Trip from La Crosse, WI to Conover, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 17m

Distance

235.4 mi

379 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 4m ★

6 AM

5h 18m

8 AM

5h 45m

10 AM

5h 27m

12 PM

5h 24m

3 PM

5h 28m

5 PM

5h 43m

8 PM

5h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Conover, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Conover, WI covers 235.4 miles and takes about 5h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 51, I 90, State Highway 173 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.5 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.80 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

117.7 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 235.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 17m highway drive covering 235.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.5 miles on US 51.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 90. 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 Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 235.4 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 30 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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

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

Exit 208 Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens...

201.7 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in | Arbutus Street

Turn left onto Arbutus Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

225.1 mi into trip | ~5h in | WI 17 / Bridge Street

Turn left onto WI 17 / Bridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left 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 Conover, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton, Stevens Point and Rhinelander.

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

Rhinelander

185.8 mi in | ~4h

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 51	46.5 mi	53m
I 90	38.6 mi	41m
State Highway 173	34 mi	49m
State Highway 17	19.7 mi	29m
WI 13	14.3 mi	20m
US 8	14.3 mi	20m
I 39	12.3 mi	13m
State Highway 34	9.9 mi	13m

Longest stretch: US 51 — 46.5 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Conover, WI.

Start on WI 35

0.7 mi · 2 min · West Avenue South

Turn right

350 ft · 12 sec

Turn straight onto CTH F

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North

Continue on WI 16

4.5 mi · 8 min · WI 16

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto I 90

39 mi · 41 min · I 90

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 55 sec

Exit 45 Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

Merge onto I 94

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 143 Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

Turn right onto WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Continue on WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

Turn left onto WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

410 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 80

Turn right onto WI 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

Continue on CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

At end of road, turn right onto WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

Continue on WI 54

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

64 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Riverview Expressway

Continue on WI 13; WI 34

14 mi · 20 min · WI 13; WI 34

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 42 sec · WI 34

Merge onto US 10; WI 34

3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

Take the exit onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 36 sec · WI 34

Exit 208 Toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point

Turn left onto WI 34

0.1 mi · 21 sec · State Highway 134

Continue on WI 34

0.2 mi · 22 sec · WI 34

Continue on WI 34

9.5 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

Enter roundabout onto WI 34

132 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34

Continue on WI 34

0.3 mi · 39 sec · State Highway 34

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 39; US 51

12 mi · 13 min · I 39; US 51

Merge onto US 51; WI 29

47 mi · 53 min · US 51; WI 29

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander

Keep slight right at fork

278 ft · 9 sec

Toward US 8: Rhinelander

Turn right onto US 8

14 mi · 20 min · US 8

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto CTH P

139 ft · 7 sec · West Kemp Street

Continue on CTH P

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Kemp Street

Turn left onto Arbutus Street

476 ft · 13 sec · Arbutus Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on South Petham Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · South Petham Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn slight left onto South Stevens Street

2.5 mi · 4 min · South Stevens Street

At end of road, turn left onto WI 17

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Stevens Street

Continue on WI 17

18 mi · 24 min · State Highway 17

Turn slight right

405 ft · 15 sec

Turn straight onto WI 17; WI 70

1.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 17

Turn left onto WI 17

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bridge Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 45; WI 17; WI 32

9.6 mi · 15 min · North Railroad Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 45; WI 32; CTH K

0.4 mi · 39 sec · US 45; WI 32; CTH K

Arrive at destination

US 45; WI 32

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 117.7 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 117.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conover, 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 235.4 miles and 5h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 51 for about 46.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 117.7 mi from La Crosse, WI · 2h 40m into the drive

city in and county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wausau, WI

118 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

Angelo, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stevens Point, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.7 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Conover, WI

The final approach into Conover, 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 Conover, 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

$36.80 one way

$73.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$40.41	$80.81
premium	$4.89	$45.30	$90.60
diesel	$5.61	$51.97	$103.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70.6	0	$24.72	$11.30
Efficient EV	58.9	0	$20.60	$9.42
EV Truck/SUV	94.2	1	$32.96	$15.07

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 Thursday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Conover, WI

Afternoon in Conover on Thursday

Local time

1:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°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

6 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 17m 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 Conover, WI covers 235.4 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 51, I 90, State Highway 173. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 117.7 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 $36.80 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.