Origin
Independence, WI
Late night in Independence on Saturday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, 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
1h 15m
Distance
51.4 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Independence, WI to La Crosse, WI is 51.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes via State Highway 93, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive through the Midwest, specifically within Wisconsin, making it ideal for a single-day trip. You'll primarily stick to well-maintained highways, so expect a consistent pace. With a fuel cost under $10, it's an economical option for a short journey between these two Wisconsin communities. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick and efficient connection without extensive planning.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 51.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on State Highway 93, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.4 miles. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, the mix of State Highway 93 and US 53, along with WI 16, provides a varied, yet consistently flowing, driving experience. Expect smooth sailing for most of the 1 hour and 15-minute journey, making it easy to maintain a good speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 93 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 93 and US 53. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH Q / 1st Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Independence, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 1h 15m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH Q / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (WI 93; CTH Q / Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 49.6 miles (CTH F / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 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
|
CTH Q / 1st Street
Turn right onto CTH Q / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 93; CTH Q / Washington Street
Turn left onto WI 93; CTH Q / Washington Street
Navigation decision point
4
49.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
CTH F / Main Street
Turn right onto CTH F / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
Johnson Street
Turn right onto Johnson Street
Navigation decision point
5
51.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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 93 | 29.4 mi | 40m |
| US 53 | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| 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:
State Highway 93
— 29.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Railroad Street
102 ft
·
5 sec
·
Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto CTH Q
70 ft
·
8 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto WI 93; CTH Q
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Washington Street
4
Continue on WI 93
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Burrows Road
5
Continue on WI 93
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Diagonal Street
6
Continue on WI 93
21 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 93
7
Continue on WI 93; WI 54
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 93
8
Continue on US 53; WI 93
15 mi
·
18 min
·
US 53; WI 93
9
Turn straight onto WI 157
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 157
10
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
11
Turn straight onto WI 16
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
WI 16
12
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
13
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
15
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
17
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.7 mi from Independence, WI · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.7 miles from Independence, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.04 one way
$16.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.82 | $17.65 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.89 | $19.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.35 | $22.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.40 | $2.47 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.50 | $2.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Late night in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NW 10 mph
38% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:47PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:47PM CDT until April 18 at 1:30AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
67°F
Ettrick, WI
26 mi in
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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 15m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Independence, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 51.4 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 93, US 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 25.7 miles from Independence, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.04 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.
The drive from Independence, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 1h 15m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH Q / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (WI 93; CTH Q / Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 49.6 miles (CTH F / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Independence, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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