Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Antigo, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
178.7 mi
288 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Antigo, WI
Cadde Ajans
Trip Overview
La Crosse to Antigo is 178.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 7 minutes via I 90 and State Highways, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, traversing Wisconsin for its entirety. You'll find it's a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
89.3 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 38.6 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| State Highway 52 | 20.9 mi | 29m |
| WI 13 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| I 39 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| South Superior Street | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.6 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Antigo, 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
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
9
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 94
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
11
Turn right onto WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
12
Continue on WI 21
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 21
13
Turn left onto WI 173
24 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 173
14
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 173
15
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
410 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 80
16
Turn right onto WI 173
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 173
17
Continue on CTH G
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G
18
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 54
19
Continue on WI 54
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Letendre Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin River Drive
21
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
64 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
23
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
24
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Riverview Expressway
25
Continue on WI 13; WI 34
14 mi
·
20 min
·
WI 13; WI 34
26
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
WI 34
27
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 10
28
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
WI 34
Exit 208
Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
29
Turn left onto WI 34
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 134
30
Continue on WI 34
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
WI 34
31
Continue on WI 34
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 34
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 34
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 34
33
Continue on WI 34
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
State Highway 34
34
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
35
Merge onto I 39; US 51
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 39; US 51
36
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
37
Merge onto WI 29
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 29
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward CTH X: Weston, Camp Phillips Road
39
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft
·
6 sec
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn left onto CTH X
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Camp Phillips Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
41
Continue on CTH X
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road X
42
At end of road, turn right onto WI 52
21 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 52
43
At end of road, turn left onto US 45; WI 52
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45; WI 52
44
Continue on US 45; WI 47; WI 52
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
South Superior Street
45
Continue on US 45; WI 47; WI 52
127 ft
·
11 sec
·
Superior Street
46
Arrive at destination
US 45; WI 47; WI 52
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 4 hours, this is a trip best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll have one scheduled stop, but given the relatively short drive, you can adjust as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing on the 38.6-mile stretch of I-90. Since you're staying within Wisconsin, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines or different fuel regulations.
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 89.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.6 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 1h 59m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Antigo, 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 178.7 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 38.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.3 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 45.7 and 142.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
45.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
49.4 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
6
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 208
Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens...
6
138.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
7
142.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.94 one way
$55.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.67 | $61.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.39 | $68.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.45 | $78.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Antigo, WI
Late night in Antigo on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
27 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
4h 7m 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 92.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 86% of your travel occurring on faster roads like I-90. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.6 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. While the majority is highway, expect some transitions as you move onto State Highway 173 and State Highway 52, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. Overall, it's a practical drive designed for covering ground efficiently.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 173. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.7 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 28 significant decision points across 178.7 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 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 La Crosse, WI and Antigo, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton, Stevens Point and Green Bay - among others.
Saint Paul
45.7 mi in
|
~56m
Necedah
49.4 mi in
|
~1h
Cth P
116.1 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via WI 34
Cth Hh: Knowlton
116.1 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via WI 34
Stevens Point
116.1 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via WI 34
Green Bay
138.4 mi in
|
~3h 6m
Cth X: Weston
141.8 mi in
|
~3h 10m
About the Cities
Starting 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 4h 7m. Total distance: 178.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.6 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.
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 Antigo, 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Antigo, 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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