Trip from Ladysmith, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

133.4 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown North La Crosse, WI, WI

North La Crosse, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Ladysmith to North La Crosse covers 133.4 miles of Wisconsin landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 18 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well under a four-hour threshold, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $20 on fuel, making this an economical excursion through the Midwest. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, specifically State Highway 27 and US Highway 53, to keep your transit efficient. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of the path allows for a predictable and stress-free travel experience.

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

66.7 miles from Ladysmith, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your journey spent on high-speed routes that favor steady momentum. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on US Highway 53 and State Highway 27, which serve as the primary arteries for your commute. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on State Highway 27, where you will navigate 55.1 miles of road without needing to deviate. Transitioning between these main highways creates a consistent experience, though you should be prepared for the steady focus required for this length of road. It is a functional drive that balances the need for speed with the reality of navigating regional Wisconsin infrastructure.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 North La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 18m 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 North 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 North 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 · 21 min
21

Take the exit slight right

1.4 mi · 2 min
22

Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

0.2 mi · 37 sec · US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
23

Turn left onto Rose Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
24

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Planning for this 3-hour and 18-minute drive is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip on schedule. To maximize your comfort, aim to depart during off-peak hours to maintain a steady pace across the 133.4-mile distance. Since you are primarily utilizing US 53, stay alert for shifts in traffic flow as you move between highway sections. Given the $20 fuel estimate, topping off your tank in Ladysmith before you leave ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station until you reach your destination. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to choose a stop that fits your personal pace rather than adhering to a rigid itinerary.

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 66.7 miles from Ladysmith, WI, or about 1h 39m 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 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.7 miles or 1h 39m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North 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 133.4 miles and 3h 18m.

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 66.7 mi from Ladysmith, WI · 1h 39m into the drive

Downtown Dubuque, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dubuque, IA

67 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

Dubuque, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Dubuque, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from Ladysmith, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in North La Crosse, WI

The final approach into North 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 North 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

$20.26 one way

$40.52 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $22.34 $44.67
premium $4.80 $25.18 $50.37
diesel $5.64 $29.64 $59.27

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: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40 0 $14.01 $6.40
Efficient EV 33.4 0 $11.67 $5.34
EV Truck/SUV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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

Ladysmith, WI

Morning in Ladysmith on Monday

Local time

6:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Morning in North La Crosse on Monday

Local time

6:16 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 18m 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 North La Crosse, WI covers 133.4 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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 66.7 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 $20.26 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 North La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 18m 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 North La Crosse, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ladysmith, WI to North La Crosse, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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