The drive from Montrose, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 12m 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 Highway 12 & State Highway 60, State Highway 78 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.1 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.76 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
76 miles from Montrose, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 152 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 152 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US Highway 12 & State Highway 60. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.1 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 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US Highway 12 & State Highway 60. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 14.2 miles in near WI 78 / State Highway 78.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 12m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (WI 78 / State Highway 78): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 34.6 miles (US 12; WI 78): Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
14.2 mi into trip|~21m in|WI 78 / State Highway 78
Enter roundabout onto WI 78 / State Highway 78
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
34.6 mi into trip|~51m in|US 12; WI 78
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; WI 78
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
58 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Cla...
7
105.4 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
144.5 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
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 Montrose, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.
Eau Claire
58 mi in|~1h 23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
86.1 mi
1h 32m
US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
22.1 mi
28m
State Highway 78
15.5 mi
23m
State Highway 92
11.2 mi
15m
WI 16
4.9 mi
8m
US Highway 14
2.1 mi
2m
US 12
1.4 mi
3m
State Highway 19/78
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montrose, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Feller Drive
31 ft·2 sec·Feller Drive
2
Turn right onto Montrose Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Montrose Road
3
Turn right onto Fritz Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Fritz Road
4
Turn slight left onto Jim Town Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Jim Town Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto WI 92
5.5 mi·7 min·State Highway 92
6
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Street
7
Continue on WI 92
5.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 92
8
Continue on WI 92
0.5 mi·51 sec·South 8th Street
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 78
127 ft·2 sec·State Highway 78
10
Continue on WI 78
9.0 mi·13 min·State Highway 78
11
Continue on WI 78
1.1 mi·1 min·Mills Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 14; WI 78
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Street
13
Continue on US 14; WI 78
2.1 mi·2 min·US Highway 14
14
Turn right onto WI 78; WI 19
1.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 19/78
15
Continue on WI 78
6.5 mi·9 min·State Highway 78
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; WI 78
1.4 mi·3 min·US 12; WI 78
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 12; WI 60
22 mi·28 min·US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire
19
Merge onto I 90; I 94
47 mi·50 min·I 90; I 94
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi·41 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
22
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
23
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
24
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
25
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
26
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
28
Arrive at destination
WI 35
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 76 miles from Montrose, WI, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 33 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 43m 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 35m
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 Montrose, 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 Montrose, WI
This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Montrose, 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 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Montrose, WI
· 1h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Montrose, 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 86.1 miles.
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.
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 73.4
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
$23.76 one way
$47.53 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.09
$52.18
premium
$4.89
$29.25
$58.50
diesel
$5.61
$33.56
$67.12
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: 53.2 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
45.6
0
$15.96
$7.30
Efficient EV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
EV Truck/SUV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
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
Montrose, WI
Late night
in Montrose on Saturday
Local time
1:29 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
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:29 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m 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 Montrose, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US Highway 12 & State Highway 60, 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 76 miles from Montrose, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.76 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 is a straightforward 3h 12m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (WI 78 / State Highway 78): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 34.6 miles (US 12; WI 78): Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montrose, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire 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.
