Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Plymouth, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
197.2 mi
317 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Plymouth, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Plymouth, WI is 197.2 miles and takes about 4h 4m via I 90 and WI 33, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip connecting two points within the Midwest, both located in Wisconsin. Given its relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways, making it a practical choice for efficient travel.
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
98.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| WI 33 | 33.4 mi | 49m |
| US 151 | 26.4 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 23 | 19.9 mi | 23m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| County Road K | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Plymouth, 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
100 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
9
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn straight onto WI 33
33 mi
·
49 min
·
WI 33
11
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East State Street
12
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Road A
13
Turn left onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
14
Take the ramp
99 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
15
Merge onto US 151
136 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 151
16
Take the exit
329 ft
·
17 sec
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
17
Turn left onto US 151
26 mi
·
31 min
·
US 151
18
Turn right onto CTH V
451 ft
·
13 sec
·
Rienzi Road
19
Turn left onto CTH K
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road K
20
Enter roundabout
212 ft
·
4 sec
21
Continue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
22
Merge onto WI 23
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
23
Continue on WI 23
20 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward WI 67: Plymouth, Elkhart Lake
25
Keep slight right at fork
234 ft
·
6 sec
26
Turn straight onto WI 67
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Milwaukee Street
27
Turn left onto WI 67
347 ft
·
8 sec
·
Elizabeth Street
28
Turn right onto WI 67
436 ft
·
14 sec
·
Caroline Street
29
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Plymouth with plenty of time to settle in. Since the total duration is manageable, you can easily complete this trip in one day. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 100 miles on I 90, so plan for a brief stop around that point to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $27, and services can be spaced out on some highway segments. Enjoy the flexibility this shorter route offers.
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 98.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, 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 197.2 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.6 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 I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 195.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
106.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
106.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
146.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
5
195.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward WI 67: Plymouth, Elkhart Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 67: Plymouth, Elkhart Lake
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.83 one way
$61.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.85 | $67.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.95 | $75.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.54 | $87.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.71 | $9.47 |
| Efficient EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.26 | $7.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.61 | $12.62 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Plymouth, WI
Morning in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 4m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 81.6
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
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 93% of the 197.2 miles taking place on such roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 99.6 miles on I 90 before transitioning to WI 33 and US 151. Expect to encounter a significant amount of highway cruising, with fewer exits and more continuous travel for extended periods. The latter part of the trip will involve more varied road conditions as you move from interstate to state and U.S. highways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 197.2 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Plymouth, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Baraboo
106.7 mi in
|
~2h 1m
About the Cities
Starting in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →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.
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 4h 4m. Total distance: 197.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 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.
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 Plymouth, 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Plymouth, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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