Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
1:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
160 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Oak Grove, WI covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Main Street, Losey Boulevard North, WI 33 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.01 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 3h 17m drive with frequent turns across 160 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Oak Grove, WI is easy. At 3h 17m 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 La Crosse, WI to Oak Grove, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | — | — |
| Losey Boulevard North | — | — |
| WI 33 | — | — |
| West Wisconsin Street | — | — |
| Highway 51 | — | — |
| Highway 16 | — | — |
| James Street | — | — |
| Park Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Oak Grove, WI.
Start on West Avenue South
Turn right
Turn straight onto Main Street
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Continue straight
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Keep slight right
Turn straight
Turn right onto West Wisconsin Street
Continue on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
Turn left onto State Highway 16
Continue on James Street
Turn left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Keep slight right
Turn straight onto Park Avenue
Continue on State Highway 33
Turn right onto County Road A
Turn left onto Arbor Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 38m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Grove, 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 160 miles and 3h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.01 one way
$50.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.46 | $54.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.33 | $70.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
1:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Oak Grove on Thursday
Local time
1:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Oak Grove, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for La Crosse, WI or Oak Grove, WI on MapSof.net.