Origin
Black River Falls, WI
Evening in Black River Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Black River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI
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
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Black River Falls, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Black River Falls to La Crosse, you are in for a quick 46.8-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 14 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via State Highway 108, State Highway 54, and WI 16 to complete the connection. With a fuel cost estimate of just $7, this is a very budget-friendly transit between these two Wisconsin cities. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the route is straightforward and efficient. It is a manageable drive that allows you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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 .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You should anticipate a steady pace as you transition between the state highways that make up the bulk of the transit. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 16.5-mile segment on State Highway 108. Because this route relies heavily on major state roads, the driving experience remains consistent rather than technical or winding. You will find that the road maintains a predictable rhythm, allowing you to settle into a comfortable flow for the duration of the 46.8-mile trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 108 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 3rd Street
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 54 / Main Street
Turn left onto WI 54 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WI 54 / South 10th Street
Turn left onto WI 54 / South 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
45 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
CTH F / Main Street
Turn right onto CTH F / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
46.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 108
— 16.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Black River Falls, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on this road
201 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
154 ft
·
12 sec
·
South 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto WI 54
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto WI 54
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South 10th Street
5
Turn right onto WI 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Melrose Street
6
Continue on WI 54
14 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 54
7
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Street
8
Turn straight onto WI 108
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sparta Street
9
Continue on WI 108
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 108
10
Continue on WI 108
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 108
11
Turn slight right
212 ft
·
7 sec
12
Turn straight onto WI 16; CTH C
11 mi
·
17 min
·
WI 16; CTH C
13
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
14
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
16
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
18
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 14-minute duration, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility for your departure time. Since the trip is relatively brief and requires no scheduled stops, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, as filling up in Black River Falls or La Crosse will be your main logistics consideration. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for transitions between the state highways, as you will be switching from State Highway 108 to State Highway 54 and WI 16 along the way. Staying attentive to these road changes will ensure a smooth arrival at your 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.
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 23.4 miles from Black River Falls, WI, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.5 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 46.8 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.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Black River Falls, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 108 for about 16.5 miles.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Black River Falls, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.11 one way
$14.22 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
4 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
1h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Black River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 46.8 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 108, State Highway 54, WI 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.4 miles from Black River Falls, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.11 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 1h 14m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Black River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
46.7 mi
1h 14m
Continue From La Crosse, WI
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