Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 36m
Distance
191.5 mi
308 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Clinton, WI
Tom Fisk
Connecting La Crosse to Clinton, this 191.5-mile journey across Wisconsin is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 36 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stay. You will rely heavily on I-90 and I-39, which keep your travel time predictable and your transit through the Midwest efficient. Budgeting roughly $29 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading across the state for business or a quick visit, this drive is designed for those who prioritize speed and reliability over wandering backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.7 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 131 mi | 2h 20m |
| I 39 | 46.7 mi | 50m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| CTH X | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| I 43 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,411 veh/hr typical · worst 2,093
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Clinton, WI.
Start on WI 35
Turn right
Turn straight onto CTH F
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Continue on WI 16
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 43
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto CTH X
Enter roundabout onto CTH X
Continue on CTH X
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You only need to build in one planned stop to keep your energy levels up during the 3-hour and 36-minute transit. Given that the longest stretch is 131 miles on I-90, try to time your break for somewhere near the midpoint of that segment to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as even with a modest $29 cost, it is best to refuel at major interchanges to avoid unnecessary detours off the interstate. Taking advantage of the highway-heavy layout means you can reach Clinton efficiently if you stay focused on the main arterial 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.
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 42 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 191.5 miles and 3h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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.
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 95.7 miles from La Crosse, 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 131 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 187 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CTH X: Hart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Enter roundabout onto CTH X
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$31.94 one way
$63.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.62 | $34.85 | $69.71 |
| premium | $5.25 | $39.60 | $79.21 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $47.32 | $94.63 |
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: 67 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.11 | $9.19 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.76 | $7.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.81 | $12.26 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Clinton on Thursday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
42°F
Merrimac, WI
96 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 95% of this route consists of high-speed interstate travel. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 131-mile stretch along I-90, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While you will encounter a short transition onto WI-16, the vast majority of the drive feels consistent and steady. This is not a technical winding road, but rather a functional, fast-paced interstate corridor that allows you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress. You can anticipate a predictable rhythm that remains largely unchanged from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 191.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
736 ft
Total Descent
445 ft
Highest Point
1,048 ft
~41 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 191.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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