If you are planning a trip from North La Crosse to Saint Germain, you are looking at a 220.9-mile journey across Wisconsin that typically takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day drive, though you should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via a combination of I-90, State Highway 173, and US 51. Since both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Midwest, the drive offers a consistent regional feel as you head north. It is a straightforward route that works best if you value efficiency and a direct path to the Northwoods.
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
110.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
64.6 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
I 90
27.9 mi
29m
WI 13
14.3 mi
20m
US 53
14 mi
15m
I 39
12.3 mi
13m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
County Road D
7.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 64.6 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, 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
28 mi·29 min·I 90
4
Take the exit
0.8 mi·55 sec
Exit 45Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
5
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi·3 min·I 94
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 143Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
7
Turn right onto WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
8
Continue on WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
9
Turn left onto WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
10
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
11
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·8 sec·State Highway 80
12
Turn right onto WI 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
13
Continue on CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
14
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
15
Continue on WI 54
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
16
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
17
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
18
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
64 ft·1 sec·2nd Avenue South
19
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
20
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73
0.8 mi·1 min·West Riverview Expressway
21
Continue on WI 13; WI 34
14 mi·20 min·WI 13; WI 34
22
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.3 mi·42 sec·WI 34
23
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
24
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·36 sec·WI 34
Exit 208Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
25
Turn left onto WI 34
0.1 mi·21 sec·State Highway 134
26
Continue on WI 34
0.2 mi·22 sec·WI 34
27
Continue on WI 34
9.5 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
28
Enter roundabout onto WI 34
132 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
29
Continue on WI 34
0.3 mi·39 sec·State Highway 34
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
31
Merge onto I 39; US 51
12 mi·13 min·I 39; US 51
32
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
48 mi·55 min·US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
17 mi·22 min·US 51
34
Turn right onto CTH D
7.6 mi·12 min·County Road D
35
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH D
0.6 mi·53 sec·Bradley Street
36
Turn right onto CTH D
3.0 mi·4 min·County Highway D
37
Turn straight onto CTH E
3.9 mi·6 min·County Highway E
38
Turn right onto CTH J
4.4 mi·7 min·County Road J
39
Turn left onto Parkway Road
0.1 mi·28 sec·Parkway Road
40
At end of road, turn left onto WI 70
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 70
41
Arrive at destination
WI 70
Trip Plan
With a total duration of nearly five hours, your best strategy is to plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries, keep an eye on your fuel levels before hitting those long, 64.6-mile stretches on US 51 where services might be more spread out. Departing early in the morning can help you bypass potential traffic fluctuations and ensure you arrive in Saint Germain with plenty of daylight left. Given the straightforward nature of this 220.9-mile trip, the flexibility of a one-day schedule is your biggest advantage. Use your single planned stop to refuel and check local traffic reports to ensure your path remains clear.
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 110.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Germain, 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 220.9 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 US 51 for about 64.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.1 and 136.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
43.1 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
46.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
5
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive
Navigation decision point
6
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.54 one way
$69.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.92
$75.84
premium
$4.89
$42.51
$85.02
diesel
$5.61
$48.77
$97.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.19
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Night
in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 6 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 14 at 5:57PM CDT until April 14 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 14 at 5:56PM CDT until April 14 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Saint Germain, WI
Night
in Saint Germain on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
8 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 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 51, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 64.6 miles. While the interstate segments provide a fast pace, the transition through various state highways keeps the drive varied. You can anticipate a blend of steady cruising and shorter, focused navigation segments as you move deeper into the state. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate steady progress toward their destination.
87% 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: 64.6 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and State Highway 173. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 220.9 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 43.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton and Stevens Point.
Saint Paul
43.1 mi in|~47m
Necedah
46.8 mi in|~51m
Cth P
113.6 mi in|~2h 29m|via WI 34
Cth Hh: Knowlton
113.6 mi in|~2h 29m|via WI 34
Stevens Point
113.6 mi in|~2h 29m|via WI 34
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 220.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m 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 64.6 miles on US 51. 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 Saint Germain, 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 43.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Germain, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
