How far is La Crosse, WI from Altoona, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Altoona, WI is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70 miles (112.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Civil town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Altoona.
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1
Start on West Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · West Avenue South
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2
Turn right
107 m · 12 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
2555 ft · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
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5
Continue straight
3.3 mi · 6 min
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6
Turn slight left
698 ft · 15 sec
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7
Turn left
12.7 mi · 16 min
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8
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 15 min
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9
Continue on State Highway 93
21.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 93
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10
Continue on Diagonal Street
720 ft · 19 sec · Diagonal Street
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11
Continue on Burrows Road
1754 ft · 60 sec · Burrows Road
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12
Continue on Washington Street
1211 ft · 41 sec · Washington Street
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13
Continue on Osseo Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Osseo Road
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14
Continue on State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93 / 121
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15
Continue on Main Street South
1789 ft · 53 sec · Main Street South
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16
Turn straight onto Lake Park Drive
1683 ft · 44 sec · Lake Park Drive
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17
Continue on State Highway 93
15 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93
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18
Keep slight left
717 ft · 18 sec
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19
Keep slight left
1261 ft · 31 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
675 ft · 17 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
135 m · 11 sec
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22
Turn straight onto US 12
1183 ft · 22 sec · US 12
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23
Turn slight left
634 ft · 26 sec
-
24
Turn left onto 10th Street West
2865 ft · 1 min · 10th Street West
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25
Turn right onto Bartlett Avenue
159 m · 28 sec · Bartlett Avenue
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26
Turn left onto 9th Street West
104 m · 17 sec · 9th Street West
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27
Turn right onto Garfield Avenue
682 ft · 30 sec · Garfield Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Garfield Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Altoona.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Altoona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Altoona?
The road trip is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?
Arcadia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.8 miles from La Crosse and 42.8 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70 miles (112.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 2:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.39 one way or $22.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Arcadia
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 Arcadia.
Winona station
La Crosse
Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 70.05 mi (112.73 km).
#1 La Crosse
The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 51,163 |
| Coordinates | 43.8013600, -91.2395800 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altoona
City in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
| Population | 8,062 |
| Coordinates | 44.8046800, -91.4432100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altoona (-91.44321, 44.80468)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 138 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.39 | $22.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.84 | $25.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.06 | $28.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.02 | $32.04 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.