How far is Kansas City, KS from La Crosse, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to La Crosse, KS is about 275.8 miles (443.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 59m 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 04h 59m.
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.
City in Kansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and La Crosse.
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1
Start on the route
45 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 56 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Kansas Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Kansas Turnpike
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
49.4 mi · 49 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward KS 156, Ellsworth, Great Bend
931 ft · 28 sec
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9
Turn left
32.6 mi · 39 min
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10
Turn sharp left
927 ft · 36 sec
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11
Turn right
44.6 mi · 54 min
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12
Turn left onto Main Street
2635 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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13
Turn left onto 9th Street
99 m · 16 sec · 9th Street
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14
Turn right onto Peace Street
22 m · 3 sec · Peace Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Peace Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and 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.
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi · 01h 34m
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 Sunny leaving Kansas City and Chance Rain Showers near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 275.8 miles (443.8 km) and usually takes 04h 59m 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?
Chapman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.6 miles from Kansas City and 138.1 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 7:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.69 one way or $73.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kansas City and Chance Rain Showers near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Chapman
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 Chapman.
Newton
Topeka
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 255.16 mi (410.64 km).
#1 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Crosse
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,197 |
| Coordinates | 38.5314000, -99.3087200 |
| Altitude | 627 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Crosse (-99.30872, 38.5314)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 444 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.69 | $73.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.38 | $82.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.28 | $90.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.61 | $103.22 |
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 Kansas · May 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.