The drive from La Crosse, WI to Townsend, WI covers 223.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, State Highway 173, State Highway 64 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.6 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.91 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
111.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 223.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 15m highway drive covering 223.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 173. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.6 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 50 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 38.6 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 45.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 223.3 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
45.7 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
49.4 mi into trip|~1h in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
6
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
7
142.1 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Crosse, WI and Townsend, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton, Stevens Point and Green Bay - among others.
Saint Paul
45.7 mi in|~56m
Necedah
49.4 mi in|~1h
Cth P
116.1 mi in|~2h 38m|via WI 34
Cth Hh: Knowlton
116.1 mi in|~2h 38m|via WI 34
Stevens Point
116.1 mi in|~2h 38m|via WI 34
Green Bay
138.4 mi in|~3h 6m
Cth X: Weston
141.8 mi in|~3h 10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
38.6 mi
41m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
State Highway 64
31 mi
46m
State Highway 52
20.9 mi
29m
WI 13
14.3 mi
20m
I 39
11.4 mi
12m
State Highway 32
11 mi
16m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.6 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Townsend, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·2 min·West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft·12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
4.5 mi·8 min·WI 16
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
39 mi·41 min·I 90
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·55 sec
Exit 45Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
9
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi·3 min·I 94
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 143Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
11
Turn right onto WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
12
Continue on WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
13
Turn left onto WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
14
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
15
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·8 sec·State Highway 80
16
Turn right onto WI 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
17
Continue on CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
18
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
19
Continue on WI 54
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
21
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
64 ft·1 sec·2nd Avenue South
23
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
24
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73
0.8 mi·1 min·West Riverview Expressway
25
Continue on WI 13; WI 34
14 mi·20 min·WI 13; WI 34
26
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.3 mi·42 sec·WI 34
27
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
28
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·36 sec·WI 34
Exit 208Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
29
Turn left onto WI 34
0.1 mi·21 sec·State Highway 134
30
Continue on WI 34
0.2 mi·22 sec·WI 34
31
Continue on WI 34
9.5 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 34
132 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
33
Continue on WI 34
0.3 mi·39 sec·State Highway 34
34
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
35
Merge onto I 39; US 51
11 mi·12 min·I 39; US 51
36
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 187Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
37
Merge onto WI 29
2.5 mi·2 min·WI 29
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward CTH X: Weston, Camp Phillips Road
39
Keep slight left at fork
177 ft·6 sec
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn left onto CTH X
3.6 mi·7 min·Camp Phillips Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
41
Continue on CTH X
2.9 mi·4 min·County Road X
42
At end of road, turn right onto WI 52
21 mi·29 min·State Highway 52
43
At end of road, turn left onto US 45; WI 52
3.6 mi·4 min·US 45; WI 52
44
Continue on US 45; WI 47; WI 52
5.7 mi·9 min·South Superior Street
45
Turn right onto CTH F
0.6 mi·1 min·5th Avenue
46
Continue on Langlade Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Langlade Road
47
Turn right onto WI 64
31 mi·46 min·State Highway 64
48
At end of road, turn left onto WI 32
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 32
49
Turn left onto Elm Street
75 ft·3 sec·Elm Street
50
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
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 111.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.6 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Townsend, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 223.3 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from La Crosse, 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 38.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.6 mi from La Crosse, WI
· 2h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 111.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Townsend, WI
The final approach into Townsend, 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 Townsend, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 92.4
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.91 one way
$69.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.33
$76.66
premium
$4.89
$42.97
$85.94
diesel
$5.61
$49.30
$98.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.54
$8.93
EV Truck/SUV
89.3
1
$31.26
$14.29
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
12:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Townsend, WI
Afternoon
in Townsend on Saturday
Local time
12:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 15m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Townsend, WI covers 223.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 173, State Highway 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.6 miles from La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.91 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 223.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.1 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Crosse, WI and Townsend, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton, Stevens Point and Green Bay - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
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.
