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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Arena, WI is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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
98.49 mi
02h 27m
Flight
79.71 mi
128.28 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
79.71 mi
Kilometers
128.28 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.49 mi
Kilometers
158.5 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Arena
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Wed, Apr 15, 11:52 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-15T18:57
Arrive Arena
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:36 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
Viola
WI

Village in Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
49.2 mi
01h 13m
To Arena
49.3 mi
01h 13m

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
68°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Continue on West Avenue South

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Avenue South

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Avenue

    68 m · 7 sec · South Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    2829 ft · 1 min · South Avenue

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Avenue

    39 m · 4 sec · South Avenue

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    928 ft · 26 sec · South Avenue

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mormon Coulee Road

    41 m · 4 sec · Mormon Coulee Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Mormon Coulee Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Mormon Coulee Road

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    64 m · 5 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    21.3 mi · 30 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    7.4 mi · 13 min · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East Decker Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Decker Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Highland Road

    2525 ft · 39 sec · Highland Road

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 56

    11.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 56

  15. 15

    Continue on West Commercial Street

    1336 ft · 27 sec · West Commercial Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1956 ft · 39 sec · South Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 56

    17.2 mi · 24 min · State Highway 56

  18. 18

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

    2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 80

  19. 19

    Continue on Allison Park Drive

    1 km · 57 sec · Allison Park Drive

  20. 20

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight left

    110 m · 17 sec

  22. 22

    Continue on US Highway 14

    30.3 mi · 43 min · US Highway 14

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    1345 ft · 1 min · Oak Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Street

    45 m · 13 sec · South Street

  25. 25

    Turn left

    41 m · 10 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
0 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 14
30.3 mi · 31%
State Highway 56
28.5 mi · 29%
Mormon Coulee Road
23.9 mi · 24%
North Main Street
8.55 mi · 9%
State Highway 80
2.54 mi · 3%
East Decker Street
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 14

Continue on US Highway 14

30.3 mi · 00h 43m

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
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.8 mi
79.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Viola
01h 13m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Viola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.2 miles from La Crosse and 49.3 miles from Arena.

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

The direct path is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 1:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.12 one way or $26.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Viola

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

55 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

La Crosse

59 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

73 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

97 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Arena. Straight-line distance: 79.71 mi (128.28 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 Arena

Civil town in Iowa County, Wisconsin

Population1,497
Coordinates43.1655500, -89.9129000
Altitude224
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Arena (-89.9129, 43.16555)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.48 gal
13.16 L · about $13.12
Round trip
$26.25
6.96 gal · 26.32 L
Estimated CO2
30.9 kg one way
Round trip: 61.9 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.12 $26.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.80 $29.60
Premium $4.65 $16.20 $32.39
Diesel $5.30 $18.46 $36.92

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 Arena. The current time is 18:57:57.

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.