Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Monona, WI
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
144.3 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from La Crosse to Monona, you are in for a straightforward 144.3-mile journey across Wisconsin. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stop. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, transitioning briefly onto WI-16 and North Stoughton Road as you reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $22 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably. Given the efficiency of this route, you can easily head out in the morning and arrive in Monona with plenty of time to spare for your afternoon plans.
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
72.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 95% of this route is comprised of high-speed transit. The drive is dominated by a long, 131-mile stretch on I-90, which dictates the steady, monotonous pace of the journey. Because you are spending nearly the entire time on major interstates, you won't encounter many technical turns or winding backroads. Instead, the trip serves as a functional, no-nonsense connection between these two Midwest hubs. Keep in mind that the character of the drive remains consistent throughout, allowing you to settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the main highway corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 131 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 16. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
138.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 39; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
7
138.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward WI 30: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138B
Toward WI 30: Madison
8
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 51, I 39 Alternate, I 94 Alternate: Stoughton Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1C
Toward US 51, I 39 Alternate, I 94 Alternate: S...
7
139.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 131 mi | 2h 20m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| North Stoughton Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| WI 30 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 131 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Monona, 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
131 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
0.1 mi
·
6 sec
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 138B
Toward WI 30: Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on WI 30
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 30
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 1C
Toward US 51, I 39 Alternate, I 94 Alternate: Stoughton Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
476 ft
·
13 sec
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto US 51
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stoughton Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
15
Continue on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop during the 2-hour and 45-minute drive to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the long interstate stretches can lead to driver fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving La Crosse so you can manage your $22 fuel budget effectively across the 144.3-mile distance. Because the majority of your time is spent on I-90, be prepared for heavier traffic as you approach the Monona area via North Stoughton Road. Checking local traffic reports before you leave will help you navigate the final transition into the city smoothly.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.2 miles or 1h 24m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monona, 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 144.3 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 131 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.2 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131 miles.
Arriving in Monona, WI
The final approach into Monona, 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 Monona, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.92 one way
$43.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.16 | $48.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $27.24 | $54.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.06 | $64.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| Efficient EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.63 | $5.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.20 | $9.24 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 45m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Monona, WI covers 144.3 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, WI 16, North Stoughton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.2 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 $21.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from La Crosse, WI to Monona, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Monona, WI
More trips to Monona, WI
Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Monona, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for La Crosse, WI or Monona, WI on MapSof.net.