How far is Hamilton, WI from La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Hamilton, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 168.4 miles (271 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139 miles (223.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
168.42 mi
02h 55m
Flight
138.98 mi
223.66 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hamilton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.98 mi
Kilometers
223.66 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.42 mi
Kilometers
271.04 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 12:09 AM CDT
Return by in Hamilton
Sun, Apr 19, 3:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hamilton
2026-04-18T21:13
Arrive La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 12:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hamilton
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
Wisconsin Dells
WI

City in Wisconsin, United States

From Hamilton
86.2 mi
01h 27m
To La Crosse
82.1 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
47°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hamilton and La Crosse.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton and La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road B

    1846 ft · 56 sec · County Road B

  2. 2

    Turn left onto State Highway 175

    2.9 mi · 5 min · State Highway 175

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1095 ft · 29 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    22.5 mi · 26 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road C

    6 mi · 8 min · County Road C

  6. 6

    Turn right onto County Road A

    1108 ft · 17 sec · County Road A

  7. 7

    Continue on East State Street

    1419 ft · 36 sec · East State Street

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 68

    47 m · 4 sec · State Highway 68

  9. 9

    Continue on East State Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 33

    27.2 mi · 40 min · State Highway 33

  11. 11

    Continue on East Cook Street

    4.9 mi · 7 min · East Cook Street

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right

    2038 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    60.2 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  17. 17

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  21. 21

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

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hamilton and La Crosse.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
22 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Cook Street
65.5 mi · 39%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 23%
State Highway 33
27.2 mi · 16%
State Highway 175
25.4 mi · 15%
County Road C
6.01 mi · 4%
East State Street
1.29 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Cook Street

Merge slight left

60.2 mi · 01h 05m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.4 mi
139 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 27m from Hamilton
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hamilton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hamilton to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 168.4 miles (271 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Hamilton and 82.1 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 139 miles (223.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Hamilton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

26 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

37 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

68 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hamilton and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 138.98 mi (223.66 km).

Hamilton

#1 Hamilton

Civil town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Population2,540
Coordinates43.6974900, -88.4587200
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
La Crosse

#2 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road B (-88.458732, 43.697093)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.94 gal
22.5 L · about $22.40
Round trip
$44.80
11.88 gal · 45 L
Estimated CO2
52.8 kg one way
Round trip: 105.6 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.40 $44.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.26 $50.53
Premium $4.65 $27.64 $55.29
Diesel $5.30 $31.51 $63.01

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Hamilton and La Crosse. The current time is 21:13:55.

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.