Trip from Woodruff, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

209.4 mi

337 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 19m ★

6 AM

4h 33m

8 AM

5h 0m

10 AM

4h 42m

12 PM

4h 39m

3 PM

4h 43m

5 PM

4h 58m

8 PM

4h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

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Trip Overview

The drive from Woodruff, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 209.4 miles and takes about 4h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Oneida Street, I 90, State Highway 173 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.1 miles on Oneida Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.74 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

104.7 miles from Woodruff, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 209.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Woodruff, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 209.4 miles and takes about 4h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 36 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 209.4 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 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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,...

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

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...

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

207.6 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in | I 90; US 53

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: 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 North 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	41.3 mi	44m
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
State Highway 21	4.1 mi	5m
US Highway 10	3.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Oneida Street — 71.1 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Woodruff, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

Start on this road

61 ft · 6 sec · this road

Turn right onto Hemlock Street

202 ft · 12 sec · Hemlock Street

Turn right onto WI 47

294 ft · 8 sec · 1st Avenue

Turn right onto US 51; WI 70

1.8 mi · 4 min · Elm Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 51

71 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Oneida Street

Use the straight lane.

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

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 175 Toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

Keep slight right at fork

199 ft · 6 sec

Turn straight onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 34

Enter roundabout onto WI 34; CTH C

123 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 34

Continue on WI 34; CTH C

9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

Take the ramp onto WI 34

0.2 mi · 30 sec · WI 34

Merge onto US 10; WI 34

3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

Take the exit onto WI 34

0.3 mi · 49 sec · WI 34

Exit 204 Toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

Turn left onto WI 13; WI 34

15 mi · 22 min · Victory Road

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Enter roundabout onto WI 54; WI 73

185 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.3 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

Continue on WI 54; WI 73

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73

1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

Continue on WI 54

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

Turn left onto CTH G

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

Continue on State Highway 173

9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

At end of road, turn left onto WI 80; WI 173

410 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 80

Continue on WI 80; WI 173

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 173

Continue on WI 173

24 mi · 33 min · State Highway 173

Turn right onto WI 21

4.0 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

Continue on WI 21

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 21

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 21

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 94

2.8 mi · 2 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 51 sec

Exit 147 Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

Merge onto I 90

41 mi · 43 min · I 90

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53

0.2 mi · 37 sec · I 90; US 53

Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Turn left onto US 53; WI 35

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

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 104.7 miles from Woodruff, WI, or about 2h 14m 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 46 miles or 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 104.7 miles or 2h 14m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North 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 209.4 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 104.7 mi from Woodruff, WI · 2h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rib Mountain, WI

105 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.

Popular next leg

Rib Mountain, WI to North La Crosse, WI

140 mi · 2h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Merrill, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.7 miles from Woodruff, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Oneida Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.1 miles.

Arriving in North La Crosse, WI

The final approach into North 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 North 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

$32.74 one way

$65.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$35.94	$71.89
premium	$4.89	$40.30	$80.59
diesel	$5.61	$46.23	$92.47

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: 73.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	62.8	0	$21.99	$10.05
Efficient EV	52.4	0	$18.32	$8.38
EV Truck/SUV	83.8	1	$29.32	$13.40

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Woodruff, WI

Afternoon in Woodruff on Thursday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Sunny

SW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:12PM CDT until April 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:12PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

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

8 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 32m 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 North La Crosse, WI covers 209.4 miles and takes about 4h 32m 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 104.7 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 $32.74 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.

Between Woodruff, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Wisconsin Rapids and Albert Lea.

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