Origin
La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Medford, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
129 mi
208 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Medford, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Medford, WI covers 129 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 73, State Highway 108, State Highway 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.9 miles on State Highway 73. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.17 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
64.5 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 73 | 26.9 mi | 46m |
| State Highway 108 | 16.6 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 54 | 14.2 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 29 | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 13 | 11.8 mi | 17m |
| WI 16 | 11 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 95 | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| County Highway E | 7.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 73
— 26.9 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Medford, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
11 mi
·
17 min
·
WI 16
6
Turn left onto WI 108; CTH C
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 108
7
Continue on WI 108
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 108
8
Continue on WI 108
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Sparta Street
9
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Street
10
Continue on WI 54
14 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 54
11
Continue on WI 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Melrose Street
12
Continue on WI 54
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
South 10th Street
13
Turn right onto Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto US 12; WI 27
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Water Street
15
Continue on US 12; WI 27
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 12
16
Turn right onto CTH E
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
County Highway E
17
Turn left onto CTH K
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway K
18
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
19
Turn right onto WI 95
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 95
20
Continue on WI 73; WI 95
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 73
21
Turn right onto US 10; WI 73
517 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Division Street
22
Turn left onto WI 73; US 10 Bus
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hewett Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Black River Road
24
Continue on WI 73
13 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 73
25
Continue on WI 73
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
26
Continue on WI 73
11 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 73
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
28
Merge onto WI 29
12 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 29
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
30
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hiline Avenue
31
Continue on WI 29 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Spruce Street
32
Turn left onto WI 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 13
34
Continue on WI 13
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South 8th Street
35
Turn left onto South Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
36
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
South 4th Street
37
Arrive at destination
South 4th 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 64.5 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.9 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 28 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.5 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medford, 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 129 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 State Highway 73 for about 26.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.5 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 115.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
4
46.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
58.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
CTH J / County Road J
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J / County Road J
Navigation decision point
6
113.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Av...
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
|
WI 13 / North 4th Street
Turn left onto WI 13 / North 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.17 one way
$40.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.14 | $44.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.82 | $49.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 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 | 38.7 | 0 | $13.54 | $6.19 |
| Efficient EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.29 | $5.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.06 | $8.26 |
Gas CO2
45 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.
Destination
Medford, WI
Afternoon in Medford on Saturday
Local time
1:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
W 14 to 20 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:43AM CDT until April 20 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:40AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
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 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 3h 27m highway drive covering 129 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 73 and State Highway 108. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.9 miles on State Highway 73.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 73 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 73 and State Highway 108. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 46.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 58.4 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 129 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Medford, WI covers 129 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 73, State Highway 108, State Highway 54. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.5 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 $20.17 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 is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 46.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 58.4 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point.
The route from La Crosse, WI to Medford, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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