Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Meeme, WI to La Crosse, 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
4h 35m
Distance
213.4 mi
343 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meeme, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Meeme, WI to La Crosse, WI is 213.4 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 90, US 151, and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest's rolling terrain. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, it's an accessible route for a single day trip.
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
106.7 miles from Meeme, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| US 151 | 27.6 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 33 | 27.2 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 23 | 15.7 mi | 18m |
| County Road A/M | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 42 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| East Cook Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,290 veh/hr typical · worst 1,940
Quietest
2 AM
~155 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Meeme, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 42
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 42
2
Continue on WI 42
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wisconsin Drive
3
Turn right onto CTH A
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
College Avenue
4
Continue on CTH A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A
5
Continue on CTH A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North College Avenue
6
Continue on CTH A; CTH M
6.3 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road A/M
7
Continue on CTH A
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Rhine Street
8
Turn straight onto CTH J
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Gottfried Street
9
Turn left onto CTH JP
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road JP
10
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road P
11
Continue on CTH A; CTH P
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A/P
12
At end of road, turn right onto CTH A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
13
Turn slight left onto CTH A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Street
14
Take the ramp onto CTH A
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
CTH A
15
Merge onto WI 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on WI 23
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 23
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Johnson Street
18
Continue on WI 23
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Johnson Street
19
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 151
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 151
21
Turn right onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
22
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
County Road A
23
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East State Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 68
25
Continue on WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Street
26
Continue on WI 33; CTH A
27 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 33
27
Continue on WI 33
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cook Street
28
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
29
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
32
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
33
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
34
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
35
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
36
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
37
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
38
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m drive time, leaving Meeme in the morning should allow you to reach La Crosse comfortably within daylight hours. The route is designed for a single day, so you don't need to worry about an overnight stay. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically along I 90 to break up the longest stretch of 99.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer highway sections, as the estimated fuel cost is $33.
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 106.7 miles from Meeme, WI, or about 2h 32m 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 47 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 46m
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 Meeme, 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 Meeme, WI
This is one driving day of about 213.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Meeme, 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
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.7 miles from Meeme, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 17.1 and 205.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
CTH P / County Road P
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P / County Road P
Navigation decision point
6
21.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge onto WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
38.7 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
166.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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
205.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.09 one way
$66.17 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $36.28 | $72.56 |
| premium | $4.93 | $41.40 | $82.81 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $47.04 | $94.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.24 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.67 | $8.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.88 | $13.66 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Meeme, WI
Morning in Meeme on Friday
Local time
8:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
8:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 mph
13% chance
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
1 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
4h 35m 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.
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 130.1
Caution: Indian Creek Segment — Machinery and Parking Closure
Caution: Hemlock Creek Segment — Logging Activities
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the route on major roads like I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 99.3 miles on I 90, offering consistent cruising. After the main highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads. Expect a relatively continuous flow of traffic and exits for a significant portion of the trip.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 US 151. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 17.1 miles in near CTH P / County Road P.
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 4h 35m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.1 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 21.8 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,019 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
491 ft
Total Descent
601 ft
Highest Point
1,019 ft
~30 mi in
Elevation Range
350 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Meeme, WI
Full guide →Arriving 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
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 4h 35m. Total distance: 213.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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.
Yes — we found about 14 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 17.1 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 21.8 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 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, 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.
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