Trip from Mercer, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Drive Time

5h 16m

Distance

240.4 mi

387 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

24 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 3m ★

6 AM

5h 17m

8 AM

5h 43m

10 AM

5h 26m

12 PM

5h 23m

3 PM

5h 27m

5 PM

5h 42m

8 PM

5h 8m

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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Mercer, WI

Wolrider YURTSEVEN

North La Crosse, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Mercer, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 240.4 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Oneida Street, I 90, State Highway 173 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.1 miles on Oneida Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.51 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

120.2 miles from Mercer, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Mercer, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 240.4 miles and takes about 5h 16m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Oneida Street is the longest continuous segment at about 71.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.9 miles in near I 39; US 51.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 240.4 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 103.9 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.8 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

103.9 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 39; US 51

Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...

116.4 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

130.8 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | WI 34

Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapid...

196.8 mi into trip | ~4h 27m in

Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

238.6 mi into trip | ~5h 12m in | I 90; US 53

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Towns Along This Route

Between Mercer, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

Madison

103.9 mi in | ~2h 18m | via I 39; US 51

Wisconsin Rapids

116.4 mi in | ~2h 31m

Albert Lea

196.8 mi in | ~4h 27m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Oneida Street	71.1 mi	1h 29m
I 90	41.3 mi	44m
State Highway 173	34 mi	49m
US 51	32.8 mi	48m
Victory Road	15.2 mi	22m
I 39	12.5 mi	13m
State Highway 34	9.9 mi	13m
State Highway 21	4.1 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Oneida Street — 71.1 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercer, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

Start on US 51

33 mi · 48 min · US 51

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 51

71 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Oneida Street

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51

13 mi · 13 min · I 39; US 51

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec

Turn straight onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 34

Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C

123 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34

Continue on WI 34; CTH C

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 30 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 · 49 sec · WI 34

Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34

15 mi · 22 min · Victory Road

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

185 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

Continue on WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

Turn left onto CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

Continue on State Highway 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173

410 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 80

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173

Continue on WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173

Turn right onto WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Merge onto I 90

41 mi · 43 min · I 90

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53

0.2 mi · 37 sec · I 90; US 53

Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Turn left onto US 53; WI 35

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

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 120.2 miles from Mercer, WI, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.1 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 80 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.2 miles or 2h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Mercer, 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 Mercer, WI

This is one driving day of about 240.4 miles and 5h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mercer, 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 Oneida Street for about 71.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.2 mi from Mercer, WI · 2h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bonduel, WI

120 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.

Popular next leg

Bonduel, WI to North La Crosse, WI

190.6 mi · 4h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Big Flats, WI

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 120.2 miles from Mercer, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Oneida Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.1 miles.

Arriving in North La Crosse, WI

The final approach into North La Crosse, 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 North La Crosse, 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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 149.2

Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River

Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.51 one way

$73.03 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$40.25	$80.51
premium	$4.80	$45.38	$90.77
diesel	$5.64	$53.41	$106.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

24 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Trig's - Tesla Supercharger

Minocqua, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

The Hilton Garden Inn - Tesla Supercharger

Wausau, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Taphouse Twenty - Tesla Supercharger

Tomah, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Target T0364 (Schofield, WI)

Schofield, WI

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Rapids Ford - DCFC

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Blink Network

6 DCFC

Midwest Prairie Business Center - Tesla Supercharger

Onalaska, WI

Tesla

6 DCFC

Kocourek Ford

Wausau, WI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Walmart 965 (Tomah, WI)

Tomah, WI

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 Tesla: 4 Blink Network: 4 FORD_CHARGE: 2 EV Connect: 2 Electrify America: 2 FLO: 2 KWIK_CHARGE: 2 ZEFNET: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.1	0	$25.24	$11.54
Efficient EV	60.1	0	$21.04	$9.62
EV Truck/SUV	96.2	1	$33.66	$15.39

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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 1 minute ago

Origin

Mercer, WI

Afternoon in Mercer on Monday

Local time

12:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in North La Crosse on Monday

Local time

12:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 mph 48% chance 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

28 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

5h 16m 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 Mercer, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 240.4 miles and takes about 5h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Oneida Street, I 90, State Highway 173. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 120.2 miles from Mercer, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.51 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 Mercer, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

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Return Trip

North La Crosse, WI to Mercer, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

240.8 mi 5h 16m

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Trip from Mercer, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

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 North La Crosse, WI

National Parks Near This Route

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mercer, WI

North La Crosse, WI

Same local time

28 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 16m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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