How far is La Crosse, WI from Ladysmith, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Ladysmith, WI is about 136.8 miles (220.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
136.84 mi
03h 26m
Flight
115 mi
185.08 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115 mi
Kilometers
185.08 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.84 mi
Kilometers
220.22 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ladysmith
Thu, Apr 23, 3:49 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 7:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T00:22
Arrive Ladysmith
Thu, Apr 23, 3:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:06 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Osseo
WI

City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
68.4 mi
01h 43m
To Ladysmith
68.4 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Ladysmith.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Ladysmith.

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn right

    107 m · 12 sec

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North

    2555 ft · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Turn slight left

    698 ft · 15 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    12.7 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    5.7 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    954 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto South Main Street

    24.2 mi · 35 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Ervin Street

    2743 ft · 1 min · Ervin Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Main Street

    7.7 mi · 12 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on US Highway 53

    10.5 mi · 14 min · US Highway 53

  14. 14

    Continue on Harmony Street

    2754 ft · 1 min · Harmony Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · 10th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on US Highway 10

    1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 10

  17. 17

    Turn left onto County Road R

    2667 ft · 53 sec · County Road R

  18. 18

    Continue on County Highway R

    6.8 mi · 12 min · County Highway R

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto State Highway 27

    34.6 mi · 51 min · State Highway 27

  21. 21

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    2958 ft · 50 sec · South 3rd Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Bridge Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Bridge Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 27

    20.6 mi · 31 min · State Highway 27

  24. 24

    Continue on West 9th Street South

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West 9th Street South

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Miner Avenue West

    1663 ft · 1 min · Miner Avenue West

  26. 26

    Turn right

    135 m · 33 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Ladysmith.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
28 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 27
55.2 mi · 40%
South Main Street
24.2 mi · 18%
US Highway 53
10.5 mi · 8%
Losey Boulevard North
9.68 mi · 7%
Main Street
8.58 mi · 6%
County Highway R
6.76 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 27

Turn left onto State Highway 27

34.6 mi · 00h 51m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.8 mi
115 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Osseo
01h 43m from La Crosse
Leave By
10:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ladysmith.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Ladysmith?

The road trip is about 136.8 miles (220.2 km) and usually takes 03h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Osseo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.4 miles from La Crosse and 68.4 miles from Ladysmith.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 115 miles (185.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.21 one way or $36.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ladysmith.

Stop Ideas Near Osseo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Osseo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Osseo.

BUS

Eau Claire, WI

33 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Chippewa Falls, WI

38 mi away
2750 120th Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

42 mi away
6251 Traux Lane
BUS

Stanley, WI

48 mi away
604 South Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Ladysmith. Straight-line distance: 115 mi (185.08 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Ladysmith

#2 Ladysmith

City in and county seat of Rusk County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,054
Coordinates45.4630200, -91.1040400
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Ladysmith (-91.10404, 45.46302)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 220 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.83 gal
18.28 L · about $18.21
Round trip
$36.43
9.66 gal · 36.56 L
Estimated CO2
42.9 kg one way
Round trip: 85.8 kg / 189 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.21 $36.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.54 $41.08
Premium $4.65 $22.48 $44.96
Diesel $5.30 $25.62 $51.24

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Wisconsin · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Ladysmith. The current time is 00:22:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.