Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Phillips, WI to North 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
4h 19m
Distance
174.9 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.
Phillips, WI
Anete Lusina
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Phillips, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 174.9 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 trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is mostly highway, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this is a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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 Phillips, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 13 | 50.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| State Highway 73 | 27 mi | 46m |
| State Highway 27 | 24.6 mi | 33m |
| I 90 | 21.6 mi | 23m |
| WI 29 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 95 | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| County Highway E | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| County Road J | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 13
— 50.7 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phillips, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Beach Road
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Beach Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto CTH H
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway H
3
Continue on CTH H
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
County Highway H
4
Turn left onto WI 13
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lake Avenue
5
Continue on WI 13
39 mi
·
53 min
·
State Highway 13
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on WI 13
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
North 8th Street
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 13
141 ft
·
8 sec
·
North 8th Street
8
Continue on WI 13
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
North 8th Street
9
Continue on WI 13
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North 8th Street
10
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 13
11
Continue on WI 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
12
Turn right onto WI 29 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Spruce Street
13
Continue on WI 29 Business
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Hiline Avenue
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls
15
Merge onto WI 29
12 mi
·
14 min
·
WI 29
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 118
Toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville
17
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 73
11 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 73
18
Continue on WI 73
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
19
Continue on WI 73
13 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 73
20
Continue on WI 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Black River Road
21
Continue on WI 73
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hewett Street
22
Turn right onto US 10; WI 73
517 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Division Street
23
Turn left onto WI 73
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 73
24
Turn straight onto WI 95
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 95
25
Turn left onto CTH J
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
26
Turn left onto CTH K
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway K
27
Turn right onto CTH E
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
County Highway E
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; WI 27
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 12
29
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Water Street
30
Turn left onto US 12; WI 54; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Main Street
31
Turn right onto US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Roosevelt Road
32
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gebhardt Road
33
Continue on WI 27
25 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 27
34
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Black River Street
35
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Black River Street
36
Continue on WI 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black River Street
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
38
Merge onto I 90
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 90
39
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 90; US 53
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
40
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
41
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 4-hour drive time, it's best to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility. You'll only need about one stop for this trip, so plan it strategically along the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 50.7-mile stretch on State Highway 13, as services might be spaced out. Since this drive can easily be completed in a single day, you have the advantage of not needing to rush.
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 Phillips, WI, or about 2h 12m 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phillips, 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 Phillips, WI
This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Phillips, 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 Phillips, 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 173 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH H / County Highway H
At end of road, turn right onto CTH H / County Highway H
Navigation decision point
5
40.7 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
WI 13 / North 8th Street
Enter roundabout onto WI 13 / North 8th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the ramp toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls
Navigation decision point
Toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls
6
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118
Toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville
6
173 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.34 one way
$54.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.02 | $60.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.66 | $67.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.62 | $77.23 |
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 | 52.5 | 0 | $18.36 | $8.40 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $7.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70 | 0 | $24.49 | $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
Phillips, WI
Morning in Phillips on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
6:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
5 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 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?
You'll spend about 84% of this 174.9-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 50.7 miles along State Highway 13. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect mostly rural cruising for the majority of this drive.
84% 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and State Highway 73. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CTH H / County Highway H.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.9 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CTH H / County Highway H): Navigation decision point; at 40.7 miles (WI 13 / North 8th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.5 miles: 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.
Between Phillips, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth T: Withee and Neilsville.
Cth T: Withee
69.1 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Neilsville
69.1 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 174.9 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 (84%). 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CTH H / County Highway H): Navigation decision point; at 40.7 miles (WI 13 / North 8th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.5 miles: 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 North 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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