Origin
Neenah, WI
Morning in Neenah on Sunday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Neenah, 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 45m
Distance
168.1 mi
270 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 33m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Neenah, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 168.1-mile journey from Neenah, WI, to La Crosse, WI, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 45 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 91% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-90, State Highway 82, and State Highway 23. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, this drive offers an economical option for exploring within the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
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
84 miles from Neenah, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 62.7 mi | 1h 7m |
| State Highway 82 | 28.1 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 23 | 25.2 mi | 36m |
| State Highway 44 | 14.8 mi | 21m |
| I 41 | 14 mi | 14m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 23 & 49 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Underwood Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Neenah, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on West Doty Avenue
99 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Doty Avenue
2
Turn right onto WI 114
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Commercial Street
3
Turn right onto WI 114
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Winneconne Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
5
Continue on WI 114
321 ft
·
5 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
7
Continue on WI 114
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
9
Merge onto I 41; US 41
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 116
Toward WI 44, WI 91
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
183 ft
·
4 sec
12
Turn right onto WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ripon Rd
13
Continue on WI 44
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 44
14
Continue on East Oshkosh Street
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Oshkosh Street
15
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
16
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
17
Turn straight onto WI 23; CTH A
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
19
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D; CTH J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
20
Turn left
150 ft
·
2 sec
21
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
South 2nd Street
22
Continue on State Highway 23
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 23
23
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Montello Street
24
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Montello Street
25
Turn slight right onto WI 23; CTH C
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Underwood Avenue
26
Continue on WI 23
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
27
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 82
28
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ormsby Street
29
Continue on WI 82
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 82
30
Keep slight right at fork
278 ft
·
5 sec
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
32
Merge onto I 90; I 94
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 90; I 94
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
35
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
36
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
37
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
38
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
39
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
41
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 3-hour and 45-minute drive, departing in the morning offers ample time to reach La Crosse, WI, and still have the afternoon free. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 62.7-mile stretch on I-90, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments. Planning a quick stop around the halfway point could be beneficial for a stretch and to refuel if needed, ensuring a smooth arrival.
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 84 miles from Neenah, WI, or about 2h 1m 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 37 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 2h 1m 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 4m
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 Neenah, 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 Neenah, WI
This is one driving day of about 168.1 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Neenah, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 84 miles from Neenah, 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 62.7 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 160.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 114 / South Commercial Street
Turn right onto WI 114 / South Commercial Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
15.9 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
160.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
$26.28 one way
$52.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.35 | $64.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.11 | $74.23 |
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: 58.8 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 | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.71 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
Gas CO2
59 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
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
84 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 45m 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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 69.5
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 91% of your travel occurring on major interstates and state highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the majority of the route sticks to higher-speed roads, you'll experience a shift as you transition onto State Highway 82 and State Highway 23, introducing a different driving dynamic. This blend of interstate and state highway travel provides a varied, yet efficient, driving experience.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 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 State Highway 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 114 / South Commercial 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 20 significant decision points across 168.1 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: near the start (WI 114 / South Commercial Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 45m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). 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: near the start (WI 114 / South Commercial Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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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