Origin
Rhine, WI
Morning in Rhine on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rhine, 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
4h 17m
Distance
202.3 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhine, WI
Birgit Böllinger
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 202.3-mile journey from Rhine to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 17 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90, US-151, and State Highway 33, about 86% of this drive is on highways, making it a focused road trip experience. With a projected fuel cost of $32, it's an economical way to traverse the Midwest. This route offers a straightforward path through Wisconsin, ideal for those looking for an efficient drive without extensive detours.
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
101.1 miles from Rhine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| US 151 | 27.6 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 33 | 27.2 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 23 | 15.7 mi | 18m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| East Cook Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhine, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH MM
221 ft
·
12 sec
·
County Road MM
2
Turn left onto CTH E
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Rhine Road
3
Turn right onto CTH A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road A
4
Continue on CTH A
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Rhine Street
5
Turn straight onto CTH J
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Gottfried Street
6
Turn left onto CTH JP
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road JP
7
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road P
8
Continue on CTH A; CTH P
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A/P
9
At end of road, turn right onto CTH A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
10
Turn slight left onto CTH A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Street
11
Take the ramp onto CTH A
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
CTH A
12
Merge onto WI 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on WI 23
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 23
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Johnson Street
15
Continue on WI 23
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Johnson Street
16
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 151
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 151
18
Turn right onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
19
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
County Road A
20
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East State Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 68
22
Continue on WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Street
23
Continue on WI 33; CTH A
27 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 33
24
Continue on WI 33
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cook Street
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
26
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
29
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
30
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
31
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
32
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
33
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
34
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
35
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 17-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of your drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. You'll have one main stretch of 99.3 miles on I-90, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during that segment to ensure comfort. With a fuel cost estimate of $32, budget accordingly. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your timing as needed, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good practice on longer highway stretches.
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 101.1 miles from Rhine, WI, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 30m
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 Rhine, 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 Rhine, WI
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Rhine, 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 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.1 miles from Rhine, 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 99.3 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 194.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
CTH P / County Road P
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P / County Road P
Navigation decision point
6
10.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge onto WI 23 / State Highway 23
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
27.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
155.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
194.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m 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
$31.63 one way
$63.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.73 | $69.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.93 | $77.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.67 | $89.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.9 | 1 | $28.32 | $12.95 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
11:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
23 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 17m 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
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 118.6
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of your trip, with 86% of the route on faster roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 99.3 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace for a substantial portion of your journey. While the primary roads are highways, the inclusion of US-151 and State Highway 33 may introduce some variation in the driving experience as you progress. This route generally keeps you moving, prioritizing efficient travel over winding, scenic byways.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 151. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near CTH P / County Road P.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 4h 17m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 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.
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 6 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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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