Skip to main content

Trip from La Crosse, WI to Greenville, WI

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

169.1 mi

272 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Greenville, WI, WI

Greenville, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

La Crosse, WI to Greenville, WI is 169.1 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 90 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The majority of your time will be spent on the interstate, making for a straightforward transit. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this route is ideal for a quick, no-fuss connection between these two Wisconsin cities.

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

84.6 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 55.1 mi 59m
State Highway 21 41.3 mi 57m
State Highway 80 9.6 mi 13m
Wisconsin Avenue 9 mi 13m
State Highway 49 8.8 mi 13m
State Highway 22 8.7 mi 12m
County Highway A 8.1 mi 11m
County Road M 5.5 mi 13m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 55.1 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Greenville, 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 61 Toward 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

8.7 mi · 12 min · State Highway 22
21

Turn right onto CTH A

8.1 mi · 11 min · County Highway A
22

At end of road, turn right onto CTH E

0.1 mi · 22 sec · County Highway E
23

Turn left onto CTH M

3.0 mi · 7 min · County Road M
24

Continue on CTH M

0.5 mi · 1 min · County Road M
25

Continue on CTH M

2.0 mi · 4 min · County Road M
26

Turn left onto WI 49

8.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 49
27

Continue on WI 110

3.2 mi · 4 min · State Highway 110
28

Continue on WI 96

3.9 mi · 5 min · State Road 96
29

Continue on WI 96

1.8 mi · 2 min · State Highway 96
30

Enter roundabout onto WI 96

132 ft · 7 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
31

Continue on WI 96

2.3 mi · 3 min · Wisconsin Avenue
Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
32

Continue on WI 96

1.1 mi · 2 min · State Road 96
33

Continue on WI 96

6.7 mi · 9 min · Wisconsin Avenue
34

Turn left onto WI 76

1.0 mi · 1 min · Municipal Drive
Use the left lane.
35

Enter roundabout onto WI 76

125 ft · 2 sec · Municipal Drive
36

Continue on WI 76

0.8 mi · 1 min · Municipal Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
37

Turn right onto WI 15

0.1 mi · 41 sec · Greenville Drive
38

Continue on WI 15

462 ft · 8 sec · Greenville Drive
39

Arrive at destination

WI 15

Trip Plan

Given the 3h 56m duration, leaving La Crosse in the morning allows ample time to reach Greenville well before evening. You'll want to budget around $26 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 55.1 miles on I 90, so consider making your stop before or after this segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but aim to hit the road early to maximize your daylight.

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 84.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 46m 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 37 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.6 miles or 1h 46m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenville, 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 169.1 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.

Downtown Big Flats, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Flats, WI

85 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

Angelo, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Adams, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.6 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 62.2 and 167.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

5
157 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in | WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue toward WIS 96 East: Appleton

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
5
167.1 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | WI 76 / Municipal Drive

Turn left onto WI 76 / Municipal Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.44 one way

$52.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.03 $58.05
premium $4.89 $32.54 $65.08
diesel $5.61 $37.34 $74.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.7 0 $17.76 $8.12
Efficient EV 42.3 0 $14.80 $6.76
EV Truck/SUV 67.6 0 $23.67 $10.82

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Late night in La Crosse on Tuesday

Local time

5:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Greenville, WI

Late night in Greenville on Tuesday

Local time

5:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

41°F

Big Flats, WI

85 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

2 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

3h 56m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the 169.1 miles on interstates and state highways. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 55.1 miles on I 90, which means fewer exits and more consistent cruising. The route transitions to surface roads, specifically State Highway 21 and State Highway 80, for the remaining portion, offering a change of pace from the interstate.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 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?

4/10

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 62.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 56m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 69.7 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.

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 Greenville, WI, road signs point toward New Lisbon and Wis 96 East: Appleton.

New Lisbon

62.2 mi in | ~1h 14m

Wis 96 East: Appleton

157 mi in | ~3h 36m | via WI 96

About the Cities

Starting in La Crosse, WI

Full guide →

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

  • 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

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 3h 56m. Total distance: 169.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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; at 69.7 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Greenville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More trips to Greenville, WI

Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Greenville, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.