Trip from Rhinelander, WI to La Crosse, WI

Drive Time

4h 25m

Distance

202 mi

325 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Rhinelander, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 202 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 US 51, I 90, State Highway 173 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.3 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.68 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 miles from Rhinelander, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 25m highway drive covering 202 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.3 miles on US 51.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CTH P / West Kemp Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 202 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 0.4 miles (CTH P / West Kemp Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

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

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | CTH P / West Kemp Street

Turn right onto CTH P / West Kemp Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

62.8 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | I 39; US 51

Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...

75.3 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

89.6 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | WI 34

Take the exit onto WI 34 toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapid...

155.6 mi into trip | ~3h 27m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Rhinelander, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

Madison

62.8 mi in | ~1h 18m | via I 39; US 51

Wisconsin Rapids

75.3 mi in | ~1h 31m

Albert Lea

155.6 mi in | ~3h 27m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 51	46.3 mi	53m
I 90	38.1 mi	40m
State Highway 173	34 mi	49m
Victory Road	15.2 mi	22m
I 39	12.5 mi	13m
US 8	11.6 mi	15m
State Highway 34	9.9 mi	13m
WI 16	4.9 mi	8m

Longest stretch: US 51 — 46.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rhinelander, WI and La Crosse, WI.

Start on West King Street

200 ft · 11 sec · West King Street

Turn right onto South Stevens Street

356 ft · 9 sec · South Stevens Street

Continue on South Petham Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · South Petham Street

Continue on Arbutus Street

476 ft · 17 sec · Arbutus Street

Turn right onto CTH P

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Kemp Street

Use the right lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 8

134 ft · 7 sec · US Highway 8

Continue on US 8

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 8

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 8

12 mi · 15 min · US 8

Use the straight lane.

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 51

46 mi · 53 min · US 51

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51

13 mi · 13 min · I 39; US 51

Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec

Turn straight onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 34

Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C

123 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34

Continue on WI 34; CTH C

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 30 sec · WI 34

Merge onto US 10; WI 34

3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

Take the exit onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 49 sec · WI 34

Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34

15 mi · 22 min · Victory Road

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

185 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

Continue on WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

Turn left onto CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

Continue on State Highway 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

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

410 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 80

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173

Continue on WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173

Turn right onto WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Merge onto I 90

38 mi · 40 min · I 90

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

At end of road, turn left onto WI 16

4.9 mi · 8 min · WI 16

Continue on Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North

Turn right onto CTH F

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Turn left onto 16th Street South

0.8 mi · 2 min · 16th Street South

Turn right onto Johnson Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Johnson Street

At end of road, turn right onto WI 35

326 ft · 11 sec · West Avenue South

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 miles from Rhinelander, WI, or about 2h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101 miles or 2h 7m 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 Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander, WI

This is one driving day of about 202 miles and 4h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rhinelander, 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 US 51 for about 46.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101 mi from Rhinelander, WI · 2h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

101 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101 miles from Rhinelander, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.68 one way

$61.36 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$33.82	$67.65
premium	$4.80	$38.13	$76.27
diesel	$5.64	$44.88	$89.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60.6	0	$21.21	$9.70
Efficient EV	50.5	0	$17.67	$8.08
EV Truck/SUV	80.8	1	$28.28	$12.93

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

Local time and weather at both ends of the drive

Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Rhinelander, WI

Evening in Rhinelander on Saturday

Local time

5:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Forecast unavailable right now

CDT Live forecast

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Evening in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

5:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Forecast unavailable right now

CDT Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Rockford, IL

101 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

11 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

4h 25m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Rhinelander, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 202 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 US 51, I 90, State Highway 173. 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 miles from Rhinelander, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.68 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.

Between Rhinelander, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

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