Traveling from La Crosse to Cloverland covers 231.2 miles across the heart of Wisconsin. You should plan for roughly 4 hours and 58 minutes of time behind the wheel, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, it is a relatively economical trip across the Midwest. The route relies heavily on US 53 and State Highway 93, keeping your transit efficient. Whether you are heading north for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, this path offers a straightforward transition between these two Wisconsin locales.
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
115.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 53
138.9 mi
2h 39m
State Highway 93
36.2 mi
50m
State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi
20m
WI 157
12.7 mi
15m
County Road D
5.5 mi
9m
County Road F
4 mi
7m
Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
3.8 mi
5m
State Highway 13
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 53
— 138.9 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Cloverland, 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
3.3 mi·6 min·WI 16
6
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·15 sec
7
Turn left onto WI 157
13 mi·15 min·WI 157
8
Continue on US 53; WI 93
11 mi·15 min·US 53; WI 93
9
Continue on WI 93
21 mi·29 min·State Highway 93
10
Continue on WI 93
0.1 mi·18 sec·Diagonal Street
11
Continue on WI 93
0.3 mi·59 sec·Burrows Road
12
Continue on WI 93; CTH Q
0.2 mi·41 sec·Washington Street
13
Continue on WI 93
1.5 mi·2 min·Osseo Road
14
Continue on WI 93; WI 121
15 mi·20 min·State Highway 93 / 121
15
Continue on WI 93
0.3 mi·52 sec·Main Street South
16
Turn straight onto WI 93
0.3 mi·43 sec·Lake Park Drive
17
Continue on WI 93
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 93
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
21
Merge onto US 53
128 mi·2 hr 24 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto CTH B
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road B
23
Turn left onto CTH D
5.5 mi·9 min·County Road D
24
Turn right onto Elm Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Elm Road
25
Turn right onto US 2
3.8 mi·5 min·Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto CTH F
4.0 mi·7 min·County Road F
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto WI 13
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 13
28
Turn left onto Jack Pine Drive
46 ft·2 sec·Jack Pine Drive
29
Arrive at destination
Jack Pine Drive
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just under five hours, you have the flexibility to complete the trip in one sitting or break it up with a single planned stop. Aim to depart early in the day to navigate the longest 138.9-mile stretch of US 53 when traffic is lightest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial leg, as the $35 estimate is based on typical consumption for this distance. Given the heavy reliance on state highways, stay alert for speed limit transitions as you move between the segments of State Highway 93 and 121. By planning that one necessary rest break strategically, you can keep the trip comfortable and avoid fatigue.
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 115.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.9 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 51 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 38m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cloverland, 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 231.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 US 53 for about 138.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 115.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 53 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.9 miles.
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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 223.5 — 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
5
83.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
84.5 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 53
Merge onto US 53
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
219.7 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|US 2 / Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
Turn right onto US 2 / Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
223.5 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|CTH F / County Road F
Turn left onto CTH F / County Road F
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.15 one way
$72.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.69
$79.37
premium
$4.89
$44.49
$88.98
diesel
$5.61
$51.05
$102.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.23
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.37
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 13, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 13 at 2:57AM CDT until April 14 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 13 at 2:23AM CDT until April 14 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Cloverland, WI
Afternoon
in Cloverland on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
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
18 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 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of this route consists of high-speed transit. The journey is defined by a significant 138.9-mile stretch on US 53, which will demand most of your focus. You will navigate a blend of major arteries and smaller connections like State Highway 93 and 121, resulting in a drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering. Because the route stays consistent with its highway-heavy design, you can anticipate a predictable and efficient pace as you transition between the two regions of the state.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.9 mi on US 53.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and State Highway 93. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.
Driving Effort6/10
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 231.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 83.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.5 miles (US 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 231.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.9 miles on US 53. 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 Cloverland, 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 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 83.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.5 miles (US 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cloverland, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
