Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
220.9 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Photo: Eduardo Reiser
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Saint Germain, WI covers 220.9 miles and takes about 4h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 51, State Highway 173, I 90 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 $33.55 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
110.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
This is a 4h 50m highway drive covering 220.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and State Highway 173. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.6 miles on US 51.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and State Highway 173. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 220.9 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 43.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.8 miles (WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive
Navigation decision point
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
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between North La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul, Necedah, Cth P, Cth Hh: Knowlton and Stevens Point.
Saint Paul
Necedah
Cth P
Cth Hh: Knowlton
Stevens Point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 64.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| I 90 | 27.9 mi | 29m |
| WI 13 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| I 39 | 12.3 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| County Road D | 7.6 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Saint Germain, WI.
Start on US 53; CTH B
Take the exit onto US 53
Continue on I 90
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto WI 21
Continue on WI 21
Turn left onto WI 173
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
Turn right onto WI 173
Continue on CTH G
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
Continue on WI 54
At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73
Continue on WI 13; WI 34
Take the ramp onto WI 34
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34
Turn left onto WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Enter roundabout onto WI 34
Continue on WI 34
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 39; US 51
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
Turn right onto CTH D
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH D
Turn right onto CTH D
Turn straight onto CTH E
Turn right onto CTH J
Turn left onto Parkway Road
At end of road, turn left onto WI 70
Arrive at destination
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.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Germain, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North 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 North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 220.9 miles and 4h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.5 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.5 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$33.55 one way
$67.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $36.99 | $73.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $41.70 | $83.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.08 | $98.15 |
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: 77.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.19 | $10.60 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.33 | $8.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.93 | $14.14 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Saint Germain on Saturday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Bonduel, WI
110 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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Return Trip
Saint Germain, WI to North La Crosse, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Saint Germain, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for North La Crosse, WI or Saint Germain, WI on MapSof.net.
