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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Clayton, WI is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.2 miles (185.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 59m 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
147.62 mi
03h 29m
Flight
115.23 mi
185.45 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
115.23 mi
Kilometers
185.45 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.62 mi
Kilometers
237.57 km
Drive Time
03h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clayton
Thu, Apr 23, 5:18 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 8:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T01:48
Arrive Clayton
Thu, Apr 23, 5:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 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
10:00 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
Maxville
WI

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

From La Crosse
73.8 mi
01h 44m
To Clayton
73.9 mi
01h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Jackson Street

    3236 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 4th Street South

    2639 ft · 1 min · 4th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Cass Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Cass Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

  6. 6

    Turn right

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    13.2 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1131 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61

    44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61

    2.6 mi · 4 min · US 14;US 61

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    5.3 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail

    2426 ft · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail

  15. 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

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue South

    1.2 km · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue South

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 4th Grant Boulevard West

    633 ft · 11 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West

  18. 18

    Turn slight right

    2044 ft · 39 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Wabasha-Nelson Bridge

    1199 ft · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 25

    2167 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 25

  21. 21

    Continue on State Road 25

    2 mi · 3 min · State Road 25

  22. 22

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Road 25-35

    2406 ft · 41 sec · State Road 25-35

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    946 ft · 35 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto State Road 25

    13.3 mi · 19 min · State Road 25

  26. 26

    Continue on West Prospect Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West Prospect Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue East

    819 ft · 25 sec · 2nd Avenue East

  28. 28

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Main Street

    810 ft · 24 sec · East Main Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto US Highway 10

    1.7 mi · 3 min · US Highway 10

  30. 30

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    5.7 mi · 8 min · State Highway 25

  31. 31

    Continue on County Road Y

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road Y

  32. 32

    Continue on State Highway 25

    10 mi · 14 min · State Highway 25

  33. 33

    Continue on Broadway Street South

    3.6 mi · 9 min · Broadway Street South

  34. 34

    Turn left

    1527 ft · 39 sec

  35. 35

    Merge slight left

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  36. 36

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 128: Spring Valley, Glenwood City

    757 ft · 18 sec

  37. 37

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 128: Glenwood City

    95 m · 9 sec

  38. 38

    Turn right onto State Highway 128

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 128

  39. 39

    Continue on West Oak Street

    1227 ft · 30 sec · West Oak Street

  40. 40

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    2316 ft · 46 sec · 1st Street

  41. 41

    Continue on State Highway 128

    5.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 128

  42. 42

    Continue on County Highway P

    5 mi · 9 min · County Highway P

  43. 43

    Continue on 20th Street

    5.9 mi · 10 min · 20th Street

  44. 44

    Continue on County Highway P

    1.6 mi · 3 min · County Highway P

  45. 45

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  46. 46

    Turn right onto County Highway D

    707 ft · 20 sec · County Highway D

  47. 47

    Turn left onto East Clayton Avenue

    71 m · 10 sec · East Clayton Avenue

  48. 48

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Clayton Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
48 steps
21 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran
25.3 mi · 17%
US 14
20.6 mi · 14%
Broadway Street South
16.5 mi · 11%
State Highway 25
16.1 mi · 11%
State Road 25
15.3 mi · 10%
State Highway 128
14.8 mi · 10%
Longest Stretch

Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran

Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

25.3 mi · 00h 29m

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 29m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.4 mi
115.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maxville
01h 44m from La Crosse
Leave By
10:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clayton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?

Maxville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from La Crosse and 73.9 miles from Clayton.

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

The direct path is about 115.2 miles (185.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 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 10:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Clayton.

Stop Ideas Near Maxville

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

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

BUS

Menomonie, WI

39 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

Red Wing station

42 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

48 mi away
6251 Traux Lane
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

49 mi away
642 University Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Clayton. Straight-line distance: 115.23 mi (185.45 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Clayton

#2 Clayton

Village in Polk County, Wisconsin

Population4,227
Coordinates45.3313500, -92.1713000
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Clayton (-92.1713, 45.33135)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.72 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.44 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Clayton. The current time is 01:48:18.

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.