Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Williams Bay, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 8, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
204.1 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Williams Bay, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse to Williams Bay is 204 miles and takes about 3h 56m via I 90 and I 39, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive that's mostly on major interstates, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a simple, direct path with minimal navigation challenges.
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
102.1 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 131 mi | 2h 20m |
| I 39 | 37.2 mi | 39m |
| WI 11 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| I 43 | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 50 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 14 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| East Racine Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 131 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,411 veh/hr typical · worst 2,093
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Williams Bay, 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
131 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 175
Toward WI 11 East: Delavan
10
Keep slight left at fork
518 ft
·
13 sec
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
297 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Racine Street
12
Continue on WI 11
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
East Racine Street
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
112 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Racine Street
14
Continue on WI 11
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
15
Turn straight onto WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
WI 11
16
Continue on US 14
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 14
17
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
18
Merge onto I 43
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 43
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 21
Toward WI 50: Delavan, Lake Geneva
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
277 ft
·
7 sec
Toward WI 50 East, I 43 Alternate: Lake Geneva
Use the left / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto WI 50
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Geneva Street
22
Continue on WI 50
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 50
23
Turn right onto WI 67
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 67
24
Arrive at destination
WI 67
Trip Plan
For this 3h 56m drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip and relatively short at 204 miles, you have flexibility with stops. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on I 90 as it is the longest stretch, and you'll want to be aware of any traffic or construction updates before you hit that main artery.
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 102.1 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Williams Bay, 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 204.1 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 131 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.1 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 I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 198 — 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.
8
138.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 39; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
6
175.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
WI 11 / East Racine Street
Enter roundabout onto WI 11 / East Racine Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
197.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward WI 50: Delavan, Lake Geneva
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward WI 50: Delavan, Lake Geneva
9
198 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 50 East, I 43 Alternate: Lake Geneva
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward WI 50 East, I 43 Alternate: Lake Geneva
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.64 one way
$63.29 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $34.70 | $69.39 |
| premium | $4.93 | $39.60 | $79.20 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $44.99 | $89.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
| Efficient EV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.57 | $13.06 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Williams Bay, WI
Late night in Williams Bay on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
4 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.
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 77.4
Caution: Use Caution — Tisch Mills Segment
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 97% of this 204-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch is 131 miles on I 90. Expect to transition from interstate cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. With a high percentage of highway driving, you'll notice frequent exits for services and towns along the way.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. 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 13 significant decision points across 204.1 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 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.6 miles (WI 11 / East Racine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
995 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
512 ft
Total Descent
305 ft
Highest Point
995 ft
~43.7 mi in
Elevation Range
327 ft
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 Williams Bay, WI
Full guide →Williams Bay is a lakeside community on the western side of Lake Geneva in Walworth County, Wisconsin. It is and home to George Williams College of Aurora University.
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: 204.1 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131 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 Williams Bay, 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 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.6 miles (WI 11 / East Racine Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Williams Bay, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Williams Bay, WI
More trips to Williams Bay, WI
Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Williams Bay, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.