How far is La Crosse, WI from De Forest, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to De Forest, WI is about 129.3 miles (208.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.4 miles (164.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 56m 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
129.32 mi
02h 28m
Flight
102.39 mi
164.78 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
102.39 mi
Kilometers
164.78 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.32 mi
Kilometers
208.12 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in De Forest
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 3:19 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-22T22:22
Arrive De Forest
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:34 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
New Lisbon
WI

City in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
64.6 mi
01h 14m
To De Forest
64.7 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SE
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and De Forest.

  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

    119.7 mi · 2 hr 8 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH V: Dane, De Forest

    1536 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    36 m · 5 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1781 ft · 36 sec · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
125 mi · 97%
Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
West Avenue South
0.71 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.34 mi
CTH V
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

120 mi · 02h 08m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.9 mi
102.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Lisbon
01h 14m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving La Crosse and Sunny near De Forest.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to De Forest?

The road trip is about 129.3 miles (208.1 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?

New Lisbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.6 miles from La Crosse and 64.7 miles from De Forest.

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

The direct path is about 102.4 miles (164.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 1:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.20 one way or $34.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Crosse and Sunny near De Forest.

Stop Ideas Near New Lisbon

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

30 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

42 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

55 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

63 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and De Forest. Straight-line distance: 102.39 mi (164.78 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
De Forest

#2 De Forest

Village in Dane County, Wisconsin

Population8,936
Coordinates43.2477700, -89.3437300
Altitude289
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: De Forest (-89.34373, 43.24777)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
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.

One-way fuel
4.56 gal
17.27 L · about $17.20
Round trip
$34.39
9.12 gal · 34.54 L
Estimated CO2
40.5 kg one way
Round trip: 81 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.20 $34.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.39 $38.79
Premium $4.65 $21.22 $42.44
Diesel $5.30 $24.19 $48.37

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 De Forest. The current time is 22:22:52.

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.