How far is River Falls, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from River Falls, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 117 miles (188.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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.
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 12m.
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.
City in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Areas Of Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between River Falls and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Falls and La Crosse.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Cedar Street
614 ft · 23 sec · East Cedar Street
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3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
819 ft · 33 sec · North 3rd Street
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4
Turn left onto East Maple Street
902 ft · 31 sec · East Maple Street
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5
Turn right onto North 6th Street
1394 ft · 59 sec · North 6th Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Cascade Avenue
59 m · 11 sec · East Cascade Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto East Cascade Avenue
2900 ft · 1 min · East Cascade Avenue
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8
Turn left onto East Cascade Avenue
621 ft · 15 sec · East Cascade Avenue
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9
Take the ramp slight right
117 m · 9 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto State Highway 29/35/65
2716 ft · 44 sec · State Highway 29/35/65
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11
Continue on State Highway 65
601 ft · 9 sec · State Highway 65
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65
41 m · 8 sec · State Highway 65
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13
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65
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14
Continue on North Maple Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street
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15
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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16
Turn left
12.1 mi · 18 min
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17
Turn right onto Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
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18
Continue on North Lakeshore Drive
2.8 mi · 6 min · North Lakeshore Drive
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19
Continue on Route 61
9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61
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20
Continue on 2nd Street
1020 ft · 18 sec · 2nd Street
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21
Continue on Route 61
36.6 mi · 45 min · Route 61
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
49 m · 3 sec · US 14;US 61
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23
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
864 ft · 12 sec · US 14;US 61
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24
Continue straight
12.2 mi · 14 min
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25
Continue straight
8.5 mi · 9 min
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26
Keep slight right
2.9 mi · 4 min
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27
Turn left onto Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
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28
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
29
Turn slight right
555 ft · 20 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto 3rd Street South
2167 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street South
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31
Continue on South Avenue
799 ft · 24 sec · South Avenue
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32
Turn left onto Adams Street
1 km · 2 min · Adams Street
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33
Turn left onto West Avenue South
693 ft · 24 sec · West Avenue South
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between River Falls and La Crosse.
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.
Route 61
Continue on Route 61
36.6 mi · 00h 45m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving River Falls and Areas Of Fog near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from River Falls to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 117 miles (188.3 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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 59.4 miles from River Falls and 57.6 miles from La Crosse.
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 16.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.57 one way or $31.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around River Falls and Areas Of Fog near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Alma
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 Alma.
Winona station
Red Wing station
Eau Claire, WI
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between River Falls and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 100.22 mi (161.29 km).
#1 River Falls
City in Pierce and St.
| Population | 3,442 |
| Coordinates | 44.8613600, -92.6238100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Crosse
The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 51,163 |
| Coordinates | 43.8013600, -91.2395800 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 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 | $15.57 | $31.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.56 | $35.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.22 | $38.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.91 | $43.81 |
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.