How far is Athens, WI from North La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Athens, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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 21m.
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 Jackson County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and North La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and North La Crosse.
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1
Start on Alfred Street
12 m · 7 sec · Alfred Street
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2
Turn left onto Mueller Street
1299 ft · 31 sec · Mueller Street
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3
Turn left onto Pine Street
3230 ft · 1 min · Pine Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 97
24.4 mi · 41 min · State Highway 97
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5
Continue on North Central Avenue
5.1 mi · 9 min · North Central Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Central Avenue
33 m · 2 sec · South Central Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
627 ft · 14 sec · South Central Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 10
41 m · 8 sec · US Highway 10
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9
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 10
1.8 mi · 2 min · US Highway 10
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 10
744 ft · 12 sec · US Highway 10
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11
Merge slight left onto US Highway 10
20.9 mi · 29 min · US Highway 10
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12
Continue on East Division Street
2 mi · 4 min · East Division Street
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 73
3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73
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14
Turn straight onto State Highway 95
8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 95
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15
Turn left onto County Road J
3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road J
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16
Turn left onto County Highway K
2911 ft · 1 min · County Highway K
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17
Turn right onto County Highway E
7.8 mi · 14 min · County Highway E
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 12
2.6 mi · 4 min · US Highway 12
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19
Continue on North Water Street
1.1 km · 2 min · North Water Street
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20
Turn left onto East Main Street
1138 ft · 42 sec · East Main Street
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21
Turn right onto South Roosevelt Road
1003 ft · 32 sec · South Roosevelt Road
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22
Continue on Gebhardt Road
1806 ft · 51 sec · Gebhardt Road
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23
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 27
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24
Continue on Black River Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Black River Street
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Black River Street
26 m · 1 sec · South Black River Street
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26
Exit the roundabout onto South Black River Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Black River Street
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27
Take the ramp right
1379 ft · 34 sec
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28
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 23 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
1291 ft · 37 sec
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30
Turn left onto Rose Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and North 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.
State Highway 27
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Athens and Mostly Sunny near North La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to North La Crosse?
The road trip is about 129.7 miles (208.8 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Merrillan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from Athens and 63.3 miles from North La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.3 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 1:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.27 one way or $34.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Athens and Mostly Sunny near North La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Merrillan
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 Merrillan.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 100.38 mi (161.55 km).
#1 Athens
Village in Marathon County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,079 |
| Coordinates | 45.0330200, -90.0740200 |
| Altitude | 427 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North La Crosse
A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 50,470 |
| Coordinates | 43.8463500, -91.2481900 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.48 | $38.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.32 | $42.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.29 | $48.58 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.