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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Excelsior, WI is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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
63.77 mi
01h 37m
Flight
48.79 mi
78.52 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
48.79 mi
Kilometers
78.52 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
63.77 mi
Kilometers
102.62 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Excelsior
Tue, May 12, 8:35 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Tue, May 12, 10:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-05-12T18:57
Arrive Excelsior
Tue, May 12, 8:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:14 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
Viroqua
WI

City in and county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
31.9 mi
00h 48m
To Excelsior
31.9 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph SW
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Continue on West Avenue South

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Avenue South

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Avenue

    68 m · 7 sec · South Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    2829 ft · 1 min · South Avenue

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Avenue

    39 m · 4 sec · South Avenue

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    928 ft · 26 sec · South Avenue

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mormon Coulee Road

    41 m · 4 sec · Mormon Coulee Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Mormon Coulee Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Mormon Coulee Road

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    64 m · 5 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    21.3 mi · 30 min

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    10.2 mi · 18 min · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 14

    32 m · 2 sec · US Highway 14

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14

    7.3 mi · 10 min · US Highway 14

  14. 14

    Continue on West Kickapoo Street

    1484 ft · 32 sec · West Kickapoo Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Soldiers Grove Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Soldiers Grove Road

  16. 16

    Continue on US Highway 61

    12.3 mi · 17 min · US Highway 61

  17. 17

    Turn left onto County Highway S

    6.1 mi · 8 min · County Highway S

  18. 18

    Turn right onto County Highway F

    2407 ft · 1 min · County Highway F

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Excelsior Road

    7 m · 1 sec · Excelsior Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Excelsior Road

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
0 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Mormon Coulee Road
23.9 mi · 38%
US Highway 61
12.3 mi · 19%
North Main Street
10.2 mi · 16%
US Highway 14
7.35 mi · 12%
County Highway S
6.07 mi · 10%
Soldiers Grove Road
1.59 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Mormon Coulee Road

Exit the roundabout

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
48.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Viroqua
00h 48m from La Crosse
Leave By
3:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving La Crosse and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Excelsior.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?

Viroqua is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.9 miles from La Crosse and 31.9 miles from Excelsior.

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

The direct path is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 3:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.48 one way or $16.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around La Crosse and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Excelsior.

Stop Ideas Near Viroqua

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

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

RAIL

La Crosse

42 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Tomah

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

Winona station

81 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

90 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Excelsior. Straight-line distance: 48.79 mi (78.52 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Excelsior

Civil town in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,681
Coordinates43.2516500, -90.6281800
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Excelsior (-90.62818, 43.25165)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 103 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.25 gal
8.52 L · about $8.48
Round trip
$16.97
4.5 gal · 17.04 L
Estimated CO2
20 kg one way
Round trip: 40 kg / 88 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.48 $16.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.57 $19.14
Premium $4.65 $10.47 $20.94
Diesel $5.30 $11.93 $23.87

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Excelsior. The current time is 18:57:29.

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.