How far is Appleton, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Appleton, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 179.5 miles (288.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Civil town in Adams County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Appleton and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Appleton and La Crosse.
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1
Start on West College Avenue
21 m · 4 sec · West College Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Richmond Street
148 m · 18 sec · North Richmond Street
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3
Turn slight right onto South Memorial Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive
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4
Continue on Appleton Road
870 ft · 15 sec · Appleton Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward WIS 441 South, US 10 West
5 m · 1 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout onto WIS 441 South, US 10 West
1427 ft · 35 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-County Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Tri-County Expressway
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8
Continue on Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
1.1 km · 47 sec · Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshkosh
1.3 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
16.8 mi · 18 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward WI 44, WI 91
1444 ft · 35 sec
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12
Keep slight right
56 m · 5 sec
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13
Turn right onto Ripon Rd
1.3 km · 1 min · Ripon Rd
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14
Continue on State Highway 44
14.8 mi · 22 min · State Highway 44
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15
Continue on East Oshkosh Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East Oshkosh Street
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16
Turn right onto West Fond du Lac Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Fond du Lac Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 23 & 49
3.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 23 & 49
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18
Turn straight onto State Highway 23
9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 23
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19
Continue on South Fulton Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Fulton Street
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20
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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21
Turn left
46 m · 3 sec
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22
Continue on South 2nd Street
2515 ft · 43 sec · South 2nd Street
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23
Continue on State Highway 23
9.9 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23
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24
Continue on East Montello Street
3142 ft · 57 sec · East Montello Street
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25
Continue on West Montello Street
635 ft · 11 sec · West Montello Street
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26
Turn slight right onto Underwood Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Underwood Avenue
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27
Continue on State Highway 23
6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23
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28
Continue on State Highway 82
3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 82
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29
Continue on East Ormsby Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Ormsby Street
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30
Continue on State Highway 82
24.5 mi · 36 min · State Highway 82
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31
Keep slight right
85 m · 5 sec
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32
Take the ramp right
1756 ft · 43 sec
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33
Merge slight left
23.5 mi · 25 min
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34
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39.1 mi · 42 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
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36
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
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37
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
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38
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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39
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
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40
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
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41
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Appleton and La Crosse.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 90 West
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39.1 mi · 00h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Appleton and Sunny near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Appleton to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 179.5 miles (288.8 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Easton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Appleton and 92.3 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.87 one way or $47.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Appleton and Sunny near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Easton
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 Easton.
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Portage
Tomah
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Appleton and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 143.85 mi (231.5 km).
#1 Appleton
City in and county seat of Outagamie County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,681 |
| Coordinates | 44.2619300, -88.4153800 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| 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: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.87 | $47.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.92 | $53.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.46 | $58.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.57 | $67.15 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.