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Trip from La Crosse, WI to New Richmond, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

134.6 mi

217 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

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

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

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin

New Richmond, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to New Richmond, WI covers 134.6 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 14, Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway, State Highway 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.8 miles on US 14. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.04 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

67.3 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 134.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from La Crosse, WI to New Richmond, WI covers 134.6 miles and takes about 3h 12m, 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 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 33 / Jackson Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 33 / Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 14; US 61 / 4th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (US 14; US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | WI 33 / Jackson Street

Turn left onto WI 33 / Jackson Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 14; US 61 / 4th Street South

Turn right onto US 14; US 61 / 4th Street South

Navigation decision point

6
11.4 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 14; US 61

Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61 toward US 14, US 61: Winona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 14, US 61: Winona
5
28 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
131.5 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | WI 65 / State Highway 65

Enter roundabout onto WI 65 / State Highway 65

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 14 31.8 mi 39m
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway 25.3 mi 29m
State Highway 35 11.4 mi 16m
State Highway 65 7.7 mi 10m
County Road D 7.1 mi 12m
Great River Road 6.7 mi 10m
US Highway 63 6.4 mi 8m
County Highway T 4.5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: US 14 — 31.8 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and New Richmond, WI.

1

Start on WI 35

40 ft · 9 sec · West Avenue South
2

Turn left onto WI 33

0.6 mi · 1 min · Jackson Street
3

Turn right onto US 14; US 61

0.5 mi · 1 min · 4th Street South
4

Turn left onto US 14; US 61; WI 16

1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street
5

Continue on US 14; US 61; MN 16

1.7 mi · 2 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
6

Turn right onto US 14; US 61

7.2 mi · 8 min · US 14; US 61
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 14; US 61
Toward US 14, US 61: Winona
8

Continue on US 14; US 61

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 14; US 61
9

Continue on US 14; US 61

13 mi · 15 min · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 14; US 61

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61

143 ft · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
12

Continue on US 14; US 61

2.6 mi · 3 min · US 14;US 61
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 14; US 61

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
15

Continue on US 61

25 mi · 29 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue South

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue South
Toward MN 60 East: Wabasha
17

Turn left onto MN 60

0.1 mi · 10 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West
18

Turn slight right onto MN 60

0.4 mi · 39 sec · MN 60
19

Continue on WI 25

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
20

Continue on WI 25

0.4 mi · 36 sec · State Highway 25
21

Continue on WI 25

2.0 mi · 2 min · State Road 25
22

Continue on WI 25; WI 35

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
23

Continue on WI 25; WI 35

0.6 mi · 54 sec · State Road 25-35
24

Continue on WI 35

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35
25

Continue on WI 35

3.2 mi · 4 min · 3rd Street
26

Continue on WI 35

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 35
27

Continue on WI 35

6.7 mi · 10 min · Great River Road
28

Turn right onto CTH D

7.1 mi · 12 min · County Road D
29

Turn left onto US 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · US Highway 10
30

Turn right onto CTH DD

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Road DD
31

At end of road, turn right onto US 63

6.4 mi · 8 min · US Highway 63
32

Turn slight left onto CTH Y

2.9 mi · 7 min · County Road Y
33

Continue on CTH M

1.1 mi · 1 min · County Highway M
34

Turn right onto CTH T

4.5 mi · 6 min · County Highway T
35

Turn left onto County Highway Z

2.5 mi · 3 min · County Highway Z
36

Continue on CTH N

2.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway N
37

Turn right onto Kinnickinnic Road

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Kinnickinnic Road
38

Continue on 130th Street

3.1 mi · 5 min · 130th Street
39

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

127 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 65
40

Continue on WI 65

5.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 65
41

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

139 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 65
42

Continue on WI 65

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
43

Continue on WI 65

0.2 mi · 28 sec · State Highway 65
44

Continue on WI 65

1.3 mi · 3 min · South Knowles Avenue
45

Turn right onto CTH K

259 ft · 8 sec · East 1st Street
46

Arrive at destination

CTH K

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 67.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 30 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.3 miles or 1h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Richmond, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, WI

This is one driving day of about 134.6 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from La Crosse, 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 US 14 for about 31.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.3 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 27m into the drive

city in Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wabasha, MN

67 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

Winona, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lima, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in New Richmond, WI

The final approach into New Richmond, 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 New Richmond, 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

$21.04 one way

$42.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.10 $46.21
premium $4.89 $25.90 $51.81
diesel $5.61 $29.72 $59.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.4 0 $14.13 $6.46
Efficient EV 33.7 0 $11.78 $5.38
EV Truck/SUV 53.8 0 $18.84 $8.61

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Morning in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

10:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Richmond, WI

Morning in New Richmond on Saturday

Local time

10:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°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

22 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

3h 12m 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 La Crosse, WI to New Richmond, WI covers 134.6 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 14, Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway, State Highway 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 67.3 miles from La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.04 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.6 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 33 / Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 14; US 61 / 4th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (US 14; US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from La Crosse, WI to New Richmond, 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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