How far is La Crosse, WI from Eau Claire, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 87.1 miles (140.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71 miles (114.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 36m 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
87.09 mi
01h 48m
Flight
70.95 mi
114.18 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
70.95 mi
Kilometers
114.18 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.09 mi
Kilometers
140.16 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 01h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eau Claire
Thu, Apr 23, 5:08 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 6:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T03:19
Arrive Eau Claire
Thu, Apr 23, 5:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:54 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
Arcadia
WI

Civil town in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
43.5 mi
00h 54m
To Eau Claire
43.6 mi
00h 54m

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
74°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Eau Claire.

  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 · 51 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

    15 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    717 ft · 18 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    809 ft · 20 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on South Hastings Way

    1 mi · 2 min · South Hastings Way

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

    2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Harding Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Washington Street

    721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Farwell Street

    2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

    11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 93
36.5 mi · 42%
State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi · 18%
Losey Boulevard North
14.8 mi · 17%
Osseo Road
1.52 mi · 2%
South Hastings Way
1.05 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.92 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
01h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
71 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arcadia
00h 54m from La Crosse
Leave By
2:54 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 Eau Claire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Eau Claire?

The road trip is about 87.1 miles (140.2 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Arcadia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.5 miles from La Crosse and 43.6 miles from Eau Claire.

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

The direct path is about 71 miles (114.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 2:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.58 one way or $23.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.3 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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.

Stop Ideas Near Arcadia

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

26 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

La Crosse

51 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

60 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

66 mi away
6251 Traux Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 70.95 mi (114.18 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Eau Claire

#2 Eau Claire

The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

Population67,065
Coordinates44.8113500, -91.4984900
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)
End: East Grand Avenue (-91.49848, 44.811339)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 140 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.07 gal
11.63 L · about $11.58
Round trip
$23.15
6.14 gal · 23.26 L
Estimated CO2
27.3 kg one way
Round trip: 54.6 kg / 120 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.58 $23.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.06 $26.11
Premium $4.65 $14.29 $28.58
Diesel $5.30 $16.28 $32.57

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 Eau Claire. The current time is 03:19:54.

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.