How far is La Crosse, WI from Athens, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Athens, WI is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Clark County in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Athens.
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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
11 mi · 18 min
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6
Turn left onto State Highway 108
11.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 108
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7
Continue on State Highway 108
5.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 108
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8
Continue on Sparta Street
1842 ft · 31 sec · Sparta Street
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9
Continue on North Washington Street
1.5 km · 1 min · North Washington Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 54
14.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 54
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11
Continue on Melrose Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Melrose Street
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12
Continue on South 10th Street
643 ft · 13 sec · South 10th Street
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13
Turn right onto Main Street
3256 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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14
Turn left onto North Water Street
1.1 km · 2 min · North Water Street
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15
Continue on US Highway 12
2.6 mi · 4 min · US Highway 12
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16
Turn right onto County Highway E
7.8 mi · 14 min · County Highway E
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17
Turn left onto County Highway K
2911 ft · 1 min · County Highway K
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road J
3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road J
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19
Turn right onto State Highway 95
8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 95
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20
Continue on State Highway 73
3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73
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21
Turn right onto West Division Street
2 mi · 4 min · West Division Street
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22
Continue on US Highway 10
21 mi · 29 min · US Highway 10
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US Highway 10
88 m · 16 sec · US Highway 10
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24
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 10
1.8 mi · 3 min · US Highway 10
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Central Avenue
37 m · 7 sec · South Central Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
622 ft · 12 sec · South Central Avenue
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Central Avenue
46 m · 3 sec · South Central Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
5.1 mi · 9 min · South Central Avenue
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29
Continue on State Highway 97
24.4 mi · 41 min · State Highway 97
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30
Continue on Pine Street
3230 ft · 1 min · Pine Street
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mueller Street
1299 ft · 28 sec · Mueller Street
-
32
Turn right onto Alfred Street
12 m · 2 sec · Alfred Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alfred Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Athens.
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 97
Continue on State Highway 97
24.4 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Athens?
The road trip is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Neillsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.4 miles from La Crosse and 64.5 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Neillsville
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 Neillsville.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Athens. Straight-line distance: 102.71 mi (165.3 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 Athens
Village in Marathon County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,079 |
| Coordinates | 45.0330200, -90.0740200 |
| Altitude | 427 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-90.07402, 45.03302)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.16 | $34.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.18 | $42.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.