If you are planning a trip from Rhinelander to La Crosse, you are looking at a straightforward 202-mile journey across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 25 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, the drive is budget-friendly and efficient for travelers looking to traverse the Midwest. While you could easily complete the trip in a single day, having the flexibility to stop once along the way keeps the experience comfortable. Relying on a combination of US 51, I-90, and State Highway 173, you will experience a reliable transit corridor that links two distinct parts of the state. This route is an ideal choice for those who prioritize efficiency and clear navigation over complex 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 miles from Rhinelander, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
46.3 mi
53m
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
Victory Road
15.2 mi
22m
I 39
12.5 mi
13m
US 8
11.6 mi
15m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
WI 16
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 46.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhinelander, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on West King Street
200 ft·11 sec·West King Street
2
Turn right onto South Stevens Street
356 ft·9 sec·South Stevens Street
3
Continue on South Petham Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·South Petham Street
4
Continue on Arbutus Street
476 ft·17 sec·Arbutus Street
5
Turn right onto CTH P
1.2 mi·2 min·West Kemp Street
Use the right lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto US 8
134 ft·7 sec·US Highway 8
7
Continue on US 8
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 8
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 8
12 mi·15 min·US 8
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto US 51
46 mi·53 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
13 mi·13 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
13
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
14
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
15
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
16
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
17
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
18
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
19
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
20
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
21
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
23
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
24
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
25
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
26
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
27
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
28
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
29
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
30
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
31
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
32
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
33
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
36
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
37
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
38
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
40
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
41
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
42
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
43
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
44
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
45
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
46
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 25-minute transit, consider leaving in the early morning to avoid peak traffic periods on the busier sections of the route. Since the drive requires only one planned stop to cover the 202 miles, you have plenty of freedom to pick a location that suits your personal schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost assumes steady highway driving; idling in traffic or heavy acceleration will shift that total. Given that this is a single-day trip, your best strategy is to balance your time behind the wheel with one substantial break to stretch your legs. Use the flexibility of the 86% highway-heavy route to adjust your arrival time based on your own pace rather than strict road constraints.
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 miles from Rhinelander, WI, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 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 38m
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 Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, WI
This is one driving day of about 202 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Rhinelander, 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 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Rhinelander, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · early in the drive
Mosinee Cafe
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Mosinee, Wisconsin
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch · 1h 35m in
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10 to $20
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17156933600
Mosinee Cafe
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10 to $20
Mosinee, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17156933600
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 155.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|CTH P / West Kemp Street
Turn right onto CTH P / West Kemp Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
62.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
6
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
6
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapid...
6
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.58 one way
$63.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.67
$69.35
premium
$4.89
$38.87
$77.75
diesel
$5.61
$44.60
$89.20
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: 70.7 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
60.6
0
$21.21
$9.70
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.28
$12.93
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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Rhinelander, WI
Morning
in Rhinelander on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Morning
in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
25 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 25m 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?
This 202-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a 46.3-mile stretch on US 51, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The road personality shifts from regional highway driving to the high-speed rhythm of I-90, eventually transitioning into the specific flow of State Highway 173. While you won't encounter technical mountain passes, the mix of interstate and state road travel keeps the drive from feeling overly monotonous. Prepare for a steady pace that favors consistent speed and direct routing, allowing you to cover the distance without constant navigation adjustments.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CTH P / West Kemp Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 202 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 0.4 miles (CTH P / West Kemp Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rhinelander, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
•La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
•Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 202 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 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 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: at 0.4 miles (CTH P / West Kemp Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
