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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Hamilton, WI is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139 miles (223.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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
172.8 mi
03h 34m
Flight
138.98 mi
223.66 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
138.98 mi
Kilometers
223.66 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.8 mi
Kilometers
278.09 km
Drive Time
03h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hamilton
Sun, Apr 19, 2:25 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 5:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-18T22:51
Arrive Hamilton
Sun, Apr 19, 2:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 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
9:52 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
Wisconsin Dells
WI

City in Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
86.2 mi
01h 47m
To Hamilton
86.6 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW
Destination
60°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

    926 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    53 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    33.4 mi · 50 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East State Street

    1419 ft · 35 sec · East State Street

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road A

    1108 ft · 23 sec · County Road A

  13. 13

    Turn left onto County Road C

    6 mi · 8 min · County Road C

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie

    30 m · 5 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    41 m · 2 sec

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight left toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac

    100 m · 17 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    22.6 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 175: Main Street

    1069 ft · 28 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 175

    2.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 175

  20. 20

    Turn right onto County Road B

    1846 ft · 51 sec · County Road B

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road B

Car Route Details

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

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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
105 mi · 61%
County Road C
6 mi · 3%
State Highway 175
2.71 mi · 2%
Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
West Avenue South
0.71 mi
County Road B
0.35 mi
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

99.6 mi · 01h 47m

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 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.8 mi
139 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 47m from La Crosse
Leave By
9:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hamilton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?

Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from La Crosse and 86.6 miles from Hamilton.

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

The direct path is about 139 miles (223.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 9:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers around La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Hamilton.

Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

26 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

37 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

68 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Hamilton. Straight-line distance: 138.98 mi (223.66 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Hamilton

Civil town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Population2,540
Coordinates43.6974900, -88.4587200
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Hamilton (-88.45872, 43.69749)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.1 gal
23.08 L · about $23.00
Round trip
$46.01
12.2 gal · 46.16 L
Estimated CO2
54.2 kg one way
Round trip: 108.4 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.00 $46.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.94 $51.89
Premium $4.65 $28.39 $56.78
Diesel $5.30 $32.35 $64.71

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Hamilton. The current time is 22:51:28.

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.