Bluff Country Panoramic Road Itinerary
Take a journey through the stunning landscapes of Bluff Country on the Panoramic Road. Starting in La Crosse, this road trip is approximately 166 km long and takes approximately one day to complete. It is best to drive this route in the spring or summer months, when the weather is perfect for sightseeing. Along the way, you will be able to explore places like Lanesboro, the gateway to the Bluff Country. Here, you will find plenty of outdoor activities to take part in, such as fishing, cycling, and canoeing. You can also take in the majestic views of the river valley as you drive through this picturesque area. The road is well-maintained and suitable for every driver, so you can make the most of your trip without worrying about road conditions. This road trip is also very budget-friendly, so you can enjoy the beauty of Bluff Country without breaking the bank.
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number of days
166 km
route length
fair
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
low
accident level
START
La Crosse
Distance 154 km
Driving time 2.4 h
Pace: fast
46.1 kWh
Airports
LSE
,
MSP
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La Crosse, Wisconsin, is the perfect starting point for a road trip along the “Bluff Country Panoramic Road”. Located in the upper Midwest of the United States, La Crosse is a city known for its laid-back atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. Situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, La Crosse offers visitors a unique blend of outdoor recreation and vibrant downtown culture.
For those traveling by air, La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE) is the closest international airport. Major car rental companies are available at the airport for those who prefer to explore the area by car.
Once you have arrived, there are plenty of sights to explore in La Crosse. Make sure to visit Grandad Bluff, a 600-foot-tall bluff overlooking the city. The bluff provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Mississippi River. For those looking for a bit of history, the La Crosse Queen Riverboat is a great place to start. The boat offers guided tours of the city, highlighting its rich history and culture.
La Crosse’s bustling downtown area is also home to a variety of restaurants and shops. While exploring downtown, make sure to check out the historic Pump House Regional Arts Center. This unique art center houses a range of art galleries and performance spaces.
Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors or experience La Crosse’s vibrant downtown culture, there’s something for everyone in this charming Wisconsin city. Make La Crosse your starting point for a road trip along the “Bluff Country Panoramic Road” and explore all that this city has to offer.
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La Crosse
- Lanesboro
Distance 82 km
Driving time 1.3 h
Pace: fast
24.7 kWh
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Itinerary
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Welcome road-trippers! We invite you to join us on the scenic road trip from La Crosse to Lanesboro, a drive of just 51 miles that will take less than two hours.
On the way, be sure to stop at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, where you can learn about bald eagles and other raptors. Another interesting stop is the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, where you can explore the museum's collection of 19th and 20th century marine art.
Further down the road, you can take a break in the charming town of Rushford, where you can explore the Rushford Heritage Trail and visit the Rushford Historical Museum.
Finally, you'll arrive in Lanesboro, where you can explore the Root River State Trail, the Commonweal Theatre, and the Lanesboro Arts Center.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. So what are you waiting for? Let's hit the road!
Lanesboro - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
Lanesboro - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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2
Lanesboro
- Preston
- Dexter
Distance 71 km
Driving time 1.1 h
Pace: fast
21.3 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for the most interesting road trip stage of your life? Start in Lanesboro, a small town nestled in the Root River Valley. Here you can visit the Lanesboro Dam, the Root River State Trail, and the Lanesboro Arts Center. Then, take a drive to Preston, a small city located on the Root River. Here you can visit the Root River Trail, the Preston Trout Hatchery, and the Preston Swimming Pool. After that, you'll be heading to your final destination - Dexter. This small town is home to the Root River Trail and the Dexter Park.
This road trip stage is 44 miles long and takes less than 1 hour to complete. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of the Root River Valley and the surrounding area. You can also take a break at any of the attractions mentioned above.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Have a great trip!
Dexter - United States - North America - Scenic Drive - Wikimedia Commons
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Dexter
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Tucked away in the north-east corner of Iowa, the town of Dexter is the perfect destination to end the journey along Bluff Country Panoramic Road. This small but vibrant town is known for its beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and a variety of things to see and do.
For those who love the great outdoors, there’s plenty of activities to choose from. Spend a day fishing in the nearby streams, take a hike through the nearby woods, or explore the nearby parks and trails. Dexter is also known for its many wineries, offering delicious tastings of local wines and ciders.
If you’re looking for some culture, Dexter is home to a variety of museums, galleries, and historic sites. Take a tour of the historic sites, visit the galleries to view the local art, or learn about the town’s history at the local museum.
For those arriving by car, the closest international airport is Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO), located approximately an hour away. From there, it’s a short drive to Dexter, where you’ll find plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
So, when it comes to the perfect ending to Bluff Country Panoramic Road, look no further than Dexter. With its stunning scenery, friendly locals, and plenty of things to do, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Bluff Country Panoramic Road at a glance
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Start:
La Crosse
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End:
Dexter
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Distance:
166 km
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Stay:
1 day
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Getting there:
La Crosse Municipal Airport (LSE),
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP)
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When to drive:
May, June, July, August, September, October
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Hopefully, our road trip idea has become a great inspiration for your future holidays.
It is a ready-made opportunity that can be effortlessly expanded into a complete road trip – there are no limits.
If travelling by car is your plan when exploring highlights around Minnesota, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a list of elements to bear in mind to make your road adventure safe.
These tips will surely become useful for holidaymakers who are considering hiring a car or renting a camper.
When sightseeing around Minnesota, you should kept in mind the local traffic rules.
Alcohol is best to be avoided at any expense when Minnesota is your road trip destination.
Holidaymakers should remember that the permitted consumption limit is rather low and equals only 0.5‰.
When travelling around build-up areas, the maximum permissible speed is 40km/h.
Around rural areas, drivers can travel at at speeds up to 72km/h.
You can travel at the maximum car speed of 129km/h on motorways.
It is best to equip your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit and drive with your headlights on at daytime to increase your safety.
One of the decisive factors when scheduling an itinerary is costs.
Depending on the budget option that interests you, the amount of money that you have to spend on your travel expenses will vary.
Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
The cost of gasoline for the budget option to cover the planned 3 stages while travelling around Minnesota can cost approximately 25 EUR.
You will have to spend approximately 77 EUR on economy accommodation options.
When it comes to the travel expenses connected with restaurants and food in this offer, the average costs are 72 EUR.
Travellers will have to pay approximately 45 EUR if they opt for the cheapest hire car option as well.
Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the costs of the road trip from more or less 174 EUR to around 219 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 25 EUR on the gasoline needed to cover the tour.
If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses may amount up to approximately 121 EUR.
Drivers may expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost around 108 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard hire car can expect a cost of approximately 54 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay around 308 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle hire will spend approximately 254 EUR.
Travellers who are into the highest level of comfort will be pleased with the premium option.
When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 470 EUR for holidayers who are considering car hire and 254 EUR for those who do not need a rental car.
Travellers who would like to cover the road trip in a premium rental car can expect a cost of approximately 90 EUR.
In the top standard option of the trip, you will pay around 38 EUR for gasoline.
Holidaymakers who opt for top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay around 198 EUR for overnight stays and around 144 EUR for food and restaurants.
Our tour will also measure up to the expectations of all camper lovers.
When it comes to this travel means, it costs more or less 225 EUR.
Holidayers will spend more or less 50 EUR on fuel allowing to cover all stages of the road trip.
Expenses connected with food will be pay around 72 EUR, whereas those connected with accommodation should cost more or less 55 EUR.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the above expenses in detail.
There are countless thrilling road trips that we offer on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip options.
The great variety of trips will surely meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers.