How far is La Crosse, WI from Big Bend, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Big Bend, WI is about 204.5 miles (329.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 53m 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
204.51 mi
03h 56m
Flight
165.11 mi
265.72 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
165.11 mi
Kilometers
265.72 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
204.51 mi
Kilometers
329.12 km
Drive Time
03h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Big Bend
Sat, Apr 11, 6:19 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sat, Apr 11, 10:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-11T14:22
Arrive Big Bend
Sat, Apr 11, 6:19 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 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
9:06 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
Lewiston
WI

Town in Wisconsin, USA

From La Crosse
102.1 mi
01h 58m
To Big Bend
102.4 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 10 mph SE
Destination
52°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Big Bend.

  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

    131 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    51.6 mi · 55 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 318, CTH G: Pewaukee, Waukesha

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 318, I 94 East Alternate: Waukesha, Waukesha Bypass, Meadowbrook Road

    77 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Meadowbrook Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Meadowbrook Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Les Paul Parkway

    5.6 mi · 10 min · Les Paul Parkway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 164

    4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 164

  14. 14

    Continue on Big Bend Drive

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Big Bend Drive

  15. 15

    Continue on Clark Street

    1781 ft · 49 sec · Clark Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Maple Avenue

    158 m · 25 sec · Maple Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Jackson Parkway

    9 m · 1 sec · Jackson Parkway

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jackson Parkway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
136 mi · 67%
I 94
51.6 mi · 25%
Les Paul Parkway
5.57 mi · 3%
State Highway 164
4.29 mi · 2%
Big Bend Drive
2.33 mi · 1%
Meadowbrook Road
1.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

131 mi · 02h 20m

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 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.4 mi
165.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lewiston
01h 58m from La Crosse
Leave By
9:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Big Bend.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Big Bend?

The road trip is about 204.5 miles (329.1 km) and usually takes 03h 56m 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?

Lewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.1 miles from La Crosse and 102.4 miles from Big Bend.

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

The direct path is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 9:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.23 one way or $54.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Big Bend.

Stop Ideas Near Lewiston

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

12 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

14 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

36 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

57 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Big Bend. Straight-line distance: 165.11 mi (265.72 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Big Bend

#2 Big Bend

Village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin

Population1,487
Coordinates42.8814000, -88.2067600
Altitude250
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Big Bend (-88.20676, 42.8814)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 329 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.22 gal
27.32 L · about $27.23
Round trip
$54.45
14.44 gal · 54.64 L
Estimated CO2
64.2 kg one way
Round trip: 128.3 kg / 283 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.23 $54.45
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.71 $61.41
Premium $4.65 $33.60 $67.20
Diesel $5.30 $38.29 $76.59

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Big Bend. The current time is 14:22:37.

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.