Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
223.3 mi
359 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Saint Germain, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 223.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m 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 64.4 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.92 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
111.6 miles from Saint Germain, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
This is a 4h 58m highway drive covering 223.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.4 miles on US 51.
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 84.1 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 223.3 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 84.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.9 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Take the exit toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Saint Germain, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
Wisconsin Rapids
Albert Lea
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 51 | 64.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| I 90 | 38.1 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 173 | 34 mi | 49m |
| Victory Road | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| I 39 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 34 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| County Road D | 7.6 mi | 12m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Germain, WI and La Crosse, WI.
Start on WI 70
Turn right onto Parkway Road
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J
Turn left onto CTH E
Continue on CTH D
Turn left onto WI 47; CTH D
Turn right onto CTH D
At end of road, turn left onto US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WI 34
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
Take the ramp onto WI 34
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
Take the exit onto WI 34
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
Continue on WI 54
Turn left onto CTH G
Continue on State Highway 173
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
Continue on WI 173
Turn right onto WI 21
Continue on WI 21
Continue on WI 21
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
Turn right onto CTH F
Turn left onto 16th Street South
Turn right onto Johnson Street
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
Arrive at 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.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Germain, 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 Saint Germain, WI
This is one driving day of about 223.3 miles and 4h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.6 mi from Saint Germain, WI · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111.6 miles from Saint Germain, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.4 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$33.92 one way
$67.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $37.39 | $74.78 |
| premium | $4.80 | $42.15 | $84.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.61 | $99.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67 | 0 | $23.45 | $10.72 |
| Efficient EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.54 | $8.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Saint Germain on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
73°F
Stockton, IL
112 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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