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Trip from Little Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

142.9 mi

230 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m

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

Downtown Little Falls, WI, WI

Little Falls, WI

Chris F

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Little Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 142.9 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 US 61, US 14, US Highway 63 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.2 miles on US 61. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.34 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

71.4 miles from Little Falls, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 142.9 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 (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 27m highway drive covering 142.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 61 and US 14. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.2 miles on US 61.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and US 14. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CTH CC / 115th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.9 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CTH CC / 115th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (WI 46): Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles (US 63 / US Highway 63): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

4
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | CTH CC / 115th Street

Turn right onto CTH CC / 115th Street

Navigation decision point

5
3.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | WI 46

At end of road, turn right onto WI 46

Navigation decision point

7
10.9 mi into trip | ~22m in | US 63 / US Highway 63

Enter roundabout onto US 63 / US Highway 63 toward US 63 Southbound, Baldwin

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 63 Southbound, Baldwin
5
79.6 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | MN 60 / 4th Grant Boulevard West

At end of road, turn left onto MN 60 / 4th Grant Boulevard West

Navigation decision point

5
114.6 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Little Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baldwin along the way.

Baldwin

10.9 mi in | ~22m | via US 63

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 61 30.2 mi 36m
US 14 28.8 mi 36m
US Highway 63 23 mi 33m
State Highway 35 11.4 mi 16m
WI 46 7.5 mi 13m
County Road D 7.1 mi 12m
US 63 6.7 mi 9m
Great River Road 6.7 mi 10m
Longest stretch: US 61 — 30.2 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CTH PP

291 ft · 12 sec · County Highway P
2

Turn left onto CTH C

0.7 mi · 1 min · 45th Avenue
3

Continue on CTH C

0.2 mi · 28 sec · County Highway C
4

Turn right onto CTH CC

0.4 mi · 1 min · 115th Street
5

Keep slight left at fork onto CTH CC

0.5 mi · 1 min · 40th Avenue
6

Turn right onto CTH CC

1.5 mi · 3 min · 110th Street
7

At end of road, turn right onto WI 46

7.5 mi · 13 min · WI 46
8

Enter roundabout onto US 63

143 ft · 8 sec · US Highway 63
Toward US 63 Southbound, Baldwin
9

Continue on US 63

23 mi · 33 min · US Highway 63
Toward US 63 Southbound, Baldwin
10

Turn slight left onto US 63

6.7 mi · 9 min · US 63
11

Turn left onto CTH DD

2.0 mi · 3 min · County Road DD
12

Turn left onto US 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · US Highway 10
13

Turn right onto CTH D

7.1 mi · 12 min · County Road D
14

Turn left onto WI 35

6.7 mi · 10 min · Great River Road
15

Continue on WI 35

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 35
16

Continue on WI 35

3.2 mi · 4 min · 3rd Street
17

Continue on WI 35

2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35
18

Continue on WI 25; WI 35

0.6 mi · 54 sec · State Road 25-35
19

Continue on WI 25; WI 35

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
20

Continue on WI 25

2.0 mi · 2 min · State Road 25
21

Continue on WI 25

0.4 mi · 36 sec · State Highway 25
22

Continue on WI 25

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
23

Continue on MN 60

0.4 mi · 41 sec · MN 60
24

At end of road, turn left onto MN 60

0.1 mi · 17 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West
25

Turn right onto MN 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue
26

Continue on US 61; MN 60

30 mi · 36 min · US 61; MN 60
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on US 14; US 61

3.7 mi · 5 min · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
28

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61

162 ft · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
29

Continue on US 14; US 61

0.2 mi · 11 sec · US 14;US 61
30

Continue on US 14; US 61

12 mi · 14 min · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
31

Continue on US 14; US 61

8.5 mi · 9 min · US 14; US 61
32

Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61

2.9 mi · 4 min · US 14; US 61
33

Turn left onto US 14; US 61; MN 16

1.7 mi · 2 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
34

Continue on US 14; US 61; WI 16

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 14; US 61; WI 16
35

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 20 sec
36

Merge onto US 14; US 61

0.4 mi · 1 min · 3rd Street South
37

Continue on US 14; US 61

0.2 mi · 24 sec · South Avenue
38

Turn left onto Adams Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Adams Street
39

Turn left onto WI 35

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Avenue South
40

Arrive at destination

WI 35

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 71.4 miles from Little Falls, WI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.2 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 31 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Little Falls, 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 Little Falls, WI

This is one driving day of about 142.9 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Little Falls, 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 US 61 for about 30.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.4 mi from Little Falls, WI · 1h 53m into the drive

Downtown Lima, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lima, WI

71 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

Ellsworth, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lima, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Little Falls, 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

$22.34 one way

$44.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.53 $49.06
premium $4.89 $27.50 $55.00
diesel $5.61 $31.55 $63.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.9 0 $15.00 $6.86
Efficient EV 35.7 0 $12.50 $5.72
EV Truck/SUV 57.2 0 $20.01 $9.15

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Little Falls, WI

Afternoon in Little Falls on Thursday

Local time

12:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Afternoon in La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

12:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Patchy Fog

SE 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

46°F

Lima, WI

71 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

7 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Little Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI covers 142.9 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 US 61, US 14, US Highway 63. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.4 miles from Little Falls, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.34 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.9 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CTH CC / 115th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (WI 46): Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles (US 63 / US Highway 63): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Little Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baldwin along the way.

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