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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Alma, WI is about 55.2 miles (88.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 49.1 miles (79 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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
55.17 mi
01h 17m
Flight
49.07 mi
78.97 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
49.07 mi
Kilometers
78.97 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.17 mi
Kilometers
88.79 km
Drive Time
01h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alma
Wed, Apr 15, 8:09 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Wed, Apr 15, 9:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-15T18:52
Arrive Alma
Wed, Apr 15, 8:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
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
Dodge
WI

Human settlement in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, United States of America

From La Crosse
27.6 mi
00h 38m
To Alma
27.6 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Areas Of Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 mph NW
Destination
67°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Jackson Street

    3236 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 4th Street South

    2639 ft · 1 min · 4th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Cass Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

  6. 6

    Turn right

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    13.2 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1131 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

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

    44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US 14;US 61

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Huff Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Huff Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    113 m · 15 sec · West 4th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Minnesota Highway 43

    1.2 km · 1 min · Minnesota Highway 43

  16. 16

    Continue on State Road 54

    1.3 km · 1 min · State Road 54

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Road 35

    4.3 mi · 6 min · State Road 35

  18. 18

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto North Shore Drive

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Shore Drive

  20. 20

    Continue on State Road 35

    15.3 mi · 22 min · State Road 35

  21. 21

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Road 35
19.6 mi · 35%
US 14
17.4 mi · 32%
South Main Street
2.42 mi · 4%
Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
1.69 mi · 3%
Cass Street
1.44 mi · 3%
Huff Street
1.15 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

State Road 35

Continue on State Road 35

15.3 mi · 00h 22m

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 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.1 mi
49.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dodge
00h 38m from La Crosse
Leave By
3:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog leaving La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Alma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 55.2 miles (88.8 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?

Dodge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.6 miles from La Crosse and 27.6 miles from Alma.

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

The direct path is about 49.1 miles (79 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 3:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Alma.

Stop Ideas Near Dodge

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

12 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

La Crosse

41 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

74 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

79 mi away
6251 Traux Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Alma. Straight-line distance: 49.07 mi (78.97 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Alma

#2 Alma

City in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,095
Coordinates44.3199700, -91.9148800
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Alma (-91.91488, 44.31997)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 89 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.95 gal
7.37 L · about $7.35
Round trip
$14.71
3.9 gal · 14.74 L
Estimated CO2
17.3 kg one way
Round trip: 34.7 kg / 77 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.35 $14.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.29 $16.59
Premium $4.65 $9.08 $18.15
Diesel $5.30 $10.34 $20.69

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Alma. The current time is 18:52:24.

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.