Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Thursday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
157.9 mi
254 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Balsam Lake, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI covers 157.9 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, US Highway 63, Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway 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 $24.69 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
78.9 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 157.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI covers 157.9 miles and takes about 3h 49m, 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 21 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
6/10
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 157.9 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: 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 21 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
|
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
6
131.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
WI 46 / State Highway 46
Enter roundabout onto WI 46 / State Highway 46 toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound, Amery
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound, Amery
5
153.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
|
WI 46 / 140th Street
Turn right onto WI 46 / 140th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right 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 Balsam Lake, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound and Amery.
Wisconsin 46 Northbound
131.4 mi in
|
~3h 3m
|
via WI 46
Amery
131.4 mi in
|
~3h 3m
|
via WI 46
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 14 | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| US Highway 63 | 29.6 mi | 42m |
| Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 35 | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 46 | 11.1 mi | 19m |
| County Road D | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Great River Road | 6.7 mi | 10m |
| 140th Street | 3.5 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 Balsam Lake, 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
30 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 63
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 46
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 46
Toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound, Amery
33
Continue on WI 46
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 46
Toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound, Amery
34
Continue on WI 46
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
35
Continue on WI 46
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 46
36
Turn left onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway F
37
Turn right onto 105th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
105th Street
38
At end of road, turn left onto Baker Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Baker Avenue
39
At end of road, turn right onto 110th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
110th Street
40
Continue on 110th Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
110th Street
41
Turn straight onto CTH H
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway H
42
At end of road, turn left onto US 8; WI 46
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 130th Avenue
43
Turn right onto WI 46
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
140th Street
Use the right lane.
44
Continue on WI 46
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Main Street
45
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
406 ft
·
17 sec
·
Courthouse Avenue
46
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Avenue
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 78.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 44m 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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balsam Lake, 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 157.9 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 78.9 mi from La Crosse, WI · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Balsam Lake, WI
The final approach into Balsam Lake, 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 Balsam Lake, 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
$24.69 one way
$49.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.10 | $54.21 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.39 | $60.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.86 | $69.72 |
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: 55.2 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 | 47.4 | 0 | $16.58 | $7.58 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.11 | $10.11 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Balsam Lake, WI
Afternoon in Balsam Lake on Thursday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Lima, WI
79 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
26 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
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 Balsam Lake, WI covers 157.9 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, US Highway 63, Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.9 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 $24.69 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 157.9 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: 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.
Between La Crosse, WI and Balsam Lake, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound and Amery.
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