Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Omro, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
146.1 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Omro, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Omro, WI is 146.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m via State Highway 21, I 90, and State Highway 80, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Wisconsin. With most of the route on highways, you can expect a relatively quick transit. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
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
73.1 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 21 | 65.4 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 90 | 55.1 mi | 59m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Bannerman Avenue | 1.6 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West River Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 21
— 65.4 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,087 veh/hr typical · worst 1,477
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Omro, 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
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
20
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 21
21
Continue on WI 21; CTH EE
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bannerman Avenue
22
Continue on WI 21
16 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 21
23
Continue on WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West River Drive
24
Continue on WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Omro Road
25
Turn right
114 ft
·
10 sec
26
Turn right
114 ft
·
10 sec
27
Turn right onto North Webster Avenue
92 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Webster Avenue
28
Turn left onto WI 116; CTH F
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Omro Road
29
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Spruce State Route
30
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
WI 21
Trip Plan
For this 146.1-mile trip, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize your daylight hours, as it takes approximately 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $26, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch is over 65 miles. Since this is a single-day drive, you can depart at your leisure, but it’s wise to be aware of potential traffic near exits on the highway segments.
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 73.1 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.4 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.1 miles or 1h 29m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Omro, 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 146.1 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 State Highway 21 for about 65.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.1 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 State Highway 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 62.2 and 145.6 — 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
145.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
145.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.58 one way
$43.15 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $23.82 | $47.64 |
| premium | $4.72 | $27.13 | $54.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $27.59 | $55.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.34 | $7.01 |
| Efficient EV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.78 | $5.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.4 | 0 | $20.45 | $9.35 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Monday
Local time
6:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
E 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Omro, WI
Morning in Omro on Monday
Local time
6:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Smoke
ENE 1 to 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM 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
3 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
3h 18m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 100.8
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 92% of the 146.1 miles on such roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 65.4 miles on State Highway 21 before transitioning to other major routes. Expect mostly highway cruising for the majority of your travel time. The route begins on surface roads and moves onto interstate and state highways, offering a consistent driving experience for most of the trip.
92% 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: 65.4 mi on State Highway 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 21 and I 90. 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 18m drive. You will face about 14 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,046 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
484 ft
Total Descent
395 ft
Highest Point
1,046 ft
~41.7 mi in
Elevation Range
378 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Omro, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bean Juice Coffee Roasters
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-18:00; Su 08:00-15:00
Sweet Haus
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Visit websiteMOKA
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Jules Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
McCaffrey's Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 07:00-17:00
Moka
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Cheese House American Diner
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Taco Bell
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: Mo-We 09:00-03:00; Th-Sa 09:00-04:00; Su...
Visit websiteHardee's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Oakdale, WI
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tomah, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 08:00-22:00
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteLovechild Restaurant
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: fine_dining
Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:00
Visit websiteM60A3
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Bell AH-1
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fishing Spot (Northern Pike)
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cliffwood
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Hedgehog
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Grand Prairie
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dahl Auto Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Visit websiteBangor & Area Historical Society
Museum
Near the start, short detour
First break
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bangor, WI
Visit websiteSwarthout Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
WI
Hours: Mo,Tu,Th-Sa 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-20:00
War Memorial
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
M60A3
Tank
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Bell AH-1
Aircraft
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Kennedy Park
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
New Lisbon, WI
Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
West Salem
Visit websiteSuper 8
Motel
Near the start, short detour
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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
Arriving in Omro, WI
Full guide →Founded 1842
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 18m. Total distance: 146.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.4 miles on State Highway 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Omro, 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, 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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