How far is North La Crosse, WI from River Falls, WI?
The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to River Falls, WI is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 37m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Fog
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and River Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and River Falls.
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1
Start on Rose Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
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2
Turn left
8.4 mi · 9 min
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3
Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona
1.5 mi · 2 min
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4
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
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5
Continue straight
13.2 mi · 15 min
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6
Continue straight
1131 ft · 16 sec
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
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8
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
2.6 mi · 4 min · US 14;US 61
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9
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
2426 ft · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
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11
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
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12
Continue on 2nd Street
1020 ft · 18 sec · 2nd Street
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13
Continue on Route 61
9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61
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14
Continue on South Lakeshore Drive
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Lakeshore Drive
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15
Continue on Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
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16
Turn left onto Route 63
12.1 mi · 18 min · Route 63
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17
Continue on West Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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18
Turn left onto North Maple Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street
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19
Continue on State Highway 65
9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65
44 m · 8 sec · State Highway 65
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21
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
624 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 65
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22
Continue on State Highway 29/35/65
2802 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 29/35/65
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23
Turn left onto East Cascade Avenue
1051 ft · 27 sec · East Cascade Avenue
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24
Turn slight right onto East Cascade Avenue
2791 ft · 1 min · East Cascade Avenue
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South 6th Street
15 m · 3 sec · South 6th Street
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26
Exit the roundabout onto South 6th Street
1393 ft · 60 sec · South 6th Street
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27
Turn left onto East Maple Street
902 ft · 33 sec · East Maple Street
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28
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
819 ft · 33 sec · North 3rd Street
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29
Turn left onto East Cedar Street
614 ft · 28 sec · East Cedar Street
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30
Turn left
21 m · 5 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and River Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Widespread Fog leaving North 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 North La Crosse to River Falls?
The road trip is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from North La Crosse and 58.7 miles from River Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 1:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.61 one way or $31.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Fog around North La Crosse and Partly Cloudy near River Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Nelson.
Red Wing station
Winona station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and River Falls. Straight-line distance: 97.65 mi (157.16 km).
#1 North La Crosse
A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 50,470 |
| Coordinates | 43.8463500, -91.2481900 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
#2 River Falls
City in Pierce and St.
| Population | 3,442 |
| Coordinates | 44.8613600, -92.6238100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Falls (-92.62381, 44.86136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 189 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.61 | $35.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.27 | $38.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.96 | $43.92 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.