Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from Medina, WI to North 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 37m
Distance
156.6 mi
252 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medina, WI
JIMMY Art
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Medina, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 156.6 miles and takes about 3h 37m via I 90 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mix of freeway cruising and surface roads as you make your way west. With a recommended one-day drive, this route offers a straightforward connection between two points in the state.
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
78.3 miles from Medina, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 41.3 mi | 44m |
| East Follett Drive | 28.9 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 21 | 23.4 mi | 32m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 49 | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 22 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| County Highway A | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| County Road M | 5.5 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 41.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH M
67 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Road M
2
Turn right onto WI 96
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
3
Continue on WI 96
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Road 96
4
Continue on WI 96
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto WI 96
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
6
Continue on WI 96
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
7
Continue on WI 96
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Road 96
8
Continue on WI 96
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 110
9
Continue on WI 49
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 49
10
Turn right onto CTH M
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road M
11
Continue on CTH M
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road M
12
Continue on CTH M
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road M
13
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
County Highway E
14
Turn left onto CTH A
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
County Highway A
15
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22; CTH A
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 22
16
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Main Street
17
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
18
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Bird Avenue
19
Turn left onto WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
20
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
21
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
East Follett Drive
22
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
23
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
24
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
27
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
29
Merge onto I 90
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 90
30
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 90; US 53
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
31
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
32
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 37m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Leaving Medina in the morning should give you ample time to reach North La Crosse without feeling rushed. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $24, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. Pay attention to the transition from I 90 to State Highway 21, as this marks a significant change in the driving environment.
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 78.3 miles from Medina, WI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 34 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 59m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medina, 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 Medina, WI
This is one driving day of about 156.6 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Medina, 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 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Medina, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
La Crosse Rest Area 31
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue
Turn right onto WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
WI 96 / State Highway 96
Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / State Highway 96 toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
5
28.2 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
CTH E / County Highway E
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E / County Highway E
Navigation decision point
6
113 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
6
154.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.48 one way
$48.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.14 | $60.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.58 | $69.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.52 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.70 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Medina, WI
Morning in Medina on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Big Flats, WI
78 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
12 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 37m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 59.4
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?
You'll spend about 57% of your time on highways, primarily on I 90. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 41.3 miles on I 90. After the highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads including East Follett Drive and State Highway 21. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from faster freeway speeds to more local road conditions.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue.
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 37m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.2 miles (CTH E / County Highway E): 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.
On the drive from Medina, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Albert Lea along the way.
Albert Lea
113 mi in
|
~2h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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: near the start (WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.2 miles (CTH E / County Highway E): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 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 North 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. 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 North La Crosse, WI
More from Medina, WI
More trips to North La Crosse, WI
Explore more options from Medina, WI or browse trips ending in North La Crosse, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.