Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
225.2 mi
362 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
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
Laona, WI
Hải Nguyễn
La Crosse to Laona is 225.2 miles and takes about 5h 18m via State Highway 52 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. With 88% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a straightforward drive through the Badger State, this route should fit the bill.
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
112.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 52 | 56.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 38.6 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| WI 13 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| I 39 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 32 | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| South Superior Street | 5.7 mi | 9m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~991 veh/hr typical · worst 1,311
Quietest
1 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Laona, 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
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto WI 21
Continue on WI 21
Turn left onto WI 173
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
Turn right onto WI 173
Continue on CTH G
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
Continue on WI 54
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73
Continue on WI 13; WI 34
Take the ramp onto WI 34
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34
Turn left onto WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Enter roundabout onto WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 39; US 51
Take the exit
Merge onto WI 29
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto CTH X
Continue on CTH X
At end of road, turn right onto WI 52
At end of road, turn left onto US 45; WI 52
Continue on US 45; WI 47; WI 52
Turn right onto CTH F
Continue on Langlade Road
Continue on WI 52
Continue on WI 52
Continue on WI 52
At end of road, turn right onto WI 52; WI 55
Turn left onto WI 52
At end of road, turn left onto WI 32
At end of road, turn right onto US 8
Turn left onto US 8
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for potential delays and a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a significant break is 56.2 miles on State Highway 52, so plan for a stop before or after this point if you prefer shorter driving segments. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, monitor your gas gauge, especially during the highway portions.
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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 miles or 2h 34m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laona, 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 225.2 miles and 5h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 112.6 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.
5 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.
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
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$34.91 one way
$69.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
| premium | $4.93 | $43.69 | $87.38 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $49.64 | $99.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.65 | $10.81 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.53 | $14.41 |
Gas CO2
79 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Laona on Friday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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.
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.
This drive is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 225.2 miles spent on faster roads. You'll experience a 56.2-mile stretch on State Highway 52, which is the longest continuous segment before you transition to other roads. Expect a cruising feel for most of the trip, with the highway portion likely featuring fewer exits and more open road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 52 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.7 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 225.2 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,041 ft
Total Descent
131 ft
Highest Point
1,681 ft
~193 mi in
Elevation Range
1,012 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Crosse, WI and Laona, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton, Stevens Point and Green Bay - among others.
Saint Paul
Necedah
Cth P
Cth Hh: Knowlton
Stevens Point
Green Bay
Cth X: Weston
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 5h 18m. Total distance: 225.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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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