
22
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Highway 22
23
Continue on Lakeside Parkway
0.7 mi·1 min·Lakeside Parkway
24
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·South Main Street
25
Turn right onto Lake Street
0.4 mi·46 sec·Lake Street
26
Turn straight onto School Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·School Street
27
Continue on Royalton Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Royalton Street
28
Enter roundabout
118 ft·1 sec
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
29
Continue
77 ft·2 sec
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
30
Turn straight onto WI 22; WI 54
6.6 mi·9 min·State Highway 22/54
31
Continue on WI 54
9.9 mi·14 min·State Highway 54
32
Continue on WI 54
0.1 mi·11 sec·West Fairview Drive
33
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi·1 min·East Fairview Drive
34
Continue on WI 54
7.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 54
35
Continue on WI 54
1.0 mi·1 min·Rexford Avenue
36
Continue on WI 54
5.4 mi·8 min·State Highway 54
37
Continue on WI 54
1.1 mi·1 min·West State Street
38
Continue on WI 54
5.8 mi·8 min·State Highway 54
39
Turn left onto WI 54
192 ft·8 sec·State Highway 54
40
At end of road, turn straight onto WI 55
2.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
41
Continue on State Highway 55
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 55
42
Turn left onto CTH C; CTH S
444 ft·12 sec·County Road S
43
Arrive at destination
CTH C; CTH S
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Plan for just one significant stop to break up the drive and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you transition off I 90 onto the state highways, as services might be more spread out. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 55 miles, so ensure you've taken a break before embarking on that segment.
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 98.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 2h 6m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Angelica, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from La Crosse, 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 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from La Crosse, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 145.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
6
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|WI 80 / State Highway 80
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80
Navigation decision point
6
145.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Enter roundabout toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 22 North, WI 54 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.72 one way
$61.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.73
$67.46
premium
$4.89
$37.81
$75.63
diesel
$5.61
$43.38
$86.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.63
$9.43
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT until April 20 at 2:30AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Angelica, WI
Late night
in Angelica on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
98 mi in
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
10 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 30m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 101.6
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 route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 92% of the drive utilizing major roadways. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including a 55.1-mile segment on I 90 where you can really settle in. While much of the journey involves higher-speed travel, you will transition to State Highway 21 and then State Highway 54. These shifts will offer a slight change in pace and scenery as you move away from the interstate.
92% 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: 55.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 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.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Angelica, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
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.
The longest stretch is about 55.1 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.
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 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Angelica, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
