Drive Time
2h
Distance
79.1 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Augusta, WI covers 79.1 miles and takes about 2h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, WI 157, US Highway 53 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.2 miles on South Main Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.01 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Augusta, WI covers 79.1 miles and takes about 2h, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Augusta, WI is easy. At 2h with 44% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 53; WI 121; CTH D / Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; WI 27
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | 24.2 mi | 34m |
| WI 157 | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 53 | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Main Street | 8.6 mi | 13m |
| County Highway R | 6.8 mi | 11m |
| US 53 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| WI 16 | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| 10th Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Augusta, WI.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 79.1 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 79.1 miles and 2h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from La Crosse, WI · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
A short stop after about 79.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Augusta, 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 Augusta, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.01 one way
$24.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.24 | $26.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.93 | $29.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.57 | $35.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.31 | $3.80 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Augusta on Saturday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
51°F
Dubuque, IA
40 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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