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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Amherst, WI is about 144 miles (231.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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
144.04 mi
03h 06m
Flight
106.83 mi
171.92 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
106.83 mi
Kilometers
171.92 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.04 mi
Kilometers
231.81 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Amherst
Wed, Apr 15, 10:04 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 16, 1:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-15T18:58
Arrive Amherst
Wed, Apr 15, 10:04 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 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
10:46 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

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
Necedah
WI

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

From La Crosse
71.9 mi
01h 33m
To Amherst
72.1 mi
01h 33m

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
53°F
Overnight

Areas Of Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    55.1 mi · 59 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon

    901 ft · 22 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    28 m · 7 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Bridge Street

    2144 ft · 40 sec · East Bridge Street

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 80

    6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 80

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 80

    2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 80

  13. 13

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · West 3rd Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 21

    28.3 mi · 40 min · State Highway 21

  16. 16

    Turn left

    1774 ft · 44 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    28.8 mi · 31 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH B: Plover, Amherst

    820 ft · 20 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    50 m · 4 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Plover Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Plover Road

  21. 21

    Continue on County Road B

    8.7 mi · 15 min · County Road B

  22. 22

    Continue on Western Way

    1.3 km · 2 min · Western Way

  23. 23

    Continue on Wilson Street

    2771 ft · 2 min · Wilson Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    8 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

  25. 25

    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 Amherst.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
60.5 mi · 42%
State Highway 21
57.1 mi · 40%
State Highway 80
9.59 mi · 7%
County Road B
8.74 mi · 6%
Plover Road
1.72 mi · 1%
South Main Street
1.2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

55.1 mi · 00h 59m

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 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.2 mi
106.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Necedah
01h 33m from La Crosse
Leave By
10:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog leaving La Crosse and Areas Of Fog near Amherst.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 144 miles (231.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?

Necedah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.9 miles from La Crosse and 72.1 miles from Amherst.

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

The direct path is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 10:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.16 one way or $38.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around La Crosse and Areas Of Fog near Amherst.

Stop Ideas Near Necedah

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

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

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

45 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
BUS

Westfield, WI

50 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

51 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Amherst. Straight-line distance: 106.83 mi (171.92 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Amherst

Town in Portage County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,361
Coordinates44.4508100, -89.2848400
Altitude320
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Amherst (-89.28484, 44.45081)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.08 gal
19.24 L · about $19.16
Round trip
$38.31
10.16 gal · 38.48 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.3 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.16 $38.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.61 $43.21
Premium $4.65 $23.64 $47.28
Diesel $5.30 $26.94 $53.89

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 Amherst. The current time is 18:58:09.

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.