La Crosse, WI to Grantsburg, WI is 223.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via US 52, I 90, and I 35, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making for a straightforward and efficient drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively short drive that gets you to your destination without much fuss. Consider this route for a simple, one-day transit between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
111.8 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 52
85.1 mi
1h 40m
I 90
52.6 mi
56m
I 35
33.2 mi
35m
I 35E
18 mi
19m
570th Street
7.2 mi
8m
US 14
7.2 mi
8m
State Highway 70
6.2 mi
8m
US 10
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 85.1 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,602 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~290 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 La Crosse, WI and Grantsburg, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
40 ft·9 sec·West Avenue South
2
Turn left onto WI 33
0.6 mi·1 min·Jackson Street
3
Turn right onto US 14; US 61
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street South
4
Turn left onto US 14; US 61; WI 16
1.4 mi·3 min·Cass Street
5
Continue on US 14; US 61; MN 16
1.7 mi·2 min·Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
6
Turn right onto US 14; US 61
7.2 mi·8 min·US 14; US 61
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
53 mi·56 min·I 90
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 218Toward US 52: Rochester
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward US 52 North: Rochester
10
Merge onto US 52
9.7 mi·11 min·US 52
11
Continue on US 52; US 63
17 mi·19 min·US 52; US 63
12
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi·10 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 52
40 mi·45 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
9.4 mi·12 min·US 52
Toward US 52 North: Saint PaulUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
0.5 mi·1 min·US 52
16
Merge onto I 94; US 10
0.2 mi·15 sec·I 94; US 10
17
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 10
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
33 mi·35 min·I 35
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward MN 70: Rock Creek, Grantsburg
24
Turn right onto MN 70
1.8 mi·2 min·MN 70
25
Turn right onto MN 70
5.5 mi·6 min·570th Street
26
Turn straight onto MN 70
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 70
27
Continue on MN 70
1.7 mi·1 min·570th Street
28
Continue on WI 70
4.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 70
29
Turn left onto CTH F
0.3 mi·32 sec·County Road F
30
Turn left onto West Wisconsin Avenue
175 ft·7 sec·West Wisconsin Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
West Wisconsin Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from La Crosse should allow you to reach Grantsburg with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Pay attention to the mileage on US 52, as that 85.1-mile stretch is the longest you'll go without a significant change in road type. Ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before embarking on that longer 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 111.8 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.1 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grantsburg, 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 223.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 52 for about 85.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.6 and 156.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
8
149.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
154.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
155.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
156.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.01 one way
$66.01 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.44
$72.88
premium
$4.72
$41.50
$82.99
diesel
$4.80
$42.20
$84.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.47
$10.73
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.56
$8.94
EV Truck/SUV
89.4
1
$31.29
$14.30
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Grantsburg, WI
Late night
in Grantsburg on Sunday
Local time
2:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM 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
1 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 20m 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?
This route is 94% highway, so expect a lot of high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 85.1 miles on US 52. You'll transition from highway driving to other roads towards the end of your trip. Keep an eye out for the frequent exits and merges characteristic of highway travel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.1 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.6 miles in near US 52.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 223.5 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 139.6 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 223.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.1 miles on US 52. 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.
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 Grantsburg, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.6 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Grantsburg, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
