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Trip from Rib Mountain, 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

3h 5m

Distance

138.5 mi

223 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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mountain

Rib Mountain, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 140-mile drive from Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, to North La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes to complete. With a projected fuel cost of $21, it's an economical journey. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including Camelia Lane, Bellflower Street, and Fern Lane, with no highway driving involved. The route offers a straightforward path through the Midwest region of Wisconsin, making it a simple and direct option for a day trip. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

69.3 miles from Rib Mountain, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 41.3 mi 44m
State Highway 173 34 mi 49m
Victory Road 15.2 mi 22m
I 39 12.5 mi 13m
State Highway 34 9.9 mi 13m
State Highway 21 4.1 mi 5m
US Highway 10 3.8 mi 4m
I 94 2.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 41.3 mi, about 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rib Mountain, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on this road

443 ft · 25 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Camelia Lane

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Camelia Lane
3

Turn left onto Bellflower Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bellflower Street
4

Turn left onto Fern Lane

0.5 mi · 2 min · Fern Lane
5

Turn left onto Violet Lane

282 ft · 12 sec · Violet Lane
6

Continue on State Park Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · State Park Road
7

Continue on CTH N

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Rib Mountain Drive
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto US 51; WI 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · US 51; WI 29
10

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
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
12

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec
13

Turn straight onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 34
14

Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C

123 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34
15

Continue on WI 34; CTH C

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34
16

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 30 sec · WI 34
17

Merge onto US 10; WI 34

3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10
18

Take the exit onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 49 sec · WI 34
Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
19

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34

15 mi · 22 min · Victory Road
20

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
21

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

185 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South
22

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
23

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive
24

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue
25

Continue on WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54
26

Turn left onto CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G
27

Continue on State Highway 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173
28

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173

410 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 80
29

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173
30

Continue on WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173
31

Turn right onto WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21
32

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
33

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
34

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
35

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94
36

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec
Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
37

Merge onto I 90

41 mi · 43 min · I 90
38

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
39

Turn left onto US 53; WI 35

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
40

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

Trip Plan

Given this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you ample time to reach North La Crosse and still have the afternoon free. With only one recommended stop and no extended highway stretches, you can choose a convenient point to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the turn-heavy local road profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The $21 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to check local gas prices before you depart.

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 69.3 miles from Rib Mountain, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 30 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 69.3 miles or 1h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 36m

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 Rib Mountain, 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 Rib Mountain, WI

This is one driving day of about 138.5 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Rib Mountain, 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 41.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Dexterville, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dexterville, WI

69 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

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norway Ridge, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.3 miles from Rib Mountain, 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.

Top Restaurant

Mosinee Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mosinee, Wisconsin

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17156933600

Mosinee Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10

Mosinee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17156933600

George Street Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Rothschild, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+17153593660

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 136.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.1 mi into trip | ~6m 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
14.6 mi into trip | ~20m 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
28.9 mi into trip | ~39m 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
94.9 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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
6
136.7 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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

$21.65 one way

$43.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.77 $47.55
premium $4.89 $26.65 $53.31
diesel $5.61 $30.58 $61.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.6 0 $14.54 $6.65
Efficient EV 34.6 0 $12.12 $5.54
EV Truck/SUV 55.4 0 $19.39 $8.86

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Rib Mountain, WI

Morning in Rib Mountain on Sunday

Local time

11:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

11:16 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

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

3h 5m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The entire 140 miles will be on local roads, meaning you'll be navigating through communities and potentially experiencing more frequent turns and slower speeds. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of local roads suggests you'll be encountering various intersections and changes in scenery more often. This kind of driving requires your attention to be consistently on navigation and road conditions.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.3 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 173. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 39; US 51.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 24 significant decision points across 138.5 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 2.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (WI 34): 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 Rib Mountain, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

Wisconsin Rapids

14.6 mi in | ~20m

Albert Lea

94.9 mi in | ~2h 16m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 41.3 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.

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 North 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 2.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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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