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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Ellsworth, WI is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 89.2 miles (143.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 43m 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
105.66 mi
02h 21m
Flight
89.15 mi
143.47 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
89.15 mi
Kilometers
143.47 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.66 mi
Kilometers
170.05 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellsworth
Sat, May 23, 10:06 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sat, May 23, 12:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-05-23T07:44
Arrive Ellsworth
Sat, May 23, 10:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:22 AM to 12:22 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:46 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
Alma
WI

City in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
52.8 mi
01h 10m
To Ellsworth
52.9 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 mph NE
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    28.2 mi · 33 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1020 ft · 18 sec · 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Route 61

    9.5 mi · 13 min · Route 61

  18. 18

    Continue on South Lakeshore Drive

    2.8 mi · 6 min · South Lakeshore Drive

  19. 19

    Continue on Route 61/Route 63

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Route 63

    12.1 mi · 18 min · Route 63

  21. 21

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran
28.2 mi · 27%
US 14
20.6 mi · 19%
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 14%
Route 63
12.1 mi · 11%
Route 61
9.52 mi · 9%
US 61
3.99 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veteran

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

28.2 mi · 00h 33m

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 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.5 mi
89.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Alma
01h 10m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Ellsworth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Alma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.8 miles from La Crosse and 52.9 miles from Ellsworth.

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

The direct path is about 89.2 miles (143.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 1:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.07 one way or $28.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around La Crosse and Chance Rain Showers near Ellsworth.

Stop Ideas Near Alma

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

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

RAIL

Winona station

38 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

57 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

62 mi away
642 University Drive
BUS

Menomonie, WI

62 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Ellsworth. Straight-line distance: 89.15 mi (143.47 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 Ellsworth

Village in Pierce County, Wisconsin

Population1,180
Coordinates44.7321900, -92.4874100
Altitude370
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Ellsworth (-92.48741, 44.73219)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 170 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.73 gal
14.11 L · about $14.07
Round trip
$28.13
7.46 gal · 28.22 L
Estimated CO2
33.1 kg one way
Round trip: 66.3 kg / 146 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.07 $28.13
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.86 $31.73
Premium $4.65 $17.36 $34.72
Diesel $5.30 $19.78 $39.57

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 · May 23, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Ellsworth. The current time is 07:44:22.

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.