Wabeno, WI to La Crosse, WI is 224.6 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I 90 and State Highway 52, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily within Wisconsin. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a single recommended day, this route is well-suited for a quick transfer between locations or a day trip if you start early.
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
112.3 miles from Wabeno, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
State Highway 52
35.4 mi
52m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
State Highway 64
27.7 mi
40m
US 51
19.7 mi
22m
Victory Road
15.2 mi
22m
I 39
12.5 mi
13m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~972 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,235
Quietest
1 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wabeno, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Cavour Avenue
113 ft·10 sec·Cavour Avenue
2
Turn left onto WI 32
0.7 mi·1 min·North Branch Street
3
Continue on WI 32
0.1 mi·17 sec·State Highway 32
4
Turn left onto WI 52
2.6 mi·3 min·State Highway 52
5
Continue on WI 52
14 mi·20 min·State Highway 52
6
At end of road, turn right onto WI 52; WI 55
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 55
7
Turn left onto WI 52
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 52
8
Continue on WI 52; CTH S
0.4 mi·39 sec·State Highway 52
9
Continue on WI 52
7.3 mi·10 min·State Highway 52
10
Turn right onto WI 64; WI 52
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 64
11
Continue on Century Avenue
1.3 mi·1 min·Century Avenue
12
Turn left onto North Hogan Street
52 ft·3 sec·North Hogan Street
13
Turn right onto WI 64
26 mi·38 min·State Highway 64
14
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 51
20 mi·22 min·US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
18
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
19
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
21
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
22
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
23
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
24
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
25
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
26
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
27
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
28
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
29
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
30
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
31
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
32
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
33
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
34
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
35
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
36
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
37
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
38
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
39
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
41
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
42
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
43
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
45
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
46
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
47
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
48
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
49
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
50
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
51
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential unscheduled stops. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 38.1 miles on I 90, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get too far into that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to State Highway 52, where services might be less frequent than on the interstate.
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 112.3 miles from Wabeno, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 49 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.3 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
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 Wabeno, 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 Wabeno, WI
This is one driving day of about 224.6 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Wabeno, 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 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 112.3 miles from Wabeno, 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 coffee break · around the midpoint
Mosinee Cafe
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Mosinee, Wisconsin
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset · 2h 12m in / 2h 55m to go
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10 to $20
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17156933600
Mosinee Cafe
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10 to $20
Mosinee, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17156933600
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 65.4 and 178.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
85.4 mi into trip|~2h 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
97.9 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
178.3 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
$33.17 one way
$66.34 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.62
$73.23
premium
$4.72
$41.70
$83.40
diesel
$4.80
$42.41
$84.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.4
0
$23.58
$10.78
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.65
$8.98
EV Truck/SUV
89.8
1
$31.44
$14.37
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Wabeno, WI
Late night
in Wabeno on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Smoke
N 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 12:45PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 11:50AM CDT until July 15 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 12:45PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 11:50AM CDT until July 15 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 131.7
Park Closure: Cross Plains Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the travel on major roads like I 90. You'll experience a longest stretch of 38.1 miles on I 90 before transitioning to surface roads like State Highway 52. Expect a more rural feel once you leave the interstate, with fewer exits and a more relaxed pace.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.1 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 52. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 31 significant decision points across 224.6 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 65.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,575 ft669 ft
Total Climb
110 ft
Total Descent
980 ft
Highest Point
1,575 ft
~31.7 mi in
Elevation Range
906 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wabeno, 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 5h 7m. Total distance: 224.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 65.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Crosse, WI before the return drive.
