Origin
Ladysmith, WI
Morning in Ladysmith on Monday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
137 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
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
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ladysmith to La Crosse covers 137 miles of Wisconsin landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this is a relatively quick trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel to complete the journey, which keeps this an affordable trip across the Midwest. Since the entire route stays within Wisconsin, the transition between these two points feels like a cohesive regional drive. It is a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight split, giving you plenty of flexibility to enjoy your destination upon arrival.
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
68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on State Highway 27 and US Highway 53, with 82% of the journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.1 miles on State Highway 27. The road is built for efficiency, prioritizing direct movement between the two cities rather than winding, technical detours. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel, as the route balances faster highway segments with the necessary transition to local roads. It is an ideal path for those who prefer predictable roads over complex navigation.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Worden Avenue West 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 Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 27m 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 Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Worden Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Miner Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 9th Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 27 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bridge Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Lincoln Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Highway R | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Worden Avenue West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladysmith, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on the route
36 ft
·
8 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Worden Avenue West
443 ft
·
34 sec
·
Worden Avenue West
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Miner Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Miner Avenue West
4
Turn left onto West 9th Street South
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West 9th Street South
5
Continue on State Highway 27
21 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 27
6
Continue on Bridge Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
7
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
South 3rd Street
8
Continue on State Highway 27
35 mi
·
51 min
·
State Highway 27
9
Turn right onto West Lincoln Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincoln Street
10
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
11
Turn left onto County Highway R
6.8 mi
·
11 min
·
County Highway R
12
Continue on County Road R
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
County Road R
13
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 10
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 10
14
Continue on 10th Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
10th Street
15
Turn left onto Harmony Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Street
16
Continue on US Highway 53
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 53
17
Continue on Ekern Street
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Ekern Street
18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ervin Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ervin Street
19
Continue on US Highway 53
24 mi
·
35 min
·
US Highway 53
20
Turn left
18 mi
·
22 min
21
Turn straight
0.6 mi
·
1 min
22
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
23
Turn straight
3.4 mi
·
5 min
24
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
25
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
27
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
28
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
325 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 27-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the drive. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the 55.1-mile stretch on State Highway 27, where consistent speeds can lead to driver fatigue. I recommend checking your fuel levels before leaving Ladysmith, as maintaining a steady pace will help you stay within your estimated $21 fuel budget. Since the duration is manageable for a single day, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Keeping your itinerary flexible allows you to adjust your pace based on real-time road conditions.
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 68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI, or about 1h 43m 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 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 43m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, WI
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ladysmith, 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 68.5 mi from Ladysmith, WI · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
The final approach into La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, 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
$20.81 one way
$41.62 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.94 | $45.88 |
| premium | $4.80 | $25.86 | $51.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.44 | $60.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $11.99 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.18 | $8.77 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Monday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
2 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
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 Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 137 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 Worden Avenue West, Miner Avenue West, West 9th Street South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.81 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 Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 27m 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 Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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