Origin
Ladysmith, WI
Night in Ladysmith on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ladysmith, WI to La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
137 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ladysmith, WI
Tom Fisk
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ladysmith to La Crosse covers 137 miles of Wisconsin landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this is a relatively quick trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel to complete the journey, which keeps this an affordable trip across the Midwest. Since the entire route stays within Wisconsin, the transition between these two points feels like a cohesive regional drive. It is a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight split, giving you plenty of flexibility to enjoy your destination upon arrival.
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
68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 27 | 55.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| US Highway 53 | 34.9 mi | 49m |
| US 53 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| Ekern Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| County Highway R | 6.8 mi | 11m |
| WI 16 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 10th Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West 9th Street South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 27
— 55.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladysmith, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on this road
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Worden Avenue West
443 ft
·
34 sec
·
Worden Avenue West
3
At end of road, turn left onto Miner Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Miner Avenue West
4
Turn left onto WI 27
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West 9th Street South
5
Continue on WI 27
21 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 27
6
Continue on WI 27; WI 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
7
Turn left onto WI 27
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
South 3rd Street
8
Continue on WI 27
35 mi
·
51 min
·
State Highway 27
9
Turn right onto US 12; CTH G
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincoln Street
10
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 12; WI 27
11
Turn left onto CTH R
6.8 mi
·
11 min
·
County Highway R
12
Continue on CTH R
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
County Road R
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 10
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 10
14
Continue on US 10
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
10th Street
15
Turn left onto US 53
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Street
16
Continue on US 53
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 53
17
Continue on US 53
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Ekern Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ervin Street
19
Continue on US 53
24 mi
·
35 min
·
US Highway 53
20
Turn left onto US 53; WI 93; WI 54
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 53; WI 93; WI 54
21
Turn straight onto WI 157
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 157
22
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
23
Turn straight onto WI 16
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
WI 16
24
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
25
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
27
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
29
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 27-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the drive. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the 55.1-mile stretch on State Highway 27, where consistent speeds can lead to driver fatigue. I recommend checking your fuel levels before leaving Ladysmith, as maintaining a steady pace will help you stay within your estimated $21 fuel budget. Since the duration is manageable for a single day, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Keeping your itinerary flexible allows you to adjust your pace based on real-time road conditions.
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 68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 46m 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 50m
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 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 137 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 27 for about 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Ladysmith, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 137 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Worden Avenue West
Turn left onto Worden Avenue West
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Miner Avenue West
At end of road, turn left onto Miner Avenue West
Navigation decision point
4
23 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
WI 27 / South 3rd Street
Turn left onto WI 27 / South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
87.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
US 53 / Ervin Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 53 / Ervin Street
Navigation decision point
5
137 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
WI 35 / West Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35 / West Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.42 one way
$42.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.52 | $47.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.36 | $52.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $11.99 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.18 | $8.77 |
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.
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Night in La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
S 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
42°F
Hale, WI
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
9 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on State Highway 27 and US Highway 53, with 82% of the journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.1 miles on State Highway 27. The road is built for efficiency, prioritizing direct movement between the two cities rather than winding, technical detours. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel, as the route balances faster highway segments with the necessary transition to local roads. It is an ideal path for those who prefer predictable roads over complex navigation.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.1 mi on State Highway 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 27 and US Highway 53. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Worden Avenue West.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Worden Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Miner Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles (WI 27 / South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,143 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
252 ft
Total Descent
727 ft
Highest Point
1,143 ft
Elevation Range
474 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →La Crosse is a city in the Coulee Region of Southwest Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. It is the county seat of La Crosse County. It's nestled between the river and picturesque bluffs that rise behind it. With a city population of around 50,000 and the metropolitan area just under 100,000, La Crosse offers visitors plenty of activities to do and sights to see, without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 137 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 (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.1 miles on State Highway 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Worden Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Miner Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles (WI 27 / South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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