The drive from Three Lakes, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 223.8 miles and takes about 5h 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 $34.99 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
111.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 223.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h highway drive covering 223.8 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 50 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 21.7 miles in near West Davenport Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 223.8 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 21.7 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.6 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.7 mi into trip|~35m in|West Davenport Street
Turn right onto West Davenport Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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,...
6
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
6
111.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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...
6
177.4 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Three Lakes, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
84.6 mi in|~1h 53m|via I 39; US 51
Wisconsin Rapids
97.1 mi in|~2h 6m
Albert Lea
177.4 mi in|~4h 2m
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
State Highway 17
9.2 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 46.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Lakes, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Lake Drive
18 ft·2 sec·Lake Drive
2
Turn right onto US 45; WI 32
0.6 mi·1 min·Superior Street
3
Continue on CTH A
8.7 mi·15 min·County Road A
4
At end of road, turn left onto WI 17
9.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 17
5
Continue on WI 17
0.7 mi·1 min·North Stevens Street
6
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·19 sec
7
Continue on North Stevens Street
2.2 mi·4 min·North Stevens Street
8
Turn right onto West Davenport Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West Davenport Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto WI 47
0.2 mi·27 sec·State Highway 47
10
Enter roundabout onto US 8
26 ft·1 sec·US Highway 8
11
Continue on US 8
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 8
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 8
12 mi·15 min·US 8
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto US 51
46 mi·53 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
17
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
18
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
20
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
21
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
22
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
23
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
24
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
25
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
27
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
28
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
29
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
30
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
31
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
32
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
33
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
34
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
35
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
36
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
37
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
40
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
41
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
42
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
44
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
45
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
46
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
47
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
48
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
49
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
50
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 111.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI, or about 2h 27m 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 49 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 9m
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 Three Lakes, 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 Three Lakes, WI
This is one driving day of about 223.8 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Three Lakes, 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 111.9 mi from Three Lakes, WI
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 111.9 miles from Three Lakes, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Mosinee Cafe
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 95.9
Mosinee, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+17156933600
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 131.2
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.99 one way
$69.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.42
$76.83
premium
$4.89
$43.07
$86.14
diesel
$5.61
$49.41
$98.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.50
$10.74
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.58
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.33
$14.32
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Three Lakes, WI
Night
in Three Lakes on Friday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Night
in La Crosse on Friday
Local time
11:45 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
27 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
5h 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 Three Lakes, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 223.8 miles and takes about 5h 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 111.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.99 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 is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 223.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.7 miles (West Davenport Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.6 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Three Lakes, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
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.
