Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Phillips, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 19m
Distance
174.8 mi
281 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Phillips, WI
Anete Lusina
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Phillips, WI is 174.8 miles and takes about 4h 19m via State Highway 13, State Highway 73, and State Highway 27, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to a more northern part of the state. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a fairly direct trip. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is a good option for a single-day excursion if you want to get where you're going efficiently.
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
87.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 13 | 50.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| State Highway 73 | 26.9 mi | 46m |
| State Highway 27 | 24.6 mi | 33m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 29 | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 95 | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| County Highway E | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| I 90 | 7.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 13
— 50.7 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Phillips, WI.
1
Start on US 53; CTH B
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Rose Street
2
Take the exit onto US 53
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 53
3
Continue on I 90
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 90
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 25
Toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
5
Keep slight left at fork
169 ft
·
4 sec
6
Turn left onto WI 27
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black River Street
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Black River Street
8
Continue on WI 27
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Black River Street
9
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
25 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 27
10
Continue on WI 27
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gebhardt Road
11
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Roosevelt Road
12
Turn left onto US 12; WI 54; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Main Street
13
Turn slight right onto US 12; WI 27
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12; WI 27
14
Turn right onto CTH E
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
County Highway E
15
Turn left onto CTH K
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway K
16
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
17
Turn right onto WI 95
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 95
18
Continue on WI 73; WI 95
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 73
19
Turn right onto US 10; WI 73
517 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Division Street
20
Turn left onto WI 73; US 10 Bus
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hewett Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Black River Road
22
Continue on WI 73
13 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 73
23
Continue on WI 73
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
24
Continue on WI 73
11 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 73
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
26
Merge onto WI 29
12 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 29
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
28
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hiline Avenue
29
Continue on WI 29 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Spruce Street
30
Turn left onto WI 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 13
32
Continue on WI 13
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South 8th Street
33
Continue on WI 13
139 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 8th Street
34
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 13
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
North 8th Street
35
Enter roundabout onto WI 13
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
North 8th Street
36
Continue on WI 13
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North 8th Street
37
Continue on WI 13
39 mi
·
53 min
·
State Highway 13
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Continue on WI 13
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lake Avenue
39
Turn right onto CTH H
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway H
40
Turn left onto Beach Road
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Beach Road
41
Arrive at destination
Beach Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 19m estimated drive time and 174.8 miles, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time to reach Phillips, WI comfortably. You'll want to fill up your gas tank before you leave North La Crosse, as the fuel cost is estimated at $27 for the trip, and there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 50.7 miles on State Highway 13, to ensure you don't have to detour for gas. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early afternoon departure to break up the drive.
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 87.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 2h 7m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phillips, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North La Crosse, 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 North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 174.8 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from North La Crosse, 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 State Highway 13 for about 50.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from North La Crosse, 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.
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.7 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 23 and 119.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 25
Toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
CTH J / County Road J
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J / County Road J
Navigation decision point
6
117.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Av...
5
119.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
WI 13 / North 4th Street
Turn left onto WI 13 / North 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.33 one way
$54.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.01 | $60.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.64 | $67.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.59 | $77.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.35 | $8.39 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $6.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.47 | $11.19 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Sunny
W 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Phillips, WI
Late night in Phillips on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
16 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 19m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 85% of the travel occurring on these main roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 50.7 miles on State Highway 13 before transitioning to other state highways. The majority of your time will be spent cruising on these higher-speed roads, with a smaller portion of the drive involving more rural surface roads. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip.
85% 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: 50.7 mi on State Highway 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and State Highway 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 174.8 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 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 62.8 miles (CTH J / County Road J): 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 North La Crosse, WI to Phillips, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Melvina along the way.
Melvina
23 mi in
|
~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 174.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.7 miles on State Highway 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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 Phillips, 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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 62.8 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Phillips, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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 Phillips, WI
More trips to Phillips, WI
Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Phillips, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.