Origin
Lebanon, WI
Morning in Lebanon on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lebanon, WI to La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
166.9 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lebanon, WI to La Crosse, WI is 166.9 miles and takes about 3h 39m via I 90, State Highway 16, and Highway 16 & 60, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find the route offers a good balance of efficiency and accessibility, suitable for those looking for a practical way to travel between these two locations.
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
83.4 miles from Lebanon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| Highway 16 & 60 | 13.8 mi | 18m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 26 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| West Cook Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| County Road MM | 3 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH MM
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Street
2
Continue on CTH MM
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road MM
3
At end of road, turn right onto CTH EM; CTH MM
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
County Road EM
4
Turn left onto CTH MM
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road MM
5
At end of road, turn left onto CTH E
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road E
6
Turn right onto CTH M
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road M
7
Turn left onto CTH JM
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road JM
8
Turn right onto WI 16; WI 26
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 26
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
10
Turn left onto WI 16; WI 60
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
State Highway 60
11
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 16 & 60
12
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Lowell Street
13
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East James Street
14
Continue on WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
15
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
16
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wisconsin Street
17
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West Cook Street
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
19
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
22
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
23
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
24
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
25
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
26
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
28
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3h 39m, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours and take advantage of the 1 stop recommended for rest or fuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 99.3 miles on I 90, so plan a break before or after this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, budgeting is straightforward for this journey across Wisconsin.
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 83.4 miles from Lebanon, WI, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 37 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 2h 2m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, WI
This is one driving day of about 166.9 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lebanon, 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 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.4 miles from Lebanon, 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 99.3 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 166.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM
At end of road, turn right onto CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM
Navigation decision point
5
12.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
7
120.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
159.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
5
166.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.09 one way
$52.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.65 | $57.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.12 | $64.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.85 | $73.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.52 | $8.01 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
83 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
3h 39m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with an 88% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on I 90, experiencing a long stretch of 99.3 miles on this interstate. While the majority is high-speed driving, the route also incorporates State Highway 16 and Highway 16 & 60, which may offer a slight change of pace. Expect a consistent driving experience for the most part, with the interstate dominating the journey.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 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 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM.
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 39m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM): Navigation decision point; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 3h 39m. Total distance: 166.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 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.
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 1.1 miles (CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM): Navigation decision point; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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