How far is Balsam Lake, WI from North La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m 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
156.65 mi
02h 57m
Flight
125.8 mi
202.46 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Balsam Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.8 mi
Kilometers
202.46 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.65 mi
Kilometers
252.1 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM CDT
Return by in Balsam Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 7:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Balsam Lake
2026-04-23T01:37
Arrive North La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Balsam Lake
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
Stockholm
WI

Village in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States

From Balsam Lake
78.1 mi
01h 28m
To North La Crosse
78.5 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and North La Crosse.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and North La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on Courthouse Avenue

    124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street

    2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 140th Street

    3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue

    2.9 mi · 4 min · East 130th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Highway H

    2.8 mi · 4 min · County Highway H

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    112 m · 7 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on 110th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 110th Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 110th Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Baker Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Baker Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 105th Street

    1690 ft · 1 min · 105th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto County Highway F

    1.1 km · 1 min · County Highway F

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Keller Avenue South

    7.8 mi · 14 min · Keller Avenue South

  13. 13

    Continue on Main Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 46

    3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 46

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 63

    44 m · 8 sec · US Highway 63

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 63

    22.9 mi · 33 min · US Highway 63

  17. 17

    Turn slight left

    6.7 mi · 9 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto County Road DD

    2 mi · 4 min · County Road DD

  19. 19

    Turn left onto US Highway 10

    1.4 mi · 2 min · US Highway 10

  20. 20

    Turn right onto County Road D

    7.1 mi · 13 min · County Road D

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Great River Road

    6.7 mi · 11 min · Great River Road

  22. 22

    Continue on State Highway 35

    11.4 mi · 17 min · State Highway 35

  23. 23

    Continue on 3rd Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · 3rd Street

  24. 24

    Continue on State Road 35

    2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35

  25. 25

    Continue on State Road 25-35

    3255 ft · 55 sec · State Road 25-35

  26. 26

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  27. 27

    Continue on State Road 25

    2 mi · 3 min · State Road 25

  28. 28

    Continue on State Highway 25

    2167 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 25

  29. 29

    Continue on Wabasha-Nelson Bridge

    1199 ft · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge

  30. 30

    Continue straight

    1978 ft · 41 sec

  31. 31

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 4th Grant Boulevard West

    785 ft · 17 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue

  33. 33

    Continue straight

    30.2 mi · 36 min

  34. 34

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 6 min

  35. 35

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

    49 m · 3 sec · US 14;US 61

  36. 36

    Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

    864 ft · 12 sec · US 14;US 61

  37. 37

    Continue straight

    12.2 mi · 14 min

  38. 38

    Continue straight

    8.5 mi · 9 min

  39. 39

    Keep slight left

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  40. 40

    Take the exit slight right

    633 ft · 15 sec

  41. 41

    Turn right onto Rose Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake 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
42 steps
20 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pembroke Avenue
34.8 mi · 22%
US Highway 63
23 mi · 15%
US 14
12.4 mi · 8%
US 61
12.4 mi · 8%
State Highway 35
11.4 mi · 7%
Keller Avenue South
7.79 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
125.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stockholm
01h 28m from Balsam Lake
Leave By
12:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Balsam Lake and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near North 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 North La Crosse?

The road trip is about 156.6 miles (252.1 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?

Stockholm is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from Balsam Lake and 78.5 miles from North La Crosse.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 12:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.85 one way or $41.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 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 North La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Stockholm

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

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

RAIL

Red Wing station

24 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

51 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

66 mi away
6251 Traux Lane
RAIL

Winona station

69 mi away
65 East Mark Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 125.8 mi (202.46 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Balsam Lake

Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin

Population1,419
Coordinates45.4521800, -92.4546400
Altitude354
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: Courthouse Avenue (-92.45464, 45.452166)
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.53 gal
20.92 L · about $20.85
Round trip
$41.71
11.06 gal · 41.84 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.3 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.85 $41.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.52 $47.04
Premium $4.65 $25.74 $51.47
Diesel $5.30 $29.33 $58.66

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

There is no time difference between Balsam Lake and North La Crosse. The current time is 01:37:26.

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.