Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
46.8 mi
75 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Black River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 46.8 miles and takes about 1h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 108, State Highway 54, WI 16 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.5 miles on State Highway 108. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
23.4 miles from Black River Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
This is a 1h 14m highway drive covering 46.8 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 108 and State Highway 54. The longest continuous stretch is about 16.5 miles on State Highway 108.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 108 and State Highway 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 3rd Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 14m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (WI 54 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (WI 54 / South 10th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto WI 54 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto WI 54 / South 10th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto CTH F / Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 108 | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 54 | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| WI 16 | 11 mi | 17m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Washington Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Melrose Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Black River Falls, WI and La Crosse, WI.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
Turn left onto WI 54
Turn left onto WI 54
Turn right onto WI 54
Continue on WI 54
Continue on WI 54
Turn straight onto WI 108
Continue on WI 108
Continue on WI 108
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto WI 16; CTH C
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
Turn right onto CTH F
Turn left onto 16th Street South
Turn right onto Johnson Street
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
Arrive at destination
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.
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 46.8 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.4 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Black River Falls, 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 Black River Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 46.8 miles and 1h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.4 mi from Black River Falls, WI · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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.
A short stop after about 46.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Black River Falls, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$7.11 one way
$14.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.84 | $15.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $8.83 | $17.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.40 | $20.79 |
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: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Black River Falls on Saturday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
51°F
Dubuque, IA
23 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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Return Trip
La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Black River Falls, WI or browse trips ending in La Crosse, WI.
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