Origin
Tomah, WI
Evening in Tomah on Wednesday
Local time
6:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tomah, WI to La Crosse, WI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
57m
Distance
44.2 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tomah, WI
SHOX ART
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Tomah to La Crosse, you are looking at a quick, efficient 44.2-mile journey through the heart of Wisconsin. You can easily complete this trip in about 57 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting roughly $7 for fuel will cover your transit across these two Midwest locations. Because the duration is under an hour, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward drive offers a hassle-free connection between these two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
22.1 miles from Tomah, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by speed and efficiency, as 92% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which accounts for a 34.9-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. The route relies on a combination of I-90, WI-16, and State Highway 131 to bridge the gap between your starting point and your destination. While the interstate provides a fast-paced environment, the transition to state highways ensures you reach your specific local arrival point smoothly. It is a focused, highway-centric experience designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 34.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,160 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
262 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
1,160 ft
~6.3 mi in
Elevation Range
492 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (CTH F / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
36.6 mi into trip
|
~41m 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
4
42.3 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
CTH F / Main Street
Turn right onto CTH F / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
43.8 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
Johnson Street
Turn right onto Johnson Street
Navigation decision point
5
44.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
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 Tomah, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Onalaska along the way.
Onalaska
36.6 mi in
|
~41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 34.9 mi | 37m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 131 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Superior Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Johnson Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 34.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tomah, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on East Lacrosse Street
165 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Lacrosse Street
2
Turn left onto US 12
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Superior Avenue
3
Continue on WI 131
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 131
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
5
Merge onto I 90
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 90
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
7
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
8
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
9
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
10
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
11
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
13
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to schedule any formal stops, as the 44.2-mile distance is easily manageable in a single stint behind the wheel. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you have enough to cover the trip without worry. Given the high percentage of highway travel, keep a close watch on your speed as you transition between I-90 and the state highways. Enjoy the simplicity of this route by using the extra time you save on the road to explore La Crosse upon your arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 22.1 miles from Tomah, WI, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.9 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 10 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.1 miles or 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Tomah, WI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tomah, WI
This is one driving day of about 44.2 miles and 57m.
At 44.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 34.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.1 mi from Tomah, WI · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.1 miles from Tomah, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into La Crosse, WI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.91 one way
$13.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.59 | $15.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.51 | $17.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.76 | $19.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.87 | $1.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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 Wednesday
Local time
6:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 3 to 9 mph
71% chance
Live forecast
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
57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tomah, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 44.2 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, WI 16, State Highway 131. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.1 miles from Tomah, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 57m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (CTH F / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Tomah, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Onalaska along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 669 ft to 1,160 ft elevation with about 262 ft of total climbing.
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