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Trip from Medford, 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

129.1 mi

208 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
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 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Medford, WI, WI

Medford, WI

Tom Fisk

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

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Medford, WI to La Crosse, WI is 129.1 miles and takes about 3h 27m via State Highway 73, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. You'll find the route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant detours, perfect for when you need to cover ground efficiently.

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

64.6 miles from Medford, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 73 27 mi 46m
State Highway 108 16.5 mi 24m
State Highway 54 14.2 mi 21m
WI 29 12.3 mi 14m
State Highway 13 11.8 mi 17m
WI 16 11 mi 17m
State Highway 95 8.6 mi 12m
County Highway E 7.8 mi 13m
Longest stretch: State Highway 73 — 27 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Medford, WI and La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on South 4th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · South 4th Street
2

Turn left onto East Perkins Street

0.2 mi · 47 sec · East Perkins Street
3

Turn slight right

259 ft · 9 sec
4

Turn straight onto WI 13

0.9 mi · 2 min · South 8th Street
5

Continue on WI 13

12 mi · 17 min · State Highway 13
6

Continue on WI 13

0.6 mi · 1 min · North 4th Street
7

Turn right onto WI 29 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Spruce Street
8

Continue on WI 29 Business

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Hiline Avenue
9

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls
10

Merge onto WI 29

12 mi · 14 min · WI 29
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 118 Toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville
12

Keep slight left at fork onto WI 73

11 mi · 19 min · State Highway 73
13

Continue on WI 73

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
14

Continue on WI 73

13 mi · 22 min · State Highway 73
15

Continue on WI 73

0.6 mi · 1 min · Black River Road
16

Continue on WI 73

1.1 mi · 1 min · Hewett Street
17

Turn right onto US 10; WI 73

517 ft · 22 sec · West Division Street
18

Turn left onto WI 73

3.0 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73
19

Turn straight onto WI 95

8.6 mi · 12 min · State Highway 95
20

Turn left onto CTH J

3.4 mi · 5 min · County Road J
21

Turn left onto CTH K

0.6 mi · 1 min · County Highway K
22

Turn right onto CTH E

7.8 mi · 13 min · County Highway E
23

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; WI 27

2.6 mi · 3 min · US Highway 12
24

Continue on US 12; WI 27

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Water Street
25

Turn right onto WI 54

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
26

Turn left onto WI 54

0.1 mi · 10 sec · South 10th Street
27

Turn right onto WI 54

0.8 mi · 1 min · Melrose Street
28

Continue on WI 54

14 mi · 21 min · State Highway 54
29

Continue on WI 54

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Washington Street
30

Turn straight onto WI 108

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Sparta Street
31

Continue on WI 108

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 108
32

Continue on WI 108

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 108
33

Turn slight right

212 ft · 7 sec
34

Turn straight onto WI 16; CTH C

11 mi · 17 min · WI 16; CTH C
35

Continue on Losey Boulevard North

0.5 mi · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
36

Turn right onto CTH F

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
37

Turn left onto 16th Street South

0.8 mi · 2 min · 16th Street South
38

Turn right onto Johnson Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Johnson Street
39

At end of road, turn right onto WI 35

326 ft · 11 sec · West Avenue South
40

Arrive at destination

WI 35

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3h 27m duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, perhaps in the morning to allow for an afternoon arrival. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $20, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing on the longest stretch of 27 miles on State Highway 73, as services can sometimes be spaced out on state highways. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you can focus on enjoying the drive without feeling rushed.

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 64.6 miles from Medford, WI, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 28 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.6 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 48m

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 Medford, 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 Medford, WI

This is one driving day of about 129.1 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Medford, 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 73 for about 27 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black River Falls, WI

65 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.

Popular next leg

Black River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI

46.8 mi · 1h 14m

Pacing Suggestions

Little Black, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Black River Falls, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.6 miles from Medford, 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 129.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | East Perkins Street

Turn left onto East Perkins Street

Navigation decision point

5
14.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the ramp toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls

Navigation decision point

Toward WI 29 West: Chippewa Falls
6
27.5 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville

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

Exit 118 Toward WI 73 South, CTH T: Withee, Neilsville
4
27.8 mi into trip | ~40m in | WI 73 / State Highway 73

Keep slight left at fork onto WI 73 / State Highway 73

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
129.1 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

$20.18 one way

$40.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.16 $44.32
premium $4.89 $24.84 $49.69
diesel $5.61 $28.50 $57.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 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 38.7 0 $13.56 $6.20
Efficient EV 32.3 0 $11.30 $5.16
EV Truck/SUV 51.6 0 $18.07 $8.26

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 18, 2026

Origin

Medford, WI

Night in Medford on Saturday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers

W 14 to 20 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:43AM CDT until April 20 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:40AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Destination

La Crosse, WI

Night in La Crosse on Saturday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

26 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 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 route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey utilizing main roads like State Highway 73, State Highway 108, and State Highway 54. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 27 miles on State Highway 73, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. Expect a driving experience that balances efficiency with the character of Wisconsin's state highways, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. The road generally maintains a steady flow, allowing you to cover the 129.1 miles with relative ease.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 mi on State Highway 73.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 73 and State Highway 108. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near East Perkins Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

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 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Perkins Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Medford, WI and La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Cth T: Withee and Neilsville.

Cth T: Withee

27.5 mi in | ~39m

Neilsville

27.5 mi in | ~39m

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: 129.1 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 (81%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 27 miles on State Highway 73. 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: at 0.3 miles (East Perkins Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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