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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Fontana, WI is about 201.3 miles (324 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
201.32 mi
03h 56m
Flight
159.62 mi
256.88 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.62 mi
Kilometers
256.88 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
201.32 mi
Kilometers
324 km
Drive Time
03h 56m

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 03h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fontana
Thu, Oct 15, 10:26 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Fri, Oct 16, 2:22 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-10-15T18:30
Arrive Fontana
Thu, Oct 15, 10:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lewiston
WI

Town in Wisconsin, USA

From La Crosse
100.5 mi
01h 58m
To Fontana
100.8 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph NE
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    131 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39, I 90: Chicago

    37.2 mi · 40 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 11 East: Delavan

    947 ft · 20 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    158 m · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Racine Street

    90 m · 17 sec · East Racine Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto East Racine Street

    669 ft · 13 sec · East Racine Street

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Racine Street

    34 m · 7 sec · East Racine Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto East Racine Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street

  15. 15

    Turn straight

    11.2 mi · 15 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    10.3 mi · 16 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Brick Church Road

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Brick Church Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Dewey Avenue

    2030 ft · 59 sec · Dewey Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto State Highway 67

    2263 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 67

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Kinzie Avenue

    896 ft · 39 sec · Kinzie Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Kinzie Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
136 mi · 68%
I 39
37.2 mi · 18%
East Racine Street
11.9 mi · 6%
Brick Church Road
1.61 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.92 mi
West Avenue South
0.71 mi
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

131 mi · 02h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.7 mi
159.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lewiston
01h 58m from La Crosse
Leave By
9:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving La Crosse and Rain Showers near Fontana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 201.3 miles (324 km) and usually takes 03h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from La Crosse and 100.8 miles from Fontana.

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

The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.22 one way or $58.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lewiston

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

12 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

14 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

36 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

57 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Fontana. Straight-line distance: 159.62 mi (256.88 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 Fontana

Situated on the western shore of Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin, this village functions primarily as a resort community within Walworth County.

Population0
Coordinates42.5514100, -88.5751000
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Fontana (-88.5751, 42.55141)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 324 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.1 gal
26.89 L · about $29.22
Round trip
$58.45
14.2 gal · 53.78 L
Estimated CO2
63.1 kg one way
Round trip: 126.2 kg / 278 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.12 $29.22 $58.45
Mid-grade $4.72 $33.48 $66.95
Premium $5.30 $37.60 $75.20
Diesel $6.19 $43.96 $87.91

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Fontana. The current time is 18:30:50.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.