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Trip from La Crosse, WI to North Hudson, WI

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

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

131.8 mi

212 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 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 53m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown North Hudson, WI, WI

North Hudson, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from La Crosse, WI to North Hudson, WI covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, Route 61/Route 63 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.8 miles on US 14. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.61 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

65.9 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 131.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 59m highway drive covering 131.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 14 and Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.8 miles on US 14.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 14 and Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway. You will hit about 12 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 131.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 11.4 miles (US 14; US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 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

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

8
129.6 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Take the exit toward WI 35 North, I 94 Alternate: Hudson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1 Toward WI 35 North, I 94 Alternate: Hudson
5
131.8 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | St Croix St North

Turn right onto St Croix St North

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 14 31.8 mi 39m
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway 28.2 mi 33m
Route 61/Route 63 14.8 mi 19m
State Highway 35/65 12.4 mi 15m
Route 63 12.1 mi 17m
Route 61 9.5 mi 13m
State Highway 65 9.3 mi 12m
South Lakeshore Drive 2.8 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 14 — 31.8 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and North Hudson, 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

28 mi · 33 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 61

0.2 mi · 17 sec · 2nd Street
17

Continue on US 61

9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61
18

Continue on US 61

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Lakeshore Drive
19

Continue on US 61; US 63

15 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
20

Turn left onto US 63

12 mi · 17 min · Route 63
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on US 10; US 63

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
22

Turn left onto WI 65

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street
23

Continue on WI 65

9.1 mi · 12 min · State Highway 65
24

Enter roundabout onto WI 29; WI 35; WI 65

144 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 65
25

Continue on WI 29; WI 35; WI 65

0.1 mi · 9 sec · State Highway 65
26

Continue on WI 29; WI 35; WI 65

0.5 mi · 48 sec · State Highway 29/35/65
27

Continue on WI 35; WI 65

12 mi · 15 min · State Highway 35/65
Use the left / straight lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 1 Toward WI 35 North, I 94 Alternate: Hudson Use the slight right lane.
29

Continue on WI 35

1.7 mi · 4 min · Second Street South
Use the straight lane.
30

Continue on WI 35

0.3 mi · 56 sec · Sixth Street North
31

Turn right onto St Croix St North

55 ft · 2 sec · St Croix St North
32

Arrive at destination

St Croix St North

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 24m 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 29 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Hudson, 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 131.8 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 65.9 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wabasha, MN

66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wabasha, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in North Hudson, WI

The final approach into North Hudson, 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 North Hudson, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sapporo Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hudson, Wisconsin

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 131.8

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+17153812999

Visit website

Sapporo Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 131.8

Hudson, Wisconsin

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+17153812999

Visit website

Junior's Restaurant & Tap House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 122.4

River Falls, Wisconsin

Hours: 2 pm–12 am

+17154256630

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.61 one way

$41.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.62 $45.25
premium $4.89 $25.36 $50.73
diesel $5.61 $29.10 $58.20

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: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.5 0 $13.84 $6.33
Efficient EV 33 0 $11.53 $5.27
EV Truck/SUV 52.7 0 $18.45 $8.44

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Morning in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

6:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Clear

S 2 to 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:37PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

North Hudson, WI

Morning in North Hudson on Saturday

Local time

6:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°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

9 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

2h 59m 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 La Crosse, WI to North Hudson, WI covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, Route 61/Route 63. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.9 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 $20.61 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.

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 131.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 11.4 miles (US 14; US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

The route from La Crosse, WI to North Hudson, 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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