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Trip from New Richmond, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

137.8 mi

222 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

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

city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin

New Richmond, WI

Wikimedia Commons

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

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from New Richmond, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Route 61, State Highway 65, US 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.1 miles on Route 61. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.72 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

68.9 miles from New Richmond, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 137.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 6m highway drive covering 137.8 miles, with most of the trip on Route 61 and State Highway 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.1 miles on Route 61.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 61 and State Highway 65. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 65 / South Knowles Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 137.8 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (WI 65 / South Knowles Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.4 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | WI 65 / South Knowles Avenue

Turn left onto WI 65 / South Knowles Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
12.3 mi into trip | ~19m in | WI 65 / State Highway 65

Enter roundabout onto WI 65 / State Highway 65 toward River Falls

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward River Falls
6
12.4 mi into trip | ~19m in | WI 65 / State Highway 65

Enter roundabout onto WI 65 / State Highway 65 toward River Falls

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward River Falls
5
20.1 mi into trip | ~30m in | WI 65

Turn left onto WI 65

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
23 mi into trip | ~34m in | WI 65 / State Highway 65

Enter roundabout onto WI 65 / State Highway 65

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 New Richmond, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward River Falls along the way.

River Falls

12.3 mi in | ~19m | via WI 65

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Route 61 46.1 mi 58m
State Highway 65 26.9 mi 38m
US 14 20.9 mi 23m
Route 61/Route 63 14.8 mi 19m
US 63 12.1 mi 18m
I 90 3.9 mi 4m
WI 65 3.4 mi 4m
North Lakeshore Drive 2.8 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Route 61 — 46.1 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on CTH K

259 ft · 12 sec · East 1st Street
2

Turn left onto WI 65

1.3 mi · 3 min · South Knowles Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on WI 65

1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
4

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

127 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 65
5

Continue on WI 65

5.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 65
6

Turn slight right onto WI 65

1.1 mi · 1 min · WI 65
Use the straight / left lanes.
7

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

231 ft · 13 sec · State Highway 65
8

Continue on WI 65

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Highway 65
9

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

110 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 65
10

Continue on WI 65

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 65
11

Continue on WI 65

0.1 mi · 15 sec · State Highway 65
12

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

94 ft · 5 sec · State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
13

Continue on WI 65

0.1 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
14

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

108 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
15

Continue on WI 65

7.6 mi · 10 min · State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
16

Turn left onto WI 65

2.3 mi · 3 min · WI 65
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on WI 29; WI 35; WI 65

0.5 mi · 46 sec · State Highway 29/35/65
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Continue on WI 29; WI 35; WI 65

0.1 mi · 9 sec · State Highway 65
19

Enter roundabout onto WI 65

134 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 65
20

Continue on WI 65

9.1 mi · 12 min · State Highway 65
21

Continue on WI 65

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street
22

Turn right onto US 10; US 63

1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
23

Turn left onto US 63

12 mi · 18 min · US 63
Use the straight lane.
24

Turn right onto US 61; US 63

15 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
Use the right lane.
25

Continue on US 61; US 63

2.8 mi · 5 min · North Lakeshore Drive
26

Continue on US 61

9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61
27

Continue on US 61

0.2 mi · 17 sec · 2nd Street
28

Continue on US 61

37 mi · 45 min · Route 61
Use the straight lane.
29

Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61

162 ft · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
30

Continue on US 14; US 61

0.2 mi · 11 sec · US 14;US 61
31

Continue on US 14; US 61

12 mi · 14 min · US 14; US 61
Use the straight lane.
32

Continue on US 14; US 61

8.5 mi · 9 min · US 14; US 61
33

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 90
34

Take the exit onto I 90

0.1 mi · 15 sec · I 90
Exit 3
35

Turn right onto US 53; WI 35

1.3 mi · 2 min · Rose Street
36

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

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 68.9 miles from New Richmond, WI, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.1 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 30 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.9 miles or 1h 41m 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 36m

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 New Richmond, 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 New Richmond, WI

This is one driving day of about 137.8 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from New Richmond, 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 Route 61 for about 46.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.9 mi from New Richmond, WI · 1h 41m into the drive

Downtown Millville, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Millville, MN

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

Ellsworth, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wabasha, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from New Richmond, 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

$18.72 one way

$37.43 round trip

$3.45/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.85 $20.89 $41.77
premium $4.15 $22.51 $45.03
diesel $3.75 $20.34 $40.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.3 0 $14.47 $6.61
Efficient EV 34.5 0 $12.06 $5.51
EV Truck/SUV 55.1 0 $19.29 $8.82

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Richmond, WI

Late night in New Richmond on Saturday

Local time

5:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Late night in North La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

5:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Millville, MN

69 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

22 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 6m 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 New Richmond, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 137.8 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Route 61, State Highway 65, US 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 68.9 miles from New Richmond, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.72 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 137.8 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (WI 65 / South Knowles Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.4 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

On the drive from New Richmond, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward River Falls along the way.

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. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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