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

Fastest route

Here are the directions for traveling from Independence, Wisconsin 54747, USA to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA:

Directions

  • 📍 Head west on Railroad St toward 1st St/Greene St.
  • 🚦 Turn right onto 1st St/Greene St.
  • 🛣️ Take WI-93 Trunk S and US-53 S to I-90 ALT in La Crosse.
  • 🚦 Turn left onto Washington St. Washington St turns slightly left and becomes WI-93 Trunk S/Burrows Rd.
  • 🚗 Continue to follow WI-93 Trunk S.
  • 🚦 Turn left onto WI-54 E/WI-54 Trunk E/WI-93 Trunk S. Continue to follow WI-93 Trunk S.
  • 🚧 Use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-90 W.
  • 🛣️ Take exit 3 for US-53 S/WI-35 S toward La Crosse/Onalaska.
  • 🚦 Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto WI-35 S/I-90 ALT/Rose St. Continue to follow I-90 ALT. Pass by Hardee's (on the right in 1.9 mi).

Tips & Suggestions

  • Make sure to follow the given directions closely.
  • Keep an eye on the road signs to ensure you're on the right path.
  • Check for any updated traffic conditions or road closures before you start your journey.
  • Take breaks as needed to rest and stretch during the approximately 57-minute drive.
  • Have a reliable GPS or map application to navigate the route efficiently.
  • Keep an emergency kit and necessary supplies in your vehicle, including water, snacks, and a first aid kit.
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
51.88 mi
01h 02m
Flight
39.42 mi
63.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.42 mi
Kilometers
63.44 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.88 mi
Kilometers
83.5 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 5:22 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 6:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T04:19
Arrive La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 5:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
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
Galesville
WI

City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

From Independence
25.7 mi
00h 31m
To La Crosse
26.2 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Street

    31 m · 6 sec · Railroad Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 1st Street

    21 m · 9 sec · 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    998 ft · 34 sec · Washington Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Burrows Road

    1754 ft · 60 sec · Burrows Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Diagonal Street

    720 ft · 19 sec · Diagonal Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 93

    21.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 93

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 93

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 93

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    14.8 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Turn straight

    3208 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn slight right

    744 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    3.4 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  16. 16

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

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 93
44.2 mi · 85%
16th Street South
0.78 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.67 mi · 1%
Losey Boulevard North
0.49 mi · 1%
Johnson Street
0.35 mi · 1%
Burrows Road
0.33 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 93

Continue on State Highway 93

21.3 mi · 00h 30m

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
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
39.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Galesville
00h 31m from Independence
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence 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 Independence to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 51.9 miles (83.5 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?

Galesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.7 miles from Independence and 26.2 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 39.4 miles (63.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.90 one way or $13.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Independence and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Galesville

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

24 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

La Crosse

29 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Tomah

68 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

80 mi away
642 University Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 39.42 mi (63.44 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin United States

Population1,291
Coordinates44.3569100, -91.4204300
Altitude238
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: Railroad Street (-91.420375, 44.356789)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 84 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.83 gal
6.93 L · about $6.90
Round trip
$13.80
3.66 gal · 13.86 L
Estimated CO2
16.3 kg one way
Round trip: 32.5 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.90 $13.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.78 $15.57
Premium $4.65 $8.52 $17.03
Diesel $5.30 $9.71 $19.41

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 Independence and La Crosse. The current time is 04:19:55.

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.