Origin
Onalaska, WI
Afternoon in Onalaska on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Onalaska, WI to La Crosse, WI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
17m
Distance
6.3 mi
10 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Onalaska, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit between Onalaska and La Crosse, this 6.2-mile connection is as efficient as it gets. Expect to spend about 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight planning. You will navigate entirely via local roads, specifically West George Street, Lang Drive, and West Avenue North, with zero highway driving involved. Budgeting for this trip is incredibly simple, as you will likely spend no more than $1 on fuel. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition is seamless and familiar. This route is a practical choice for those needing to move between these Wisconsin communities quickly without the complexity of interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
3.2 miles from Onalaska, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 15-minute journey is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than high-speed cruising. Because the entire route relies on surface streets, you will not encounter any interstate segments, keeping your highway share at a total of 0 percent. You should be prepared for a steady, urban pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch on West George Street is essentially negligible. The road layout requires your full attention as you transition between the various local thoroughfares. Unlike monotonous highway grinds, this drive keeps you engaged with frequent turns and standard city traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
2nd Avenue North is the longest continuous segment at about 2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near WI 35 / West George Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 17m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (WI 35 / West George Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (13th Street South): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WI 35 / West George Street
Turn left onto WI 35 / West George Street
Navigation decision point
4
5.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
4
5.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
13th Street South
Turn right onto 13th Street South
Navigation decision point
4
6.2 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Johnson Street
Turn right onto Johnson Street
Navigation decision point
5
6.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
Turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Avenue North | 2 mi | 4m |
| West George Street | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| Lang Drive | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 13th Street South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Johnson Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
2nd Avenue North
— 2 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Onalaska, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
2nd Avenue North
2
Turn left onto WI 35
1.8 mi
·
5 min
·
West George Street
3
Continue on WI 35
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Lang Drive
4
Continue on WI 35
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue North
5
Turn left onto Madison Street
449 ft
·
17 sec
·
Madison Street
6
Turn right onto 13th Street South
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street South
7
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Johnson Street
8
Turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
9
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 6.2-mile excursion, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go without a break. Keep a close eye on your navigation when moving between West George Street and West Avenue North, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be easy to misjudge if you aren't paying attention. Given the minimal fuel cost of $1, you don't need to stress about finding the cheapest gas station along the way. Use the brevity of this drive to your advantage by focusing on your arrival in La Crosse rather than the transit itself.
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 3.2 miles from Onalaska, WI, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2 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 6 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.2 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Onalaska, WI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Onalaska, WI
This is one driving day of about 6.3 miles and 17m.
At 6.3 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on 2nd Avenue North for about 2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.2 mi from Onalaska, WI · 8m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.2 miles from Onalaska, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into La Crosse, WI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$0.98 one way
$1.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.08 | $2.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.21 | $2.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Efficient EV | 1.6 | 0 | $0.55 | $0.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.88 | $0.40 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Afternoon in La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
12 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
17m 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 Onalaska, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 6.3 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 2nd Avenue North, West George Street, Lang Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.2 miles from Onalaska, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $0.98 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.
This is a straightforward 17m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (WI 35 / West George Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (13th Street South): Navigation decision point.
The route from Onalaska, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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