Trip from La Crosse, WI to Saint Germain, WI

Drive Time

4h 58m

Distance

223.5 mi

360 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 45m ★

6 AM

4h 59m

8 AM

5h 26m

10 AM

5h 8m

12 PM

5h 6m

3 PM

5h 10m

5 PM

5h 24m

8 PM

4h 51m

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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La Crosse, WI

Tom Fisk

Saint Germain, WI

Eduardo Reiser

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Germain, WI covers 223.5 miles and takes about 4h 58m 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 64.6 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.95 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

111.8 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 58m highway drive covering 223.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.6 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 45 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 64.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,642 ft 669 ft

Total Climb

1,406 ft

Total Descent

446 ft

Highest Point

1,642 ft

~204.9 mi in

Elevation Range

973 ft

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.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 223.5 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 93.4 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 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

93.4 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive

At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive

Navigation decision point

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...

139.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | US 51; WI 29

Merge onto US 51; WI 29

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton and Stevens Point.

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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 51	64.6 mi	1h 18m
I 90	38.6 mi	41m
State Highway 173	34 mi	49m
WI 13	14.3 mi	20m
I 39	12.3 mi	13m
State Highway 34	9.9 mi	13m
County Road D	7.6 mi	12m
WI 16	4.5 mi	8m

Longest stretch: US 51 — 64.6 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, 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

48 mi · 55 min · US 51; WI 29

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 51

17 mi · 22 min · US 51

Turn right onto CTH D

7.6 mi · 12 min · County Road D

At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH D

0.6 mi · 53 sec · Bradley Street

Turn right onto CTH D

3.0 mi · 4 min · County Highway D

Turn straight onto CTH E

3.9 mi · 6 min · County Highway E

Turn right onto CTH J

4.4 mi · 7 min · County Road J

Turn left onto Parkway Road

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Parkway Road

At end of road, turn left onto WI 70

0.1 mi · 15 sec · State Highway 70

Arrive at destination

WI 70

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 111.8 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.8 miles or 2h 32m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Germain, 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 223.5 miles and 4h 58m.

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 US 51 for about 64.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 111.8 mi from La Crosse, WI · 2h 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Menomonee Falls, WI

112 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.8 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 US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.

Arriving in Saint Germain, WI

The final approach into Saint Germain, 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 Saint Germain, 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

$33.95 one way

$67.89 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$37.42	$74.85
premium	$4.80	$42.19	$84.38
diesel	$5.64	$49.65	$99.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.1	0	$23.47	$10.73
Efficient EV	55.9	0	$19.56	$8.94
EV Truck/SUV	89.4	1	$31.29	$14.30

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

4:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Germain, WI

Afternoon in Saint Germain on Sunday

Local time

4:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°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

11 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

4h 58m 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 Saint Germain, WI covers 223.5 miles and takes about 4h 58m 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 111.8 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 $33.95 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.

Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton and Stevens Point.

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Return Trip

Saint Germain, WI to La Crosse, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

223.3 mi 4h 58m

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Trip from La Crosse, WI to Saint Germain, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Saint Germain, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

La Crosse, WI

Saint Germain, WI

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 58m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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