Origin
Kronenwetter, WI
Evening in Kronenwetter on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kronenwetter, WI to La Crosse, WI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
137 mi
220 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kronenwetter, WI
Anete Lusina
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 137-mile drive from Kronenwetter to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with about 78% of the route being on interstates or state highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, making it an affordable Midwest excursion. This route is a straightforward highway-focused journey, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently. It’s a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick drive without needing to break it up over multiple days.
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
68.5 miles from Kronenwetter, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 137-mile trip, with 78% of it utilizing interstates and state highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.1 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While primarily highway, the route also incorporates State Highway 173 and Victory Road, which may offer a slight change of scenery and pace before reaching your destination. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and potentially more local road conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 38.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 6.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 137 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 6.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point
6
10.2 mi into trip
|
~16m 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
24.6 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
90.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
129.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kronenwetter, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Rapids, Albert Lea and Onalaska.
Wisconsin Rapids
10.2 mi in
|
~16m
Albert Lea
90.6 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Onalaska
129.4 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| Victory Road | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 21 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 10 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| I 39 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kronenwetter, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Autumn Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Autumn Road
2
Turn right onto Forest Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Forest Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto CTH X; CTH XX
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
CTH X; CTH XX
4
Turn right onto WI 153
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 153
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 39; US 51
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 39; US 51
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
8
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
9
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 34
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 34
11
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 34
12
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
WI 34
13
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 10
14
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
WI 34
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
15
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Victory Road
16
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft
·
3 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
19
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin River Drive
20
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Letendre Avenue
21
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 54
22
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G
23
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 173
24
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 80
25
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 173
26
Continue on WI 173
24 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 173
27
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 21
28
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
31
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
33
Merge onto I 90
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 90
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
35
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
36
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
37
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
38
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
39
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
41
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave Kronenwetter in the morning and arrive in La Crosse by lunchtime, or depart later and still have ample daylight. Plan for one main stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs or refuel. Given that 78% of the drive is on highways like I-90, staying aware of traffic patterns on these main arteries will be key. The estimated fuel cost of $23 suggests you won't need frequent, expensive fill-ups.
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 68.5 miles from Kronenwetter, WI, or about 1h 41m 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 30 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 41m 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 35m
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 Kronenwetter, 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 Kronenwetter, WI
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Kronenwetter, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Kronenwetter, WI · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Kronenwetter, 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
$21.42 one way
$42.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.52 | $47.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.36 | $52.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $11.99 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.18 | $8.77 |
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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
24 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 10m 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 Kronenwetter, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 137 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 173, Victory Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Kronenwetter, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.42 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 137 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kronenwetter, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Rapids, Albert Lea and Onalaska.
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