Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
98.2 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI is 98.2 miles and takes about 2h 13m via I 90 and WI 16, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. With most of your time spent on the interstate, expect a straightforward and efficient drive. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it in a single day, allowing for a relaxed start or plenty of time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 38.6 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 21 | 4 mi | 5m |
| I 94 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 54 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| County Highway G | 2 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue South | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.6 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, 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
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
9
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 94
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
11
Turn right onto WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
12
Continue on WI 21
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 21
13
Turn left onto WI 173
24 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 173
14
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 173
15
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
410 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 80
16
Turn right onto WI 173
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 173
17
Continue on CTH G
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G
18
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 54
19
Continue on WI 54
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Letendre Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin River Drive
21
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
64 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
23
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
24
Turn slight right onto WI 54
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 54
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn slight left
337 ft
·
14 sec
26
Turn left onto 8th Street South
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
8th Street South
27
Turn left
58 ft
·
6 sec
28
Turn right
16 ft
·
1 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 13m duration, this trip is best suited for a single day. You could leave anytime in the morning or afternoon and still arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is 38.6 miles on I 90, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a $15 fuel cost, you likely won't need to worry much. The transition from interstate to state highway means you should be mindful of changing speed limits and exit configurations as you get closer to Wisconsin Rapids.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.1 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.6 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 22 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wisconsin Rapids, 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 98.2 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 38.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.1 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 45.7 and 98.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
45.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
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
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
49.4 mi into trip
|
~1h in
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
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
5
93.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive
Navigation decision point
5
98.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
98.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.35 one way
$30.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.86 | $33.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.68 | $43.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.31 | $4.71 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.59 | $3.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.28 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Morning in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
21°F
Clear
ESE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT until April 20 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM 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
38 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
2h 13m 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 88.1
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 89% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 38.6 miles on I 90. The highway driving will transition to surface roads as you approach Wisconsin Rapids. Expect the interstate portion to feel like typical high-speed, rural cruising with fewer exits.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 173. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 45.7 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 2h 13m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 93.4 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.
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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Necedah.
Saint Paul
45.7 mi in
|
~56m
Necedah
49.4 mi in
|
~1h
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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Full guide →Wisconsin Rapids is a town of 19,000 people (2020) in North Central Wisconsin that is known for its papermaking history, and its cranberry industry.
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 2h 13m. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 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 93.4 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wisconsin Rapids, WI before heading back.
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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