How far is La Crosse, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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 49m.
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.
Village in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
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1
Start on West Avenue South
12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto Jackson Street
3236 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street South
2639 ft · 1 min · 4th Street South
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4
Turn left onto Cass Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street
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5
Continue on Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
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6
Turn right
7.2 mi · 9 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona
1.5 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
13.2 mi · 15 min
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10
Continue straight
1131 ft · 16 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
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12
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
2.6 mi · 4 min · US 14;US 61
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13
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 8 min
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14
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
2426 ft · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
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15
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
25.3 mi · 29 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
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16
Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue South
1.2 km · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue South
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17
Turn left onto 4th Grant Boulevard West
633 ft · 11 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West
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18
Turn slight right
2044 ft · 39 sec
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19
Continue on Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
1199 ft · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
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20
Continue on State Highway 25
2167 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 25
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21
Continue on State Road 25
2 mi · 3 min · State Road 25
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22
Continue on North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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23
Continue on State Road 25-35
3255 ft · 55 sec · State Road 25-35
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24
Continue on State Road 35
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35
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25
Continue on 3rd Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 3rd Street
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26
Continue on State Highway 35
11.4 mi · 17 min · State Highway 35
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27
Continue on Great River Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Great River Road
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28
Turn right onto County Road D
7.1 mi · 13 min · County Road D
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29
Turn left onto US Highway 10
1.4 mi · 2 min · US Highway 10
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30
Turn right onto County Road DD
2 mi · 4 min · County Road DD
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 63
29.6 mi · 43 min · US Highway 63
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 46
45 m · 9 sec · State Highway 46
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33
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 46
3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 46
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34
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
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35
Continue on State Highway 46
7.8 mi · 14 min · State Highway 46
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36
Turn left onto County Highway F
1.1 km · 1 min · County Highway F
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37
Turn right onto 105th Street
1690 ft · 1 min · 105th Street
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38
At the end of the road, turn left onto Baker Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Baker Avenue
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39
At the end of the road, turn right onto 110th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · 110th Street
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40
Continue on 110th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · 110th Street
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41
Turn straight onto County Highway H
2.8 mi · 4 min · County Highway H
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42
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
2.9 mi · 4 min · East 130th Avenue
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43
Turn right onto 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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44
Continue on West Main Street
2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street
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45
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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46
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
US Highway 63
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 63
29.6 mi · 00h 43m
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 Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Balsam Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Balsam Lake?
The road trip is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Stockholm is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from La Crosse and 79 miles from Balsam Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.00 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Balsam Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Stockholm
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 Stockholm.
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Winona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 128.76 mi (207.22 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 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.00 | $42.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.92 | $51.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.54 | $59.09 |
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.