Outagamie County, WI to La Crosse, WI is 176.4 miles and takes about 4h 8m via I 90, East Follett Drive, and State Highway 22, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Wisconsin, offering a straightforward journey. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. With a recommended one-day duration, you can easily fit this into a weekend or as a segment of a larger trip without feeling rushed.
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
88.2 miles from Outagamie County, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 176.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the drive on faster roads. You'll experience stretches of efficient travel, including a notable 38.1-mile segment on I 90 where you can cover ground quickly. While much of the journey involves higher speeds, the inclusion of State Highway 22 and East Follett Drive suggests a transition to more local road driving as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of steady highway cruising and potentially more varied scenery as you move off the interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 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. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near WI 47; CTH A / State Highway 47.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 176.4 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (WI 47; CTH A / State Highway 47): Navigation decision point; at 33.6 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 130 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|WI 47; CTH A / State Highway 47
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH A / State Highway 47
Navigation decision point
5
33.6 mi into trip|~50m in|Royalton Street
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street toward CTH K
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward CTH K
6
130 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
176.3 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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 Outagamie County, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth K and Albert Lea.
Cth K
33.6 mi in|~50m|via Royalton Street
Albert Lea
130 mi in|~3h 10m
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
East 3rd Street
10.9 mi
15m
State Highway 22/54/110
6.6 mi
9m
County Road A
6.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Outagamie County, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Krueger Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Krueger Road
2
Turn left onto CTH A
244 ft·7 sec·County Road A
3
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH A
0.3 mi·26 sec·State Highway 47
4
Turn left onto CTH A
6.3 mi·8 min·County Road A
5
At end of road, turn right onto WI 76
1.1 mi·1 min·WI 76
6
Turn left onto WI 54; WI 76
1.2 mi·1 min·West Avenue
7
Continue on WI 54; CTH M
18 mi·25 min·WI 54; CTH M
8
Continue on WI 22; WI 54; WI 110
6.6 mi·9 min·State Highway 22/54/110
9
Enter roundabout onto Royalton Street
72 ft·1 sec·Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
10
Continue on Royalton Street
1.9 mi·3 min·Royalton Street
Toward CTH K
11
Continue on School Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·School Street
12
Turn slight left onto Lake Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Lake Street
13
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Main Street
14
Turn right onto Lakeside Parkway
0.7 mi·1 min·Lakeside Parkway
15
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
493 ft·8 sec·WI 22; CTH K
16
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.2 mi·21 sec·State Highway 22
17
Continue on WI 22; CTH K
0.4 mi·35 sec·Western Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 22
24 mi·35 min·State Highway 22
19
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi·32 sec·West Main Street
20
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.6 mi·1 min·South Cambridge Street
21
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
0.1 mi·39 sec·West Bird Avenue
22
Turn left onto WI 21
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 21
23
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi·49 sec·Wautoma Road
24
Continue on WI 21
29 mi·40 min·East Follett Drive
25
Continue on WI 21
11 mi·15 min·East 3rd Street
26
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 21
27
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
30
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
31
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
32
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
34
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
35
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
36
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
37
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
38
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
39
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
40
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given this is a manageable 4-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach La Crosse without needing an overnight stay, and you can easily break up the journey with a short stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into the longer 38.1-mile stretch on I 90, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The inclusion of State Highway 22 might offer a slightly different driving experience, so be prepared for potential changes in speed limits and road conditions as you near your 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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.2 miles from Outagamie County, WI, or about 2h 11m 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 39 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 miles or 2h 11m 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 26m
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 Outagamie County, 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 Outagamie County, WI
This is one driving day of about 176.4 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Outagamie County, 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 88.2 mi from Outagamie County, WI
· 2h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.2 miles from Outagamie County, 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.58 one way
$55.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.28
$60.56
premium
$4.89
$33.95
$67.89
diesel
$5.61
$38.95
$77.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.06
EV Truck/SUV
70.6
0
$24.70
$11.29
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 14, 2026
Origin
Outagamie County, WI
Evening
in Outagamie County on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening
in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
88 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
9 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 8m 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 Outagamie County, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 176.4 miles and takes about 4h 8m 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 88.2 miles from Outagamie County, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.58 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 176.4 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (WI 47; CTH A / State Highway 47): Navigation decision point; at 33.6 miles (Royalton Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 130 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Outagamie County, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth K and Albert Lea.
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.
