Trip from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI

Drive Time

3h 49m

Distance

162.6 mi

262 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 37m ★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
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.

Downtown La Crosse, WI, WI

La Crosse, WI

Tom Fisk

Downtown Saint Croix Falls, WI, WI

Saint Croix Falls, WI

Bill Fuesz

Trip Overview

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 Jackson Street, 4th Street South, Cass Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.70 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 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 49m drive with frequent turns across 162.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jackson Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

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.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI is easy. At 3h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jackson Street Unavailable Refreshing
4th Street South Unavailable Refreshing
Cass Street Unavailable Refreshing
Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway Unavailable Refreshing
US 14 Unavailable Refreshing
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail Unavailable Refreshing
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway Unavailable Refreshing
2nd Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Jackson Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Saint Croix Falls, WI.

1

Start on West Avenue South

39 ft · 9 sec · West Avenue South
2

Turn left onto Jackson Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Jackson Street
3

Turn right onto 4th Street South

0.5 mi · 1 min · 4th Street South
4

Turn left onto Cass Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street
5

Continue on Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

1.7 mi · 2 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
6

Turn right

7.2 mi · 8 min
7

Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 14, US 61: Winona
8

Continue straight

1.7 mi · 1 min
9

Continue straight

13 mi · 15 min
10

Continue straight

0.2 mi · 16 sec
11

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61

144 ft · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
12

Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

2.6 mi · 3 min · US 14;US 61
13

Continue straight

5.3 mi · 7 min
14

Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
15

Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

28 mi · 33 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
16

Continue on 2nd Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · 2nd Street
17

Continue on Route 61

9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61
18

Continue on South Lakeshore Drive

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Lakeshore Drive
19

Continue on Route 61/Route 63

15 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
20

Turn left onto Route 63

12 mi · 17 min · Route 63
21

Continue on West Main Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
22

Turn left onto North Maple Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street
23

Continue on State Highway 65

9.1 mi · 12 min · State Highway 65
24

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65

144 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 65
25

Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65

0.1 mi · 10 sec · State Highway 65
26

Continue on State Highway 29/35/65

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

Continue on State Highway 35/65

9.3 mi · 11 min · State Highway 35/65
28

Take the exit slight right toward I-94 East, US 12 East: Eau Claire

0.4 mi · 46 sec · I-94 East, US 12 East: Eau Claire
29

Merge slight left

0.2 mi · 13 sec
30

Take the exit slight right toward US 12, CTH U: Somerset

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 12, CTH U: Somerset
31

Turn straight onto US Highway 12

2.1 mi · 3 min · US Highway 12
32

Continue on CTH A

0.8 mi · 1 min · CTH A
33

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

138 ft · 3 sec · the route
34

Exit the roundabout

2.1 mi · 4 min
35

Turn left onto County Road I

7.1 mi · 11 min · County Road I
36

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road I

62 ft · 2 sec · County Road I
37

Exit the roundabout onto County Road I

0.7 mi · 1 min · County Road I
38

Turn right onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
39

Turn left onto Church Hill Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Church Hill Road
40

Continue on State Highway 35

12 mi · 16 min · State Highway 35
41

Continue on South Cascade Street

2.1 mi · 4 min · South Cascade Street
42

Continue on State Highway 35

6.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 35
43

Continue on South Vincent Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Vincent Street
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

289 ft · 13 sec · East Kentucky Street
47

Arrive at your destination

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 54m into the drive.

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 80 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.3 miles or 1h 54m 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 8m

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 80 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.

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 54m into the drive

Downtown Saint Paul, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint Paul, MN

81 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

Saint Paul, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Paul, MN

Meal break

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.70 one way

$49.39 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $27.23 $54.45
premium $4.80 $30.70 $61.39
diesel $5.64 $36.12 $72.25

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, 2026-04-06.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Late night in La Crosse on Monday

Local time

4:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Croix Falls, WI

Late night in Saint Croix Falls on Monday

Local time

4:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°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

4 degrees warmer 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 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 Jackson Street, 4th Street South, Cass Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 $24.70 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.
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI is easy. At 3h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from La Crosse, WI to Saint Croix Falls, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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