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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Alto, WI is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
153.52 mi
03h 14m
Flight
122.33 mi
196.87 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.33 mi
Kilometers
196.87 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.52 mi
Kilometers
247.07 km
Drive Time
03h 14m

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 03h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alto
Thu, Apr 16, 9:58 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 16, 1:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-16T06:43
Arrive Alto
Thu, Apr 16, 9:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:15 AM to 11:15 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lyndon Station
WI

Village in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
76.6 mi
01h 37m
To Alto
76.9 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 mph N
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn right

    107 m · 12 sec

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North

    2555 ft · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    4.5 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    2171 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

    926 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    53 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    33.4 mi · 49 min

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 68

    8.3 mi · 12 min · State Highway 68

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Verhage Road

    2493 ft · 2 min · Verhage Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 49

    2.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 49

  14. 14

    Turn left onto County Road E

    1.6 km · 2 min · County Road E

  15. 15

    Continue on County Road EE

    1 mi · 2 min · County Road EE

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road AS

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
105 mi · 68%
State Highway 68
8.29 mi · 5%
State Highway 49
2.4 mi · 2%
County Road EE
1.02 mi · 1%
County Road E
1 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

99.6 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.2 mi
122.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lyndon Station
01h 37m from La Crosse
Leave By
10:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Alto.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 153.5 miles (247.1 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?

Lyndon Station is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.6 miles from La Crosse and 76.9 miles from Alto.

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

The direct path is about 122.3 miles (196.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 10:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.44 one way or $40.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Alto.

Stop Ideas Near Lyndon Station

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

14 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

39 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Tomah

57 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Alto. Straight-line distance: 122.33 mi (196.87 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Alto

Civil town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

Population1,063
Coordinates43.6766500, -88.7951100
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Alto (-88.79511, 43.67665)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.42 gal
20.51 L · about $20.44
Round trip
$40.88
10.84 gal · 41.02 L
Estimated CO2
48.2 kg one way
Round trip: 96.3 kg / 212 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.44 $40.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.05 $46.10
Premium $4.65 $25.22 $50.45
Diesel $5.30 $28.75 $57.50

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Alto. The current time is 06:43:39.

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.