How far is La Crosse, WI from River Falls, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to River Falls, WI is about 118.7 miles (191 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
118.66 mi
02h 42m
Flight
100.22 mi
161.29 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
100.22 mi
Kilometers
161.29 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
118.66 mi
Kilometers
190.97 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 02h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in River Falls
Wed, Apr 15, 7:56 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Wed, Apr 15, 10:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-15T17:13
Arrive River Falls
Wed, Apr 15, 7:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Alma
WI

City in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
59.3 mi
01h 21m
To River Falls
59.4 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Areas Of Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 mph NW
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and River Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Jackson Street

    3236 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 4th Street South

    2639 ft · 1 min · 4th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Cass Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

  6. 6

    Turn right

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    13.2 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1131 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61

    44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

    2.6 mi · 4 min · US 14;US 61

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    5.3 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail

    2426 ft · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail

  15. 15

    Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

    28.2 mi · 33 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1020 ft · 18 sec · 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Route 61

    9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61

  18. 18

    Continue on South Lakeshore Drive

    2.8 mi · 6 min · South Lakeshore Drive

  19. 19

    Continue on Route 61/Route 63

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Route 63

    12.1 mi · 18 min · Route 63

  21. 21

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North Maple Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 65

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65

    44 m · 8 sec · State Highway 65

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65

    624 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 65

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 29/35/65

    2802 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 29/35/65

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East Cascade Avenue

    1051 ft · 27 sec · East Cascade Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn slight right onto East Cascade Avenue

    2791 ft · 1 min · East Cascade Avenue

  29. 29

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South 6th Street

    15 m · 3 sec · South 6th Street

  30. 30

    Exit the roundabout onto South 6th Street

    1393 ft · 60 sec · South 6th Street

  31. 31

    Turn left onto East Maple Street

    902 ft · 33 sec · East Maple Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    819 ft · 33 sec · North 3rd Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto East Cedar Street

    614 ft · 28 sec · East Cedar Street

  34. 34

    Turn left

    21 m · 5 sec

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
35 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran
28.2 mi · 24%
US 14
20.6 mi · 17%
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 12%
Route 63
12.1 mi · 10%
Route 61
9.52 mi · 8%
State Highway 65
9.25 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran

Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

28.2 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
100.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Alma
01h 21m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog leaving La Crosse and Partly Cloudy near River Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to River Falls?

The road trip is about 118.7 miles (191 km) and usually takes 02h 42m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Alma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.3 miles from La Crosse and 59.4 miles from River Falls.

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

The direct path is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.80 one way or $31.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around La Crosse and Partly Cloudy near River Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Alma

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Alma, 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 Alma.

RAIL

Winona station

38 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

57 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

62 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Menomonie, WI

62 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and River Falls. Straight-line distance: 100.22 mi (161.29 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
River Falls

#2 River Falls

City in Pierce and St.

Population3,442
Coordinates44.8613600, -92.6238100
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: River Falls (-92.62381, 44.86136)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 191 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.19 gal
15.85 L · about $15.80
Round trip
$31.60
8.38 gal · 31.7 L
Estimated CO2
37.2 kg one way
Round trip: 74.5 kg / 164 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.80 $31.60
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.82 $35.64
Premium $4.65 $19.50 $39.00
Diesel $5.30 $22.22 $44.45

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and River Falls. The current time is 17:13:30.

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.