Traveling from Ladysmith to North La Crosse covers 133.4 miles of Wisconsin landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 18 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well under a four-hour threshold, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $20 on fuel, making this an economical excursion through the Midwest. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, specifically State Highway 27 and US Highway 53, to keep your transit efficient. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of the path allows for a predictable and stress-free travel experience.
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
66.7 miles from Ladysmith, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m 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
18.9 mi
23m
Ekern Street
7.7 mi
11m
County Highway R
6.8 mi
11m
10th Street
1.7 mi
3m
Rose Street
1.6 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 North 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·21 min·US 53; WI 93; WI 54
21
Take the exit onto US 53
1.4 mi·2 min·US 53
22
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·I 90; US 53
Exit 3Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
23
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3-hour and 18-minute drive is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip on schedule. To maximize your comfort, aim to depart during off-peak hours to maintain a steady pace across the 133.4-mile distance. Since you are primarily utilizing US 53, stay alert for shifts in traffic flow as you move between highway sections. Given the $20 fuel estimate, topping off your tank in Ladysmith before you leave ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station until you reach your destination. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to choose a stop that fits your personal pace rather than adhering to a rigid itinerary.
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 66.7 miles from Ladysmith, WI, or about 1h 43m 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 29 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
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 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 133.4 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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.
The midpoint is around 66.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 131.6 — 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
6
131.6 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.86 one way
$41.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.90
$45.80
premium
$4.89
$25.67
$51.34
diesel
$5.61
$29.45
$58.91
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: 46.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40
0
$14.01
$6.40
Efficient EV
33.4
0
$11.67
$5.34
EV Truck/SUV
53.4
0
$18.68
$8.54
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 17, 2026
Origin
Ladysmith, WI
Late night
in Ladysmith on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Rain Showers
SSW 15 to 20 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 10:10AM CDT until April 17 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen M...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 17 at 9:38AM CDT until April 17 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Late night
in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
S 13 to 20 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 10:10AM CDT until April 17 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen M...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 17 at 9:38AM CDT until April 17 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
42°F
Hale, WI
67 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
6 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 18m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your journey spent on high-speed routes that favor steady momentum. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on US Highway 53 and State Highway 27, which serve as the primary arteries for your commute. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on State Highway 27, where you will navigate 55.1 miles of road without needing to deviate. Transitioning between these main highways creates a consistent experience, though you should be prepared for the steady focus required for this length of road. It is a functional drive that balances the need for speed with the reality of navigating regional Wisconsin infrastructure.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 27 and US Highway 53. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Worden Avenue West.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ladysmith, WI to North La Crosse, WI is easy. At 3h 18m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 ft648 ft
Total Climb
289 ft
Total Descent
784 ft
Highest Point
1,143 ft
Elevation Range
495 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 133.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at North La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
