The drive from Townsend, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 230.3 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 64, I 90, State Highway 173 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.7 miles on State Highway 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.00 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
115.1 miles from Townsend, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 16m highway drive covering 230.3 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 64 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.7 miles on State Highway 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 64 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 29 significant decision points across 230.3 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 71 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 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.
6
71 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
91 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
183.9 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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 Townsend, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
91 mi in|~2h 8m|via I 39; US 51
Wisconsin Rapids
103.6 mi in|~2h 22m
Albert Lea
183.9 mi in|~4h 18m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 64
58.7 mi
1h 26m
I 90
38.1 mi
40m
State Highway 173
34 mi
49m
US 51
19.7 mi
22m
Victory Road
15.2 mi
22m
I 39
12.5 mi
13m
State Highway 32
11 mi
16m
State Highway 34
9.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 64
— 58.7 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Townsend, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Elm Street
75 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 32
3
Turn right onto WI 64
33 mi·48 min·State Highway 64
4
Continue on Century Avenue
1.3 mi·1 min·Century Avenue
5
Turn left onto North Hogan Street
52 ft·3 sec·North Hogan Street
6
Turn right onto WI 64
26 mi·38 min·State Highway 64
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 51
20 mi·22 min·US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 175Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
11
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·6 sec
12
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 34
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft·2 sec·State Highway 34
14
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 34
15
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi·30 sec·WI 34
16
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 10
17
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi·49 sec·WI 34
Exit 204Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
18
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi·22 min·Victory Road
19
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft·3 sec·2nd Avenue South
21
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue South
22
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi·2 min·Wisconsin River Drive
23
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi·2 min·Letendre Avenue
24
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 54
25
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi·3 min·County Highway G
26
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 173
27
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft·7 sec·State Highway 80
28
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi·1 min·State Highway 173
29
Continue on WI 173
24 mi·33 min·State Highway 173
30
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 21
31
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi·33 sec·East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·12 sec·State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
34
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi·2 min·I 94
35
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 147Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
36
Merge onto I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 90
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 5Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
38
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi·8 min·WI 16
39
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
40
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
41
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi·2 min·16th Street South
42
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Johnson Street
43
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft·11 sec·West Avenue South
44
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 115.1 miles from Townsend, WI, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 51 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.1 miles or 2h 38m 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 23m
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 Townsend, 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 Townsend, WI
This is one driving day of about 230.3 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Townsend, 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 State Highway 64 for about 58.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.1 mi from Townsend, WI
· 2h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 115.1 miles from Townsend, 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.
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 135.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.00 one way
$72.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.53
$79.06
premium
$4.89
$44.32
$88.64
diesel
$5.61
$50.85
$101.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 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
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
EV Truck/SUV
92.1
1
$32.24
$14.74
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 16, 2026
Origin
Townsend, WI
Afternoon
in Townsend on Thursday
Local time
1:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon
in La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
1:48 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
29 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 16m 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 Townsend, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 230.3 miles and takes about 5h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 64, 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 115.1 miles from Townsend, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.00 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 29 significant decision points across 230.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 71 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 91 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Townsend, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
