The drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 49m 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 highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.8 miles on US 14.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.42 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
81.3 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 162.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 49m highway drive covering 162.6 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 47 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft667 ft
Total Climb
492 ft
Total Descent
230 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~104.5 mi in
Elevation Range
350 ft
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 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.4 miles in near US 14; US 61.
Driving Effort5/10
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 162.6 miles you will encounter 21 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: 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; at 126.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I-94 East, US 12 East: Eau Claire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-94 East, US 12 East: Eau Claire
8
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12, CTH U: Somerset
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 4
Toward US 12, CTH U: Somerset
6
132.3 mi into trip|~3h in|CTH I / County Road I
Turn left onto CTH I / County Road I
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Croix Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth U: Somerset and Cth A.
Cth U: Somerset
127.1 mi in|~2h 50m|via US 12
Cth A
129.4 mi in|~2h 54m|via CTH A
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 14
31.8 mi
39m
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
28.2 mi
33m
State Highway 35
18.7 mi
26m
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi
19m
Route 63
12.1 mi
17m
Route 61
9.5 mi
13m
State Highway 35/65
9.3 mi
11m
State Highway 65
9.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 14
— 31.8 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Saint Croix Falls, 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
9.3 mi·11 min·State Highway 35/65
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I-94 East, US 12 East: Eau Claire
29
Merge onto I 94; US 12
0.2 mi·12 sec·I 94; US 12
30
Take the exit onto US 12
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 12
Exit 4Toward US 12, CTH U: SomersetUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto US 12; CTH U
2.1 mi·3 min·US Highway 12
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on CTH A
0.8 mi·1 min·CTH A
Toward CTH AUse the straight lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto CTH A
136 ft·2 sec·CTH A
34
Continue on CTH A
2.1 mi·4 min·CTH A
35
Turn left onto CTH I
7.1 mi·11 min·County Road I
Use the straight lane.
36
Enter roundabout onto County Road I
64 ft·1 sec·County Road I
37
Continue on County Road I
0.7 mi·1 min·County Road I
38
Turn right onto WI 64 BUS; CTH VV
0.2 mi·40 sec·Main Street
39
Turn left onto WI 35
0.8 mi·1 min·Church Hill Road
40
Continue on WI 35
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 35
41
Continue on WI 35
2.1 mi·4 min·South Cascade Street
42
Continue on WI 35
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 35
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on South Vincent Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Vincent Street
Use the straight lane.
44
Continue on East State Street
453 ft·18 sec·East State Street
45
Turn right onto South Roosevelt Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South Roosevelt Street
46
Turn right onto East Kentucky Street
288 ft·12 sec·East Kentucky Street
47
Arrive at destination
East Kentucky Street
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 81.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 47m 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 36 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Croix Falls, 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 162.6 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 81.3 mi from La Crosse, WI
· 1h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint Croix Falls, WI
The final approach into Saint Croix Falls, 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 Saint Croix Falls, 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
Junior's Restaurant & Tap House
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
River Falls, Wisconsin
Later in the drive, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 116.2
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.42 one way
$50.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.91
$55.82
premium
$4.89
$31.29
$62.58
diesel
$5.61
$35.90
$71.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.7
0
$14.23
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.76
$10.41
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 13, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning
in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 13 at 2:57AM CDT until April 14 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 13 at 2:23AM CDT until April 14 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Saint Croix Falls, WI
Morning
in Saint Croix Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Ellsworth, WI
81 mi in
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
15 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 49m 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 Saint Croix Falls, WI covers 162.6 miles and takes about 3h 49m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 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 $25.42 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 162.6 miles you will encounter 21 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: 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; at 126.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Croix Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth U: Somerset and Cth A.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 667 ft to 1,016 ft elevation with about 492 ft of total climbing.
