Origin
Richmond, WI
Evening in Richmond on Friday
Local time
8:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, WI to La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
193.8 mi
312 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, WI
Kelly
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 193.8-mile drive from Richmond, Wisconsin, to La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 41 minutes. With 98% of the trip on highways, it's a highly efficient route, making it perfect for a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, and you'll primarily be navigating on I-90, I-39, and US-14. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent travel experience. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get from Point A to Point B.
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
96.9 miles from Richmond, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 193.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with an impressive 98% of the mileage on major interstates and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 102.6 miles on I-90, meaning you can settle in for extended periods without frequent exits. This profile suggests a route designed for covering distance efficiently, rather than one offering winding scenic byways. While primarily interstate, the combination of I-90, I-39, and US-14 might offer some variation in the landscape as you progress through Wisconsin.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 102.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 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 3h 41m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
5
17.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
83.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
147.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
186.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 39 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 14 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 89 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| East Racine Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Church Road
129 ft
·
12 sec
·
Church Road
2
Turn left onto CTH A
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
County Highway A
3
Turn right onto WI 89
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 89
4
Turn right onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 14; WI 11
5
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
6
Enter roundabout
10 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
7
Continue
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
8
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
12
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
13
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
14
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
16
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
18
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 41-minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for a single planned stop, as indicated by the data. The longest stretch of 102.6 miles on I-90 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, budgeting is simple. The flexibility of a shorter drive like this allows for spontaneous detours if you see something interesting, though this route is primarily focused on efficient travel.
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 96.9 miles from Richmond, WI, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, WI
This is one driving day of about 193.8 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Richmond, 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 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.9 mi from Richmond, WI · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from Richmond, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.6 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.30 one way
$60.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.27 | $66.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.30 | $74.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.79 | $85.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.96 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
8:41 PM
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
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
3h 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Richmond, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 193.8 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 39, US 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.9 miles from Richmond, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.30 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 41m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.7 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Richmond, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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