Origin
Bristol, WI
Afternoon in Bristol on Saturday
Local time
1:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bristol, WI to La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
233.3 mi
376 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bristol, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 233.3 miles and takes about 4h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, I 39, US 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.6 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.47 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
116.7 miles from Bristol, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 39 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 14 | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| I 43 | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 50 | 10 mi | 13m |
| 75th Street | 6.7 mi | 10m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Geneva Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on 199th Avenue
52 ft
·
4 sec
·
199th Avenue
2
Turn right onto 82nd Street
339 ft
·
16 sec
·
82nd Street
3
Turn right onto US 45
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
200th Avenue
4
Continue on US 45
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Bristol Road
5
Take the ramp
496 ft
·
18 sec
Toward lake geneva
6
Turn left onto WI 50
6.7 mi
·
10 min
·
75th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on WI 50; WI 83
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Geneva Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on WI 50
10.0 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 50
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
7.8 mi
·
8 min
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
14
Merge onto I 43
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft
·
3 sec
17
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 14
18
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 14; WI 11
19
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
20
Enter roundabout
10 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
21
Continue
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
22
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
26
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
27
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
28
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
29
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
30
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
31
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
32
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
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 116.7 miles from Bristol, WI, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 51 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 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 40m
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 Bristol, 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 Bristol, WI
This is one driving day of about 233.3 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bristol, 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 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.7 miles from Bristol, 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 102.6 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 255 decision points cluster between mile 27.6 and 186.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
27.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
6
27.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
7
28.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
8
40.9 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
7
186.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.47 one way
$72.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.05 | $80.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.90 | $89.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.51 | $103.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70 | 0 | $24.50 | $11.20 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.41 | $9.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.3 | 1 | $32.66 | $14.93 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Lodi, WI
117 mi in
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
19 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 33m 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 152.9
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?
233.3 mi in 4h 33m, mostly highway — 102.6 mi of that is on I 90.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.6 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 233.3 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 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bristol, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth Nn: Beloit, Milwaukee, Beloit and Janesville.
Cth Nn: Beloit
27.6 mi in
|
~38m
Milwaukee
27.6 mi in
|
~38m
Beloit
27.7 mi in
|
~38m
Janesville
40.9 mi in
|
~53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 233.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 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 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 27.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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