Origin
Hayward, WI
Afternoon in Hayward on Monday
Local time
3:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
191.1 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hayward, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 191.1 miles and takes about 3h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 63, US 53 South, WI 93 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
95.5 miles from Hayward, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 21m drive with frequent turns across 191.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 63 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 63 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 53 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WI 93 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 93 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lake Park Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Osseo Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
US 63
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hayward, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on the route
21 mi
·
29 min
·
the route
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 63
131 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 63
3
Exit the roundabout onto US 63
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 63
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US 53 South, US 63 South,
16 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 53 South, US 63 South,
5
Exit the roundabout onto US 53 South, US 63 South,
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 53 South, US 63 South,
6
Keep slight left
81 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward WI 93
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
WI 93
8
Continue on WI 93
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
WI 93
9
Continue on State Highway 93
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 93
10
Continue on Lake Park Drive
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Lake Park Drive
11
Continue on Main Street North
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street North
12
Continue on State Highway 93
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 93
13
Continue on Osseo Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Osseo Road
14
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Washington Street
15
Continue on Burrows Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Burrows Road
16
Continue on Diagonal Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Diagonal Street
17
Continue on State Highway 93
21 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 93
18
Continue on State Highway 93
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 93
19
Continue straight
15 mi
·
18 min
20
Turn straight
0.6 mi
·
1 min
21
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
22
Turn straight
3.4 mi
·
5 min
23
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
24
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
25
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
26
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
27
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
325 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
28
Arrive at your destination
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 95.5 miles from Hayward, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 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 45m
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 Hayward, 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 Hayward, WI
This is one driving day of about 191.1 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hayward, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.5 mi from Hayward, WI · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.5 miles from Hayward, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
The final approach into La Crosse, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around La Crosse, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.03 one way
$58.05 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.00 | $64.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.08 | $72.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.46 | $84.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.07 | $9.17 |
| Efficient EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.72 | $7.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.75 | $12.23 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Monday
Local time
3:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Sparta, WI
96 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 21m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 191.1 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 63, US 53 South, WI 93. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.5 miles from Hayward, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hayward, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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