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Trip from Sugar Camp, 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 46m

Distance

215.4 mi

347 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m

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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Downtown Sugar Camp, WI, WI

Sugar Camp, WI

Dr Photographer

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

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 218.9-mile journey from Sugar Camp, WI, to La Crosse, WI, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes of driving time. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, it's an economical trip. The route primarily utilizes Highway 17, North Stevens Street, and West Davenport Street, offering a local driving experience with a low highway percentage. You'll traverse the Midwest region throughout this drive, making it a straightforward excursion within Wisconsin. Plan for a relaxed pace, as this drive is best enjoyed with flexibility rather than strict scheduling.

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

107.7 miles from Sugar Camp, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m 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
State Highway 17 9.9 mi 13m
Longest stretch: US 51 — 46.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sugar Camp, WI and La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on Sugar Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Sugar Lane
2

Turn left onto WI 17

9.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 17
3

Continue on WI 17

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Stevens Street
4

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 19 sec
5

Continue on North Stevens Street

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Stevens Street
6

Turn right onto West Davenport Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Davenport Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto WI 47

0.2 mi · 27 sec · State Highway 47
8

Enter roundabout onto US 8

26 ft · 1 sec · US Highway 8
9

Continue on US 8

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 8
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 8

12 mi · 15 min · US 8
Use the straight lane.
11

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto US 51

46 mi · 53 min · US 51
Use the straight lane.
13

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
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
15

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec
16

Turn straight onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 34
17

Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C

123 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34
18

Continue on WI 34; CTH C

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34
19

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 30 sec · WI 34
20

Merge onto US 10; WI 34

3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10
21

Take the exit onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 49 sec · WI 34
Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
22

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34

15 mi · 22 min · Victory Road
23

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
24

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

185 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South
25

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
26

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive
27

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue
28

Continue on WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54
29

Turn left onto CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G
30

Continue on State Highway 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173
31

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

410 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 80
32

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173
33

Continue on WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173
34

Turn right onto WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21
35

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
36

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
37

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
38

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94
39

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec
Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
40

Merge onto I 90

38 mi · 40 min · I 90
41

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
42

At end of road, turn left onto WI 16

4.9 mi · 8 min · WI 16
43

Continue on Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
44

Turn right onto CTH F

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
45

Turn left onto 16th Street South

0.8 mi · 2 min · 16th Street South
46

Turn right onto Johnson Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Johnson Street
47

At end of road, turn right onto WI 35

326 ft · 11 sec · West Avenue South
48

Arrive at destination

WI 35

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3 hour and 56 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pause when needed. Pay attention to the numerous turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy' profile; a good GPS or map will be your best friend. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off.

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 107.7 miles from Sugar Camp, WI, or about 2h 18m 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 47 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.7 miles or 2h 18m 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 56m

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 Sugar Camp, 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 Sugar Camp, WI

This is one driving day of about 215.4 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Sugar Camp, 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.

mountain

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rib Mountain, WI

108 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

Merrill, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Sugar Camp, 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.

George Street Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 76.9

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 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 169.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
13.3 mi into trip | ~20m in | West Davenport Street

Turn right onto West Davenport Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
76.2 mi into trip | ~1h 38m 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
88.7 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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
103.1 mi into trip | ~2h 11m 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
169.1 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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

$33.68 one way

$67.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.97 $73.95
premium $4.89 $41.45 $82.90
diesel $5.61 $47.56 $95.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.6 0 $22.62 $10.34
Efficient EV 53.9 0 $18.85 $8.62
EV Truck/SUV 86.2 1 $30.16 $13.79

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 18, 2026

Origin

Sugar Camp, WI

Late night in Sugar Camp on Sunday

Local time

4:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers

WNW 17 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 21 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 24 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Late night in La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

4:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Partly Sunny

NW 16 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 21 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 24 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

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

9 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 46m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway driving contributing to the overall mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch of road is not specified, but the nature of the drive suggests frequent changes in speed and direction. As you transition from Sugar Camp to La Crosse, the roads will likely evolve from smaller local highways to more urban thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This type of drive demands your attention, making it engaging rather than monotonous.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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 13.3 miles in near West Davenport Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 215.4 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 13.3 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 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 Sugar Camp, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

Madison

76.2 mi in | ~1h 38m | via I 39; US 51

Wisconsin Rapids

88.7 mi in | ~1h 52m

Albert Lea

169.1 mi in | ~3h 48m

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 46m. Total distance: 215.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 13.3 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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