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

The driving distance from River Falls, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 114.5 miles (184.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.7 miles (157.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m 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
114.54 mi
02h 06m
Flight
97.65 mi
157.16 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from River Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.65 mi
Kilometers
157.16 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
114.54 mi
Kilometers
184.33 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 North La Crosse
Wed, Apr 15, 5:39 PM CDT
Return by in River Falls
Wed, Apr 15, 7:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave River Falls
2026-04-15T15:32
Arrive North La Crosse
Wed, Apr 15, 5:39 PM 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
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in River Falls
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
Nelson
WI

Village in Buffalo County, Wisconsin

From River Falls
58.3 mi
01h 03m
To North La Crosse
56.2 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
55°F
Overnight

Widespread Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    21 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Cedar Street

    614 ft · 23 sec · East Cedar Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    819 ft · 33 sec · North 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Maple Street

    902 ft · 31 sec · East Maple Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North 6th Street

    1394 ft · 59 sec · North 6th Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Cascade Avenue

    59 m · 11 sec · East Cascade Avenue

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto East Cascade Avenue

    2900 ft · 1 min · East Cascade Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East Cascade Avenue

    621 ft · 15 sec · East Cascade Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right

    117 m · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 29/35/65

    2716 ft · 44 sec · State Highway 29/35/65

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 65

    601 ft · 9 sec · State Highway 65

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65

    41 m · 8 sec · State Highway 65

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65

  14. 14

    Continue on North Maple Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Maple Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn left

    12.1 mi · 18 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Route 61/Route 63

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63

  18. 18

    Continue on North Lakeshore Drive

    2.8 mi · 6 min · North Lakeshore Drive

  19. 19

    Continue on Route 61

    9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61

  20. 20

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1020 ft · 18 sec · 2nd Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Route 61

    36.6 mi · 45 min · Route 61

  22. 22

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

    49 m · 3 sec · US 14;US 61

  23. 23

    Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

    864 ft · 12 sec · US 14;US 61

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    12.2 mi · 14 min

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    8.5 mi · 9 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right

    633 ft · 15 sec

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Rose Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Route 61
46.1 mi · 40%
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 13%
US 14
12.4 mi · 11%
US 61
12.4 mi · 11%
State Highway 65
9.26 mi · 8%
North Lakeshore Drive
2.83 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.8 mi
97.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nelson
01h 03m from River Falls
Leave By
2:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving River Falls and Widespread Fog near North 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 North La Crosse?

The road trip is about 114.5 miles (184.3 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?

Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.3 miles from River Falls and 56.2 miles from North La Crosse.

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 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 2:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.23 one way or $30.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Nelson

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

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

RAIL

Red Wing station

45 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

Winona station

51 mi away
65 East Mark Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

51 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

57 mi away
6251 Traux Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between River Falls and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 97.65 mi (157.16 km).

River Falls

#1 River Falls

City in Pierce and St.

Population3,442
Coordinates44.8613600, -92.6238100
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Start: (-92.62377, 44.86135)
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 184 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.04 gal
15.3 L · about $15.23
Round trip
$30.47
8.08 gal · 30.6 L
Estimated CO2
35.9 kg one way
Round trip: 71.8 kg / 158 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.23 $30.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.18 $34.36
Premium $4.65 $18.80 $37.60
Diesel $5.30 $21.43 $42.86

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 River Falls and North La Crosse. The current time is 15:32:08.

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.