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Trip from Morrison, WI to La Crosse, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

200.1 mi

322 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 17m ★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Morrison, WI, WI

Morrison, WI

Tom Fisk

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 202.1-mile journey from Morrison, WI, to La Crosse, WI, is best suited for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes to complete. With no highway driving and a fuel cost estimated at $31, this is a budget-friendly road trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, promising a more engaged driving experience. Given its manageable length and the local road focus, it offers a relaxed pace, allowing for a single stop without feeling rushed. This drive remains within the Midwest region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout.

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

100.1 miles from Morrison, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 62.7 mi 1h 7m
I 41 33.4 mi 36m
State Highway 82 28.1 mi 41m
State Highway 23 25.2 mi 36m
State Highway 44 14.8 mi 21m
Day Street 7 mi 12m
WI 16 4.9 mi 8m
State Highway 23 & 49 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 62.7 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Morrison, WI and La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on Mill Road

101 ft · 4 sec · Mill Road
2

Turn right onto CTH W

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road W
3

Turn left onto WI 96

4.3 mi · 7 min · Day Street
4

Enter roundabout onto WI 96

113 ft · 1 sec · Day Street
5

Continue on WI 96

2.7 mi · 4 min · Day Street
6

Continue on WI 96

0.8 mi · 1 min · High Street
7

Enter roundabout

135 ft · 2 sec
8

Continue

114 ft · 2 sec
9

Continue on Broadway Street

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Broadway Street
10

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

218 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
11

Continue on Main Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
12

Continue on WI 96

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 96
13

Turn right onto CTH JJ

0.2 mi · 22 sec · East Edgewood Drive
14

Turn left onto Kelso Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Kelso Road
15

Turn left onto CTH J

0.1 mi · 16 sec · County Road J
16

Enter roundabout

30 ft · 0 sec
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee, Appleton
17

Continue

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee, Appleton
18

Merge onto I 41; US 41

33 mi · 36 min · I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 116 Toward WI 44, WI 91 Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight right at fork

183 ft · 4 sec
21

Turn right onto WI 44; WI 91

0.8 mi · 1 min · Ripon Rd
22

Continue on WI 44

15 mi · 21 min · State Highway 44
23

Continue on East Oshkosh Street

1.5 mi · 4 min · East Oshkosh Street
24

Turn right onto WI 23; WI 49

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Fond du Lac Street
25

Continue on WI 23; WI 49

3.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 23 & 49
26

Turn straight onto WI 23; CTH A

9.2 mi · 12 min · State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
27

Continue on WI 23; WI 73

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Fulton Street
28

Turn left onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D; CTH J

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
29

Turn left

150 ft · 2 sec
30

Continue on WI 23

0.5 mi · 42 sec · South 2nd Street
31

Continue on State Highway 23

9.9 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
32

Continue on WI 23; CTH C

0.6 mi · 57 sec · East Montello Street
33

Continue on WI 23; CTH C

0.1 mi · 10 sec · West Montello Street
34

Turn slight right onto WI 23; CTH C

1.8 mi · 2 min · Underwood Avenue
35

Continue on WI 23

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23
36

Continue on WI 82

3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 82
37

Continue on WI 82

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Ormsby Street
38

Continue on WI 82

25 mi · 36 min · State Highway 82
39

Keep slight right at fork

278 ft · 5 sec
40

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
41

Merge onto I 90; I 94

24 mi · 25 min · I 90; I 94
42

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

39 mi · 41 min · I 90
Exit 45 Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
43

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
44

At end of road, turn left onto WI 16

4.9 mi · 8 min · WI 16
45

Continue on Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
46

Turn right onto CTH F

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
47

Turn left onto 16th Street South

0.8 mi · 2 min · 16th Street South
48

Turn right onto Johnson Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Johnson Street
49

At end of road, turn right onto WI 35

326 ft · 11 sec · West Avenue South
50

Arrive at destination

WI 35

Trip Plan

For this 202.1-mile, 3-hour and 43-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the numerous turns. Since it's a single-day trip with an estimated fuel cost of $31, you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps when you feel you've covered about half the distance. Pay close attention to signage as you transition between County Road W, Day Street, and High Street, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests these changes can be frequent and require your focus.

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 100.1 miles from Morrison, WI, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 44 miles or 58m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100.1 miles or 2h 22m 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 43m

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 Morrison, 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 Morrison, WI

This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Morrison, 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 62.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pardeeville, WI

100 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

Black Wolf, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Portage, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.1 miles from Morrison, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 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.

Tempest Coffee Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Appleton, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19209392153

Visit website

il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro - Kimberly

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Kimberly, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19204233078

Visit website

The Breaking Point LLC

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Appleton, Wisconsin

Hours: 4–9 pm

+19202053780

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 192.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
5.7 mi into trip | ~10m in | WI 96 / Day Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / Day Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
14.3 mi into trip | ~26m in

Enter roundabout toward I 41 South: Milwaukee, Appleton

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee, Appleton
8
48 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward WI 44, WI 91

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 116 Toward WI 44, WI 91
7
153.5 mi into trip | ~3h 31m 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
192.6 mi into trip | ~4h 13m 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

$31.28 one way

$62.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.35 $68.70
premium $4.89 $38.51 $77.01
diesel $5.61 $44.18 $88.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60 0 $21.01 $9.60
Efficient EV 50 0 $17.51 $8.00
EV Truck/SUV 80 1 $28.01 $12.81

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Morrison, WI

Late night in Morrison on Tuesday

Local time

5:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Late night in La Crosse on Tuesday

Local time

5:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

33°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

NW 10 mph 38% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT until April 20 at 2:30AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM 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

7 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

4h 30m 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

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...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free near mile 103.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 202.1-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through smaller communities and along county roads for the full 3 hours and 43 minutes. The 'profile' suggests a driving experience that requires constant attention to turns rather than long stretches of straight-line cruising. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of this route implies frequent changes in direction and potentially varying speed limits as you transition between different local roads like County Road W, Day Street, and High Street.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in near WI 96 / Day Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 200.1 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 5.7 miles (WI 96 / Day Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.

On the drive from Morrison, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.

Appleton

14.3 mi in | ~26m

About the Cities

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 30m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 62.7 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 5.7 miles (WI 96 / Day Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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