Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
156.4 mi
252 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Balsam Lake, WI
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI covers 156.4 miles and takes about 3h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 63, Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway, US 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.6 miles on US Highway 63. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.45 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
78.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI covers 156.4 miles and takes about 3h 44m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 90.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.4 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 1.6 miles (I 90): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles (US 14; US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.6 miles (US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto I 90
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61 toward US 14, US 61: Winona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61 / US 14;US 61
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto WI 46 / State Highway 46 toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound, Amery
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto WI 46 / 140th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North La Crosse, WI and Balsam Lake, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin 46 Northbound and Amery.
Wisconsin 46 Northbound
Amery
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 63 | 29.6 mi | 42m |
| Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| US 14 | 24.6 mi | 30m |
| State Highway 35 | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 46 | 11.1 mi | 19m |
| I 90 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| County Road D | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Great River Road | 6.7 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Balsam Lake, WI.
Start on US 53; CTH B
Turn left onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61
Continue on US 14; US 61
Continue on US 14; US 61
Continue on US 14; US 61
Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61
Continue on US 14; US 61
Continue on US 14; US 61
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
Continue on US 61
Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue South
Turn left onto MN 60
Turn slight right onto MN 60
Continue on WI 25
Continue on WI 25
Continue on WI 25
Continue on WI 25; WI 35
Continue on WI 25; WI 35
Continue on WI 35
Continue on WI 35
Continue on WI 35
Continue on WI 35
Turn right onto CTH D
Turn left onto US 10
Turn right onto CTH DD
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
Enter roundabout onto WI 46
Continue on WI 46
Continue on WI 46
Continue on WI 46
Turn left onto CTH F
Turn right onto 105th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Baker Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto 110th Street
Continue on 110th Street
Turn straight onto CTH H
At end of road, turn left onto US 8; WI 46
Turn right onto WI 46
Continue on WI 46
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balsam Lake, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North 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 North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 156.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.2 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Balsam Lake, 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 Balsam Lake, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.45 one way
$48.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.85 | $53.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.10 | $60.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.53 | $69.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.51 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.90 | $10.01 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in North La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Balsam Lake on Wednesday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
46°F
Lima, WI
78 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Balsam Lake, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for North La Crosse, WI or Balsam Lake, WI on MapSof.net.
