Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
11:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Pound, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
244.3 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Pound, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Pound, WI is 244.3 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I 41 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing familiar Midwest landscapes. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward connection between two points. Plan for a single day of travel, making it an efficient way to cover this distance.
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
122.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 70.4 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 90 | 62.5 mi | 1h 7m |
| State Highway 82 | 28.3 mi | 42m |
| US 141 | 19 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 23 | 16 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 44 | 14.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 23 & 73 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 70.4 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 140 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,248 veh/hr typical · worst 3,819
Quietest
1 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Pound, 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
63 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
9
Turn left onto State Highway 82
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 82
10
Continue on State Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 82
11
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 82
12
Continue on WI 82
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 82
13
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ormsby Street
14
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 82
15
Continue on State Highway 23
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
16
Continue on WI 23
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Underwood Avenue
17
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Montello Street
18
Continue on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Montello Street
19
Continue on WI 23
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 23
20
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South 2nd Street
21
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
22
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
23
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23 & 73
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
25
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
26
Turn left onto CTH FF
403 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Union Street
27
Turn straight onto West Oshkosh Street
1.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Oshkosh Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto East Oshkosh Street
263 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Oshkosh Street
29
Continue on WI 44
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 44
30
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ripon Rd
31
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 44/91
32
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
33
Merge onto I 41; US 41
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward Appleton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 141
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 141
Exit 187
Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
35
Take the exit onto US 141 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 141 Business
Toward US 141 Business, CTH B: Coleman, Pound
36
Turn right onto CTH B; US 141 BUS
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
County Road B
37
Continue on CTH CP; US 141 BUS
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road CP
38
Continue on CTH CP; US 141 BUS
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
21st Road
39
Turn left onto CTH Q
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Road Q
40
Arrive at destination
CTH Q
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight, aim to depart from La Crosse in the early morning. Since this drive can be completed in under six hours, you have flexibility with stops. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before heading into longer stretches on I 41. There's one recommended stop, so plan to break up the 5h 11m drive accordingly. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities.
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 122.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.4 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 40m 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 Pound, 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 244.3 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 41 for about 70.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.2 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 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.4 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 69.6 and 222.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
5
70.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
State Highway 82
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
Navigation decision point
6
151.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Turn left toward I-41_North: Appleton
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
6
151.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
|
I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward Appleton
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Appleton
7
222.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
|
US 141
Keep slight left at fork onto US 141 toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.88 one way
$75.75 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $41.53 | $83.06 |
| premium | $4.93 | $47.40 | $94.80 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $53.85 | $107.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.73 |
| Efficient EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.38 | $9.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.7 | 1 | $34.20 | $15.64 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Pound, WI
Morning in Pound on Friday
Local time
11:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Fall River, WI
122 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
20 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
5h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend 94% of your time on highways, primarily I 41 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 70.4 miles on I 41. You'll notice a change from surface roads to the interstate system as you begin your drive. The route offers a consistent cruising experience for most of its length.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and I 90. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 69.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 244.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point; at 151.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,011 ft
597 ft
Total Climb
536 ft
Total Descent
489 ft
Highest Point
1,011 ft
~87.3 mi in
Elevation Range
414 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.
Between La Crosse, WI and Pound, WI, road signs point toward Oxford, Appleton and Iron Mountain.
Oxford
69.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Appleton
151.9 mi in
|
~3h 26m
|
via I 41; US 41
Iron Mountain
222.3 mi in
|
~4h 42m
|
via US 141
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 Pound, WI
Full guide →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 5h 11m. Total distance: 244.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m 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 70.4 miles on I 41. 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.
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 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point; at 151.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pound, WI before the return drive.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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