Origin
Monona, WI
Evening in Monona on Sunday
Local time
5:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
145.7 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Monona to La Crosse covers 145.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes to complete. This Midwestern journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you choose to linger at your destination. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $20, it remains an affordable trek across Wisconsin. The path utilizes a combination of Pflaum Road, South Stoughton Road, and I-39 North to navigate you efficiently between these two cities. Because the drive is relatively short, it offers great flexibility for those looking to maximize their time away without spending the entire day behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.9 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate highway cruise. You will start by navigating local streets like Pflaum Road and South Stoughton Road before transitioning to I-39 North. Because there is no significant highway percentage on this specific route, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience with frequent adjustments. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road here, as the longest stretch is 0 miles on Pflaum Road. Stay focused on the changing road conditions as you transition from the local sections onto the interstate portion of your journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pflaum Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pflaum Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Stoughton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 39 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WI 16 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Losey Boulevard North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 16th Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Pflaum Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
3
Turn left onto South Stoughton Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Stoughton Road
4
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
5
Merge slight left
1.2 mi
·
1 min
6
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells
7
Merge slight right
29 mi
·
31 min
8
Keep slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
10
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
11
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi
·
8 min
12
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
13
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
15
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
16
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
325 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 18-minute drive, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around your own personal preferences. You won't need to plan for any major stops along the way, but keeping your fuel budget around $20 will ensure you reach La Crosse without stress. Given the technical nature of the turn-heavy local roads, try to avoid peak traffic times in Monona to ensure a smoother start to your trip. Because the route lacks long, straight highway stretches, make sure you are comfortable with frequent navigation changes before you pull out of your driveway. Enjoy the flexibility this short duration provides by planning your arrival time to perfectly match your afternoon or evening activities.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 72.9 miles from Monona, WI, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.9 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monona, 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 Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 145.7 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monona, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.9 mi from Monona, WI · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 72.9 miles from Monona, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
The final approach into 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 La Crosse, 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
$22.13 one way
$44.26 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.40 | $48.79 |
| premium | $4.80 | $27.51 | $55.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.37 | $64.74 |
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: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $6.99 |
| Efficient EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.75 | $5.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.32 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m 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 Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 145.7 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pflaum Road, South Stoughton Road, I 39 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.9 miles from Monona, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.13 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.
The drive from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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