The drive from La Crosse, WI to Montrose, WI covers 151 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, US 12, State Highway 78 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.7 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.61 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
75.5 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 151 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 11m highway drive covering 151 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.7 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 28 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 85.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort5/10
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 151 miles you will encounter 12 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 92.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These 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
92.8 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
93 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
93.2 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 12
Merge onto US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|WI 78 / State Highway 78
Turn right onto WI 78 / State Highway 78
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Montrose, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
92.8 mi in|~1h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
85.7 mi
1h 31m
US 12
22 mi
28m
State Highway 78
15.5 mi
22m
State Highway 92
11.2 mi
15m
WI 16
4.5 mi
8m
US Highway 14
2.1 mi
2m
State Highway 19/78
1.4 mi
2m
Phillips Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Montrose, 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
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 92Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
10
Merge onto US 12
22 mi·27 min·US 12
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 12; WI 60
1.2 mi·2 min·Phillips Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 12; WI 78
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 12; WI 78
13
Turn right onto WI 78
6.5 mi·9 min·State Highway 78
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on WI 78; WI 19
1.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 19/78
15
Turn left onto US 14; WI 78
2.1 mi·2 min·US Highway 14
16
Continue on US 14; WI 78
0.3 mi·38 sec·State Street
17
Turn right onto WI 78; CTH F
1.1 mi·1 min·Mills Street
18
Continue on WI 78
9.0 mi·13 min·State Highway 78
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 92
121 ft·2 sec·South 8th Street
20
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi·50 sec·South 8th Street
21
Turn straight onto WI 92
5.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 92
22
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Street
23
Continue on WI 92
5.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 92
24
Turn left onto Jim Town Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Jim Town Road
25
Turn straight onto Fritz Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Fritz Road
26
Turn left onto Montrose Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Montrose Road
27
Turn left onto Feller Drive
31 ft·1 sec·Feller Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Feller Drive
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 75.5 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 33 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montrose, 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 151 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 85.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.5 mi from La Crosse, WI
· 1h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.7 miles.
Arriving in Montrose, WI
The final approach into Montrose, 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 Montrose, 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 78.1
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
$23.61 one way
$47.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.92
$51.84
premium
$4.89
$29.06
$58.12
diesel
$5.61
$33.34
$66.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.3
0
$15.85
$7.25
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.21
$6.04
EV Truck/SUV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:37PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Montrose, WI
Late night
in Montrose on Saturday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:37PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
1 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
3h 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Montrose, WI covers 151 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 12, State Highway 78. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.5 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 $23.61 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151 miles you will encounter 12 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 92.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Montrose, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
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.
