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Trip from La Crosse, WI to Bridgeport, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

63.9 mi

103 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m

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

Downtown Bridgeport, WI, WI

Bridgeport, WI

Alec Adriano

Trip Overview

This 63.9-mile drive from La Crosse to Bridgeport, Wisconsin, is a manageable 1 hour and 34 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily following the Great River Road and State Highway 35, with a segment on Mormon Coulee Road, this route is best suited for a single day of exploration. The estimated fuel cost is around $10, reflecting its relatively short distance. Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience as you navigate through the Midwest region. With no recommended stops, you have the flexibility to decide your own pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

31.9 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

This road trip offers a turn-heavy local drive, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 19% of the journey involves highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time on more intimate local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.9 miles along the Great River Road. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience with frequent turns and changes in scenery as you traverse Wisconsin.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Great River Road is the longest continuous segment at about 42.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 14; US 61; WI 35 / South Avenue.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Bridgeport, WI is easy. At 1h 34m with 19% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (US 14; US 61; WI 35 / South Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (US 14; US 61; WI 35 / Mormon Coulee Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.4 miles (WI 35 / Great River Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 14; US 61; WI 35 / South Avenue

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61; WI 35 / South Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
1.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 14; US 61; WI 35 / Mormon Coulee Road

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61; WI 35 / Mormon Coulee Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
4.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | WI 35 / Great River Road

Enter roundabout onto WI 35 / Great River Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road

Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
58.2 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | WI 35 / South Marquette Road

Enter roundabout onto WI 35 / South Marquette Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Great River Road 42.9 mi 59m
State Highway 35 11.9 mi 16m
Mormon Coulee Road 2.6 mi 5m
South Marquette Road 1.9 mi 4m
North Marquette Road 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
South Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Great River Road — 42.9 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on WI 35

40 ft · 9 sec · West Avenue South
2

Continue on WI 35

0.7 mi · 2 min · West Avenue South
3

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61; WI 35

224 ft · 6 sec · South Avenue
4

Continue on US 14; US 61; WI 35

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Avenue
5

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61; WI 35

128 ft · 3 sec · South Avenue
6

Continue on US 14; US 61; WI 35

0.2 mi · 26 sec · South Avenue
7

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61; WI 35

133 ft · 3 sec · Mormon Coulee Road
8

Continue on US 14; US 61; WI 35

2.6 mi · 5 min · Mormon Coulee Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Enter roundabout onto WI 35

84 ft · 1 sec · Great River Road
10

Continue on WI 35

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Great River Road
11

Enter roundabout onto WI 35

125 ft · 2 sec · Great River Road
12

Continue on WI 35

5.6 mi · 7 min · Great River Road
13

Continue on WI 35

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
14

Continue on WI 35

3.4 mi · 4 min · Great River Road
15

Continue on WI 35

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 35
16

Continue on WI 35

14 mi · 19 min · Great River Road
17

Continue on WI 35

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
18

Continue on WI 35

2.6 mi · 3 min · Great River Road
19

Continue on WI 35

5.1 mi · 6 min · State Highway 35
20

Continue on WI 35

13 mi · 17 min · Great River Road
21

Continue on WI 35

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 35
22

Continue on WI 35

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Marquette Road
23

Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 27

134 ft · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
24

Continue on WI 35; WI 27

460 ft · 11 sec · South Marquette Road
25

Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 27

142 ft · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
26

Continue on WI 35; WI 27

343 ft · 8 sec · South Marquette Road
27

Enter roundabout onto WI 35

120 ft · 2 sec · South Marquette Road
28

Continue on WI 35

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Marquette Road
29

Continue on US 18; WI 35; WI 60

3.7 mi · 5 min · Great River Road
30

Turn slight left

0.2 mi · 34 sec
31

Turn left onto WI 60

226 ft · 3 sec · State Highway 60
32

Arrive at destination

WI 60

Trip Plan

Given its short duration and distance, this 63.9-mile trip from La Crosse to Bridgeport offers plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your drive. Since there are no designated stops, plan your own breaks as needed, especially since the longest stretch without a town is 42.9 miles. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, you won't need to worry much about refueling, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your tank. Pay attention to the frequent turns characteristic of this route, especially on State Highway 35 and Mormon Coulee Road.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.9 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 14 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 31.9 miles or 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 1h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgeport, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from La Crosse, WI

This is one driving day of about 63.9 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Great River Road for about 42.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 31.9 mi from La Crosse, WI · 47m into the drive

Downtown Mount Sterling, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Sterling, WI

32 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.

Popular next leg

Mount Sterling, WI to Bridgeport, WI

29.5 mi · 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Shelby, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Sterling, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 31.9 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bridgeport, WI

The final approach into Bridgeport, 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

$9.99 one way

$19.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $10.97 $21.94
premium $4.89 $12.30 $24.59
diesel $5.61 $14.11 $28.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.2 0 $6.71 $3.07
Efficient EV 16 0 $5.59 $2.56
EV Truck/SUV 25.6 0 $8.95 $4.09

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (68% 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

Night in La Crosse on Wednesday

Local time

10:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bridgeport, WI

Night in Bridgeport on Wednesday

Local time

10:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

31°F

Mount Sterling, WI

32 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

33 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 34m 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 Bridgeport, WI covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Great River Road, State Highway 35, Mormon Coulee Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.9 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 $9.99 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 La Crosse, WI to Bridgeport, WI is easy. At 1h 34m with 19% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (US 14; US 61; WI 35 / South Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (US 14; US 61; WI 35 / Mormon Coulee Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.4 miles (WI 35 / Great River Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from La Crosse, WI to Bridgeport, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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