The drive from Ozaukee County, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 202.7 miles and takes about 4h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, State Highway 33, State Highway 16 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.3 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.69 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
101.3 miles from Ozaukee County, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 202.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 25m highway drive covering 202.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 33. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.3 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 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 99.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 33. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue.
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 202.7 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 2.7 miles (WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.1 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64.2 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
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in|WI 33 / State Highway 33
Enter roundabout onto WI 33 / State Highway 33
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
7
156 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
195.1 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ozaukee County, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Portage along the way.
Portage
64.2 mi in|~1h 36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
99.3 mi
1h 46m
State Highway 33
36 mi
52m
State Highway 16
22.7 mi
31m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
East Washington Street
5.6 mi
11m
WI 16
4.9 mi
8m
West Cook Street
3.7 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ozaukee County, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on this road
164 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto CTH KK
0.3 mi·51 sec·County Highway KK
3
Turn left onto CTH LL
1.4 mi·2 min·County Highway LL
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
14 ft·0 sec·West Grand Avenue
5
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·28 sec·West Grand Avenue
6
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi·46 sec·State Highway 33
7
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi·16 sec·East Green Bay Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
102 ft·1 sec·East Green Bay Avenue
9
Continue on WI 33
0.1 mi·9 sec·East Green Bay Avenue
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
137 ft·2 sec·East Green Bay Avenue
11
Continue on WI 33
0.8 mi·2 min·East Green Bay Avenue
12
Turn slight right onto WI 33
1.5 mi·3 min·West Dekora Street
13
Continue on WI 33
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 33
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
260 ft·5 sec·State Highway 33
15
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
16
Continue on WI 33
5.6 mi·11 min·East Washington Street
17
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
5.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
18
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
19
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
21
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
22
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Street
23
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi·13 sec·Vine Street
24
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·28 sec·Barstow Street
25
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
26
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi·57 sec·Washington Street
27
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
28
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi·55 sec·Park Avenue
29
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
30
Merge onto US 151
13 mi·15 min·US 151
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 118Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
32
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft·5 sec
33
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi·20 sec·James Street
34
Continue on WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
35
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
36
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·East Wisconsin Street
37
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi·5 min·West Cook Street
38
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
39
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 90; I 94
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi·41 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
42
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
43
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
44
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
45
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
46
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
47
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
48
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
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 101.3 miles from Ozaukee County, WI, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 45 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h 28m 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 38m
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 Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County, WI
This is one driving day of about 202.7 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Ozaukee 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 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.3 mi from Ozaukee County, WI
· 2h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 101.3 miles from Ozaukee County, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 118.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.69 one way
$63.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.79
$69.59
premium
$4.89
$39.01
$78.02
diesel
$5.61
$44.75
$89.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.28
$9.73
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
EV Truck/SUV
81.1
1
$28.38
$12.97
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 16, 2026
Origin
Ozaukee County, WI
Late night
in Ozaukee County on Saturday
Local time
12:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
12:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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
23 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 25m 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 Ozaukee County, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 202.7 miles and takes about 4h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 33, State Highway 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.3 miles from Ozaukee County, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.69 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 202.7 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 2.7 miles (WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.1 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ozaukee County, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Portage along the way.
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.
