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Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 6m

Distance

44.1 mi

71 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 1m ★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m

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

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

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States

Black River Falls, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI covers 44.1 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Highway 108, State Highway 54, WI 16 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.6 miles on State Highway 108. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.89 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 44.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 6m highway drive covering 44.1 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 108 and State Highway 54. The longest continuous stretch is about 16.6 miles on State Highway 108.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 108 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 108 and State Highway 54. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 53.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI is easy. At 1h 6m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

3
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 53

Take the exit onto US 53

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
3.8 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
4
43.6 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
44 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | South 3rd Street

Turn right onto South 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

5
44.1 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

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

Onalaska

3.8 mi in | ~5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 108 16.6 mi 24m
State Highway 54 14.2 mi 21m
WI 16 6.4 mi 9m
US 53 2.6 mi 3m
Rose Street 1.2 mi 2m
North Washington Street 0.9 mi 1m
Melrose Street 0.8 mi 1m
Main Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: State Highway 108 — 16.6 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Black River Falls, WI.

1

Start on US 53; CTH B

1.2 mi · 2 min · Rose Street
2

Take the exit onto US 53

2.6 mi · 3 min · US 53
3

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Exit 5 Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
4

Turn left onto WI 16

6.4 mi · 9 min · WI 16
5

Turn left onto WI 108; CTH C

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 108
6

Continue on WI 108

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 108
7

Continue on WI 108

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Sparta Street
8

Continue on WI 54

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Washington Street
9

Continue on WI 54

14 mi · 21 min · State Highway 54
10

Continue on WI 54

0.8 mi · 1 min · Melrose Street
11

Continue on WI 54

0.1 mi · 12 sec · South 10th Street
12

Turn right onto Main Street

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Main Street
13

Turn right onto South 3rd Street

154 ft · 8 sec · South 3rd Street
14

Turn right

201 ft · 14 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22 mi from North La Crosse, WI · 33m into the drive

village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Salem, WI

22 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

West Salem, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Salem, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Black River Falls, WI

The final approach into Black River Falls, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.89 one way

$13.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $7.57 $15.14
premium $4.89 $8.49 $16.97
diesel $5.61 $9.74 $19.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.2 0 $4.63 $2.12
Efficient EV 11 0 $3.86 $1.76
EV Truck/SUV 17.6 0 $6.17 $2.82

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 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 16, 2026

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Evening in North La Crosse on Thursday

Local time

8:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Sunny

SW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Black River Falls, WI

Evening in Black River Falls on Thursday

Local time

8:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1h 6m 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 North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI covers 44.1 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 108, State Highway 54, WI 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22 miles from North La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI is easy. At 1h 6m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from North La Crosse, WI to Black River Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Onalaska along the way.

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