Morgan, WI to La Crosse, WI is 208.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the familiar Midwest landscape. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a straightforward journey. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
104.3 miles from Morgan, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 208.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the travel on interstates. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 38.1 miles entirely on I 90. While much of the journey will feel familiar to anyone who has driven on major highways, you will briefly transition to State Highway 22 and East Follett Drive, offering a slight change of pace before you reach your destination. The overall feel is one of steady progress rather than winding scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 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 38.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East Follett Drive. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near WI 32 / State Highway 32.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 54m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (WI 32 / State Highway 32): Navigation decision point; at 65.9 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
3 mi into trip|~5m in|WI 32 / State Highway 32
Turn left onto WI 32 / State Highway 32
Navigation decision point
5
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|Royalton Street
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street toward CTH K
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward CTH K
6
162.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
6
201.1 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
5
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Morgan, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth K and Albert Lea.
Cth K
65.9 mi in|~1h 37m|via Royalton Street
Albert Lea
162.2 mi in|~3h 57m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
East Follett Drive
28.9 mi
40m
State Highway 22
24.5 mi
36m
State Highway 21
23.4 mi
32m
WI 54
17.6 mi
25m
State Highway 54
11.3 mi
16m
East 3rd Street
10.9 mi
15m
State Highway 55
10.4 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgan, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH E
3.0 mi·5 min·County Highway E
2
Turn left onto WI 32
8.1 mi·12 min·State Highway 32
3
Continue on WI 32
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Saint Augustine Street
4
Turn right onto WI 160
0.5 mi·44 sec·West Pulaski Street
5
Continue on WI 160
2.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 160
6
Continue on WI 55
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 55
7
Continue on WI 55; CTH C
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 55
8
Continue on WI 55
2.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
9
Turn right onto WI 54
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 54
10
Continue on WI 54
1.1 mi·1 min·East State Street
11
Continue on WI 54
5.4 mi·8 min·State Highway 54
12
Continue on WI 54
1.0 mi·1 min·Rexford Avenue
13
Continue on WI 54; WI 76
1.2 mi·1 min·West Avenue
14
Continue on WI 54; CTH M
18 mi·25 min·WI 54; CTH M
15
Continue on WI 22; WI 54; WI 110
6.6 mi·9 min·State Highway 22/54/110
16
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street
72 ft·1 sec·Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
17
Continue on Royalton Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
18
Continue on School Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·School Street
19
Turn slight left onto Lake Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Lake Street
20
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Main Street
21
Turn right onto Lakeside Parkway
0.7 mi·1 min·Lakeside Parkway
22
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
493 ft·8 sec·WI 22; CTH K
23
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.2 mi·21 sec·State Highway 22
24
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.4 mi·35 sec·Western Avenue South
25
Continue on WI 22
24 mi·35 min·State Highway 22
26
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi·32 sec·West Main Street
27
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.6 mi·1 min·South Cambridge Street
28
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
0.1 mi·39 sec·West Bird Avenue
29
Turn left onto WI 21
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 21
30
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi·49 sec·Wautoma Road
31
Continue on WI 21
29 mi·40 min·East Follett Drive
32
Continue on WI 21
11 mi·15 min·East 3rd Street
33
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 21
34
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
37
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
38
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
39
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
41
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
42
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
43
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
44
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
45
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
46
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
47
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 54-minute duration and 208.6-mile distance, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day. Starting in the morning will give you ample time to reach La Crosse well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively low fuel cost of $33, you can be quite flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye out for services along I 90, as it's your main artery for the majority of the drive; planning your one stop around a convenient exit on this highway is a good strategy.
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 104.3 miles from Morgan, WI, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 46 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 2h 35m 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 6m
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 Morgan, 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 Morgan, WI
This is one driving day of about 208.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Morgan, 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 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.3 mi from Morgan, WI
· 2h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 108 miles from Morgan, 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 107.9
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.61 one way
$65.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.81
$71.61
premium
$4.89
$40.14
$80.29
diesel
$5.61
$46.06
$92.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.25
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Morgan, WI
Evening
in Morgan on Friday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening
in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
6:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
104 mi in
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
26 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 54m 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 Morgan, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 208.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, East Follett Drive, State Highway 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.3 miles from Morgan, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.61 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 54m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (WI 32 / State Highway 32): Navigation decision point; at 65.9 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Morgan, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth K and Albert Lea.
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.
