Origin
Ettrick, WI
Evening in Ettrick on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ettrick, WI to La Crosse, WI
Drive Time
50m
Distance
32.9 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ettrick, WI
Anete Lusina
La Crosse, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick jaunt through the Wisconsin Midwest, the 32.9-mile journey from Ettrick to La Crosse is a straightforward transition. You can expect to spend about 50 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $5, the drive is highly economical for those looking to reach their destination without significant expense. Since the entire route is contained within the state, you won't need to worry about adjusting for regional travel differences. It is an ideal option if you prioritize efficiency and simplicity over a multi-day itinerary.
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
16.4 miles from Ettrick, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your travel spent on major routes like US 53 and WI 16. You will find yourself cruising along a significant 17.8-mile stretch on US 53, which defines the bulk of the experience. The road character remains consistent throughout the drive, offering a predictable ride rather than technical twists or turns. Expect a steady, uninterrupted flow that allows you to maintain a reliable pace from start to finish. Because you are primarily on highway infrastructure, the drive feels functional and direct, getting you where you need to go with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and US Highway 53. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Bridge Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 50m 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 (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 53 / US Highway 53): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles (CTH F / Main 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.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Bridge Street
Turn left onto Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 53 / US Highway 53
Turn left onto US 53 / US Highway 53
Navigation decision point
4
31 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
CTH F / Main Street
Turn right onto CTH F / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
32.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
Johnson Street
Turn right onto Johnson Street
Navigation decision point
5
32.8 mi into trip
|
~49m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 53 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 53 | 8.3 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 16th Street South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| WI 157 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Johnson Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 53
— 17.8 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
15 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto Bridge Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bridge Street
3
Continue on Caroline Street
481 ft
·
13 sec
·
Caroline Street
4
Turn left onto US 53
8.3 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 53
5
Turn left onto US 53; WI 93; WI 54
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 53; WI 93; WI 54
6
Turn straight onto WI 157
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 157
7
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
8
Turn straight onto WI 16
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
WI 16
9
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
10
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
11
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
12
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
14
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to stress about long-haul logistics or overnight accommodations, as the 50-minute duration is easy to manage in one go. Keep in mind that because the route is entirely highway-reliant, traffic patterns on US 53 will dictate your actual arrival time more than anything else. Aim to head out during off-peak hours to ensure you maintain that efficient 50-minute pace. A smart move is to fill your tank before leaving Ettrick, as the $5 fuel estimate assumes consistent driving conditions without frequent idling.
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 16.4 miles from Ettrick, WI, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.8 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 32.9 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.4 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
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 Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, WI
This is one driving day of about 32.9 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ettrick, 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 US 53 for about 17.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.4 mi from Ettrick, WI · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.4 miles from Ettrick, 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
$5.00 one way
$9.99 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.51 | $11.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.21 | $12.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.45 | $1.58 |
| Efficient EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.88 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
6:39 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
1 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
50m 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 Ettrick, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 32.9 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 53, US Highway 53, 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 16.4 miles from Ettrick, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.00 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 50m 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 (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 53 / US Highway 53): Navigation decision point; at 31 miles (CTH F / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ettrick, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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