Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Stevens Point, WI

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

112.8 mi

182 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 21m ★

6 AM

2h 31m

8 AM

2h 52m

10 AM

2h 38m

12 PM

2h 36m

3 PM

2h 39m

5 PM

2h 51m

8 PM

2h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in Portage County, Wisconsin, United States

Stevens Point, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Stevens Point, WI covers 112.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Highway 173, I 90, US 53 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34 miles on State Highway 173. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.63 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

56.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 112.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 31m highway drive covering 112.8 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 173 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 34 miles on State Highway 173.

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.

State Highway 173 is the longest continuous segment at about 34 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 173 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 43.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 31m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 51.3 miles (WI 173 / State Highway 173): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

43.1 mi into trip | ~47m in

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

Exit 45 Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

46.8 mi into trip | ~51m in

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

Exit 143 Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

51.3 mi into trip | ~58m in | WI 173 / State Highway 173

Turn left onto WI 173 / State Highway 173

Navigation decision point

90.8 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive

At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73 / Wisconsin River Drive

Navigation decision point

112.7 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | WI 66 / Main Street

Turn left onto WI 66 / Main Street

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 North La Crosse, WI and Stevens Point, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Necedah.

Saint Paul

43.1 mi in | ~47m

Necedah

46.8 mi in | ~51m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Highway 173	34 mi	49m
I 90	27.9 mi	29m
US 53	14 mi	15m
State Highway 66	12.7 mi	17m
State Highway 21	4 mi	5m
WI 13	3 mi	4m
I 94	2.9 mi	3m
State Highway 54	2.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: State Highway 173 — 34 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 53; CTH B

1.2 mi · 2 min · Rose Street

Take the exit onto US 53

14 mi · 15 min · US 53

Continue on I 90

28 mi · 29 min · I 90

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 55 sec

Exit 45 Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

Merge onto I 94

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 143 Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

Turn right onto WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Continue on WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

Turn left onto WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173

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

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

410 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 80

Turn right onto WI 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

Continue on CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

At end of road, turn right onto WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

Continue on WI 54

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

64 ft · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 73

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Riverview Expressway

Continue on WI 13; WI 34

3.0 mi · 4 min · WI 13; WI 34

Turn right onto WI 66

13 mi · 17 min · State Highway 66

Continue on WI 66

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Clark Street

Continue on WI 66

0.6 mi · 58 sec · West Clark Street

Continue on WI 66

0.7 mi · 2 min · Clark Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto Philips Street

404 ft · 19 sec · Philips Street

Turn left onto WI 66

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

WI 66

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 56.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 25 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stevens Point, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

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 112.8 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from North La Crosse, 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 State Highway 173 for about 34 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.4 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 1h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Norway Ridge, WI

56 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

Sparta, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Norway Ridge, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Stevens Point, WI

The final approach into Stevens Point, 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 Stevens Point, 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 85.6

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

$17.63 one way

$35.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$19.36	$38.73
premium	$4.89	$21.71	$43.41
diesel	$5.61	$24.90	$49.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.8	$11.84	$5.41
Efficient EV	28.2	$9.87	$4.51
EV Truck/SUV	45.1	$15.79	$7.22

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 16, 2026

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Night in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

11:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Sunny

SW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Stevens Point, WI

Night in Stevens Point on Thursday

Local time

11:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Sunny

W 5 mph 0% 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

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

2h 31m 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 North La Crosse, WI to Stevens Point, WI covers 112.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Highway 173, I 90, US 53. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.63 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.

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 2h 31m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Between North La Crosse, WI and Stevens Point, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Necedah.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Stevens Point, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.

Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Stevens Point, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Stevens Point, WI

National Parks Near This Route

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

North La Crosse, WI

Stevens Point, WI

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Stevens Point, WI

More from North La Crosse, WI

More trips to Stevens Point, WI