How far is North La Crosse, WI from Ludington, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Ludington, WI is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.2 miles (109.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 12m 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
86.05 mi
02h 06m
Flight
68.16 mi
109.7 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.16 mi
Kilometers
109.7 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.05 mi
Kilometers
138.48 km
Drive Time
02h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ludington
Tue, May 26, 5:11 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Tue, May 26, 7:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-05-26T03:05
Arrive Ludington
Tue, May 26, 5:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North 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
Whitehall
WI

City in and county seat of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

From North La Crosse
43 mi
01h 03m
To Ludington
43.1 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph SW
Destination
91°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Ludington.

  1. 1

    Start on Rose Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  2. 2

    Take the exit slight right

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 53 North, WI 157: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1196 ft · 29 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    17.9 mi · 23 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    954 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto South Main Street

    24.2 mi · 35 min · South Main Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Ervin Street

    2743 ft · 1 min · Ervin Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Main Street

    7.7 mi · 12 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on US Highway 53

    10.5 mi · 14 min · US Highway 53

  10. 10

    Continue on Harmony Street

    2754 ft · 1 min · Harmony Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · 10th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 10

    1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 10

  13. 13

    Turn left onto County Road R

    2667 ft · 53 sec · County Road R

  14. 14

    Continue on County Highway R

    6.8 mi · 12 min · County Highway R

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto State Highway 27

    10.7 mi · 16 min · State Highway 27

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Highway 27

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
0 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Main Street
24.2 mi · 28%
US 53 North
18.3 mi · 21%
State Highway 27
10.7 mi · 12%
US Highway 53
10.5 mi · 12%
Main Street
7.66 mi · 9%
County Highway R
6.76 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

South Main Street

Turn straight onto South Main Street

24.2 mi · 00h 35m

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 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.9 mi
68.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whitehall
01h 03m from North La Crosse
Leave By
2:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Sunny near Ludington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Ludington?

The road trip is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?

Whitehall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43 miles from North La Crosse and 43.1 miles from Ludington.

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

The direct path is about 68.2 miles (109.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 2:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.46 one way or $22.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around North La Crosse and Sunny near Ludington.

Stop Ideas Near Whitehall

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

44 mi away
65 East Mark Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

50 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

57 mi away
6251 Traux Lane
BUS

Chippewa Falls, WI

58 mi away
2750 120th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Ludington. Straight-line distance: 68.16 mi (109.7 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ludington

Human settlement in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States of America

Population1,084
Coordinates44.8291300, -91.1273700
Altitude332
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Ludington (-91.12737, 44.82913)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 138 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.04 gal
11.49 L · about $11.46
Round trip
$22.93
6.08 gal · 22.98 L
Estimated CO2
27 kg one way
Round trip: 54 kg / 119 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.46 $22.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.93 $25.86
Premium $4.65 $14.15 $28.30
Diesel $5.30 $16.12 $32.25

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 · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between North La Crosse and Ludington. The current time is 03:05:12.

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.