This 161.1-mile drive from Merrill to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 82% of the journey on major roads like I-90 and US 51, making it a straightforward drive. You can expect a fuel cost of around $25 for this journey through the Midwest. With a longest stretch of 38.1 miles on I-90, you'll have ample opportunity to make good time. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
80.5 miles from Merrill, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
US 51
19.7 mi
22m
Victory Road
15.2 mi
22m
I 39
12.5 mi
13m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
WI 16
4.9 mi
8m
State Highway 21
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrill, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on this road
85 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.8 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
4
Merge onto US 51
20 mi·22 min·US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
13 mi·13 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
7
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
8
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
10
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
11
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
12
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
13
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
14
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
15
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
16
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
17
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
19
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
20
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
21
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
22
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
23
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
24
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
25
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
26
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
27
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
30
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
31
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
32
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
34
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
35
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
36
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
38
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
39
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
40
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 33-minute duration for this 161.1-mile drive, starting your journey in the morning will allow you to arrive in La Crosse with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $25, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches like the 38.1 miles on I-90. This route is efficient, so you won't need to worry about splitting the drive; instead, focus on enjoying the straightforward progress towards your destination.
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 80.5 miles from Merrill, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
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 Merrill, 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 Merrill, WI
This is one driving day of about 161.1 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Merrill, 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 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.8 and 153.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.8 mi into trip|~26m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
6
34.3 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
6
48.7 mi into trip|~59m in|WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapid...
6
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
153.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
$25.19 one way
$50.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.65
$55.31
premium
$4.89
$31.00
$62.00
diesel
$5.61
$35.57
$71.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.92
$7.73
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.10
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Merrill, WI
Late night
in Merrill on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
SE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 3:09AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:52AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay 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
8 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
3h 33m 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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 66.6
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 161.1-mile trip, with 82% of your travel occurring on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-90, including a continuous stretch of 38.1 miles, which allows for steady progress. The inclusion of State Highway 173 and US 51 provides some variation from the interstate, though the overall feel remains that of a fast-paced, highway-centric journey. The road primarily emphasizes efficiency over leisurely sightseeing, so settle in for a direct route.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 173. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.8 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 161.1 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 21.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Merrill, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 161.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 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 La Crosse, 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 21.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
