Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
160 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Oak Grove, WI
Tom Fisk
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Oak Grove, WI covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 17m 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 16, US 151 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.6 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.01 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
80 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 17m highway drive covering 160 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.6 miles on I 90.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. 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.
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 160 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 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Oak Grove, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Baraboo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.6 mi | 31m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| WI 33 | 4 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 33 | 3 mi | 4m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Oak Grove, WI.
Start on WI 35
Turn right
Turn straight onto CTH F
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Continue on WI 16
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WI 33
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
Continue on US 51; WI 16
Turn left onto WI 16
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
Turn left
Merge onto US 151
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WI 33
Continue on WI 33
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH I
Turn left onto Arbor Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 33m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Grove, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 160 miles and 3h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80 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 99.6 miles.
The final approach into Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.01 one way
$50.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.46 | $54.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.33 | $70.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
1:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Oak Grove on Friday
Local time
1:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Oak Grove, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
