Origin
Woodruff, WI
Late night in Woodruff on Saturday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodruff, 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
4h 41m
Distance
212.2 mi
342 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodruff, WI
cottonbro studio
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Woodruff to La Crosse is 212.2 miles and takes about 4h 41m via Oneida Street and I 90, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through Wisconsin's Midwest region, offering a mixed drive experience that's manageable for a single day. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it a straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points within the state without needing an overnight stop.
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
106.1 miles from Woodruff, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 212.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This drive features a mix of highway and local road travel, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 71.1 miles on Oneida Street before transitioning to Interstate 90. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting you'll encounter varying road conditions and speeds throughout the 212.2 miles. Expect to navigate both faster highway segments and potentially slower local road sections as you make your way toward La Crosse.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Oneida Street is the longest continuous segment at about 71.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 212.2 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 73 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.8 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
85.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
99.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m 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
165.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m 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
6
204.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodruff, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.
Madison
73 mi in
|
~1h 34m
|
via I 39; US 51
Wisconsin Rapids
85.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Albert Lea
165.8 mi in
|
~3h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oneida Street | 71.1 mi | 1h 29m |
| 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 |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 21 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Oneida Street
— 71.1 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodruff, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Hemlock Street
202 ft
·
12 sec
·
Hemlock Street
3
Turn right onto WI 47
294 ft
·
8 sec
·
1st Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 51; WI 70
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Elm Street
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on US 51
71 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Oneida Street
Use the straight lane.
6
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
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 175
Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
8
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
9
Turn straight onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 34
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 34
11
Continue on WI 34; CTH C
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 34
12
Take the ramp onto WI 34
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
WI 34
13
Merge onto US 10; WI 34
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 10
14
Take the exit onto WI 34
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
WI 34
Exit 204
Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
15
Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34
15 mi
·
22 min
·
Victory Road
16
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73
185 ft
·
3 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
18
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue South
19
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wisconsin River Drive
20
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Letendre Avenue
21
Continue on WI 54
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 54
22
Turn left onto CTH G
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G
23
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 173
24
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173
410 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 80
25
Continue on WI 80; WI 173
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 173
26
Continue on WI 173
24 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 173
27
Turn right onto WI 21
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 21
28
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
31
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
33
Merge onto I 90
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 90
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
35
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
36
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
37
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
38
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
39
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
41
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under 5 hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Leaving Woodruff in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach La Crosse before evening. Plan for one stop to break up the 212.2-mile drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 71.1 miles on Oneida Street, as services might be more spread out than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost of $33 is a helpful budgeting tool for this journey.
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 106.1 miles from Woodruff, WI, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.1 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 47 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.1 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 52m
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 Woodruff, 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 Woodruff, WI
This is one driving day of about 212.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Woodruff, 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 Oneida Street for about 71.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.1 mi from Woodruff, WI · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.1 miles from Woodruff, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Oneida Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.18 one way
$66.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.42 | $72.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.84 | $81.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.85 | $93.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.28 | $10.19 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.57 | $8.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.9 | 1 | $29.71 | $13.58 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Late night in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
2:59 AM
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
3 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
4h 41m 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 Woodruff, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 212.2 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Oneida Street, I 90, State Highway 173. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.1 miles from Woodruff, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.18 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 26 significant decision points across 212.2 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 73 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.8 miles (WI 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Woodruff, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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