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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Colfax, WI is about 108.5 miles (174.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m 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
108.49 mi
02h 31m
Flight
86.07 mi
138.52 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
86.07 mi
Kilometers
138.52 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.49 mi
Kilometers
174.59 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colfax
Thu, Apr 23, 4:07 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 6:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T01:36
Arrive Colfax
Thu, Apr 23, 4:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 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
Independence
WI

City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin United States

From La Crosse
54.2 mi
01h 15m
To Colfax
54.2 mi
01h 15m

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
76°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3.3 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Turn slight left

    698 ft · 15 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    12.7 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 93

    21.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 93

  10. 10

    Continue on Diagonal Street

    720 ft · 19 sec · Diagonal Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Burrows Road

    1754 ft · 60 sec · Burrows Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Washington Street

    1211 ft · 41 sec · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Osseo Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Osseo Road

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 93 / 121

    15.3 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93 / 121

  15. 15

    Continue on Main Street South

    1789 ft · 53 sec · Main Street South

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Lake Park Drive

    1683 ft · 44 sec · Lake Park Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 93

    13.5 mi · 19 min · State Highway 93

  18. 18

    Turn left onto I 94

    1973 ft · 50 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    16.3 mi · 17 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 29, WI 40: Colfax, Elk Mound

    1703 ft · 42 sec

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.2 km · 57 sec

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East, WI 40 North: Colfax, Elk Mound

    1637 ft · 45 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 40

    7.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 40

  24. 24

    Continue on Main Street

    2597 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 93
34.7 mi · 32%
I 94
16.6 mi · 15%
State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi · 14%
Losey Boulevard North
14.8 mi · 14%
State Highway 40
7.77 mi · 7%
Osseo Road
1.52 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 93

Continue on State Highway 93

21.3 mi · 00h 30m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
86.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Independence
01h 15m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 108.5 miles (174.6 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Independence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.2 miles from La Crosse and 54.2 miles from Colfax.

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

The direct path is about 86.1 miles (138.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.44 one way or $28.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34 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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Colfax.

Stop Ideas Near Independence

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

39 mi away
65 East Mark Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

49 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

56 mi away
6251 Traux Lane
BUS

Chippewa Falls, WI

59 mi away
2750 120th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 86.07 mi (138.52 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 Colfax

Village in Dunn County, Wisconsin

Population1,244
Coordinates44.9974600, -91.7271200
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Colfax (-91.72712, 44.99746)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 175 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.83 gal
14.49 L · about $14.44
Round trip
$28.89
7.66 gal · 28.98 L
Estimated CO2
34 kg one way
Round trip: 68.1 kg / 150 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.44 $28.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.29 $32.58
Premium $4.65 $17.82 $35.65
Diesel $5.30 $20.31 $40.63

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 Colfax. The current time is 01:36:01.

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.