How far is Balsam Lake, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Village in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and La Crosse.
-
1
Start on Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
-
3
Continue on 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
2.9 mi · 4 min · East 130th Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto County Highway H
2.8 mi · 4 min · County Highway H
-
6
Keep slight right
112 m · 7 sec
-
7
Continue on 110th Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · 110th Street
-
8
At the end of the road, turn right onto 110th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · 110th Street
-
9
Turn left onto Baker Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Baker Avenue
-
10
Turn right onto 105th Street
1690 ft · 1 min · 105th Street
-
11
Turn left onto County Highway F
1.1 km · 1 min · County Highway F
-
12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Keller Avenue South
7.8 mi · 14 min · Keller Avenue South
-
13
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
14
Continue on State Highway 46
3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 46
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 63
44 m · 8 sec · US Highway 63
-
16
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 63
22.9 mi · 33 min · US Highway 63
-
17
Turn slight left
6.7 mi · 9 min
-
18
Turn left onto County Road DD
2 mi · 4 min · County Road DD
-
19
Turn left onto US Highway 10
1.4 mi · 2 min · US Highway 10
-
20
Turn right onto County Road D
7.1 mi · 13 min · County Road D
-
21
Turn left onto Great River Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Great River Road
-
22
Continue on State Highway 35
11.4 mi · 17 min · State Highway 35
-
23
Continue on 3rd Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 3rd Street
-
24
Continue on State Road 35
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35
-
25
Continue on State Road 25-35
3255 ft · 55 sec · State Road 25-35
-
26
Continue on North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
-
27
Continue on State Road 25
2 mi · 3 min · State Road 25
-
28
Continue on State Highway 25
2167 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 25
-
29
Continue on Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
1199 ft · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
-
30
Continue straight
1978 ft · 41 sec
-
31
At the end of the road, turn left onto 4th Grant Boulevard West
785 ft · 17 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West
-
32
Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue
-
33
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 36 min
-
34
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 6 min
-
35
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
49 m · 3 sec · US 14;US 61
-
36
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
864 ft · 12 sec · US 14;US 61
-
37
Continue straight
12.2 mi · 14 min
-
38
Continue straight
8.5 mi · 9 min
-
39
Keep slight right
2.9 mi · 4 min
-
40
Turn left onto Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
-
41
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
42
Turn slight right
555 ft · 20 sec
-
43
Merge slight left onto 3rd Street South
2167 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street South
-
44
Continue on South Avenue
799 ft · 24 sec · South Avenue
-
45
Turn left onto Adams Street
1 km · 2 min · Adams Street
-
46
Turn left onto West Avenue South
693 ft · 24 sec · West Avenue South
-
47
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake 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.
Pembroke Avenue
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Balsam Lake and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balsam Lake to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Stockholm is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Balsam Lake and 79.5 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.12 one way or $42.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Balsam Lake and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Stockholm
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 Stockholm.
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Winona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 128.76 mi (207.22 km).
#1 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| 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: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.12 | $42.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.82 | $47.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.70 | $59.40 |
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.