Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Gillett, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 54m
Distance
221.4 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 41m
★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Gillett, WI
Castorly Stock
Trip Overview
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Gillett, WI covers 221.4 miles and takes about 4h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, I 39, State Highway 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.1 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.61 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
110.7 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 55.1 mi | 59m |
| I 39 | 35.1 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 29 | 29.9 mi | 34m |
| State Highway 21 | 28.3 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 22 | 15.9 mi | 26m |
| West Grand Avenue | 14.6 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 49 | 13.2 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 55.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Gillett, 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
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9
Keep slight left at fork
91 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn left onto WI 80
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Bridge Street
11
Continue on WI 80
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 80
12
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 80
13
Continue on WI 80
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street
15
Continue on WI 21
28 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 21
16
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
17
Merge onto I 39; US 51
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 39; US 51
18
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51; WI 66
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 39; US 10; US 51; WI 66
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 159
Toward WI 66 East: Rosholt
20
Keep slight right at fork
187 ft
·
6 sec
21
Turn right onto WI 66
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Stanley Street
22
Continue on WI 66
15 mi
·
25 min
·
West Grand Avenue
23
Continue on WI 66
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Avenue West
24
Turn left onto WI 49
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 49
25
Continue on WI 49
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Avenue
26
Continue on WI 49
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 49
27
Take the ramp
221 ft
·
6 sec
28
Merge onto WI 29
30 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 29
29
Turn left onto CTH MMM; WI 29 Business
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road MMM
30
Continue on CTH MMM; WI 29 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Green Bay Street
31
Turn left onto North Union Street
328 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Union Street
32
Turn right onto East 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
East 5th Street
33
Turn right onto North Ellis Street
323 ft
·
19 sec
·
North Ellis Street
34
Turn left onto WI 22; WI 47; WI 55; WI 29 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Green Bay Street
35
Continue on WI 22
16 mi
·
26 min
·
State Highway 22
36
Continue on WI 22
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
West Main Street
37
Turn sharp right onto South Mackenzie Street
43 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Mackenzie Street
38
Arrive at destination
South Mackenzie 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 110.7 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.7 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gillett, 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 221.4 miles and 4h 54m.
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 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.7 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 62.2 and 138.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
WI 80 / State Highway 80
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80
Navigation decision point
5
138.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward WI 66 East: Rosholt
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 159
Toward WI 66 East: Rosholt
5
138.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.61 one way
$69.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.00 | $76.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.61 | $85.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.88 | $97.76 |
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: 77.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.25 | $10.63 |
| Efficient EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.37 | $8.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.00 | $14.17 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Gillett, WI
Afternoon in Gillett on Saturday
Local time
1:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Adams, WI
111 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 99.2
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 4h 54m highway drive covering 221.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 39. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.1 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 38 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 55.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 62.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 221.4 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.7 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Gillett, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 221.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Gillett, WI covers 221.4 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 39, State Highway 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.7 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 $34.61 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 221.4 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.7 miles (WI 80 / State Highway 80): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Gillett, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
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.
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