How far is La Crosse, WI from Lake Geneva, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Lake Geneva, WI is about 208.8 miles (336 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 164.2 miles (264.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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
208.75 mi
04h 03m
Flight
164.19 mi
264.24 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
164.19 mi
Kilometers
264.24 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.75 mi
Kilometers
335.95 km
Drive Time
04h 03m

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 04h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Geneva
Fri, Apr 17, 6:19 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Fri, Apr 17, 10:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-17T02:16
Arrive Lake Geneva
Fri, Apr 17, 6:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:04 AM to 12:04 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:52 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
Portage
WI

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
104.3 mi
02h 01m
To Lake Geneva
104.5 mi
02h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S
Destination
76°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Lake Geneva.

  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

    3.5 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Turn left

    1929 ft · 47 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    5.5 mi · 6 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 50: Delavan, Lake Geneva

    1388 ft · 34 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 50 East, I 43 Alternate: Lake Geneva

    84 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto East Geneva Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Geneva Street

  22. 22

    Continue on State Highway 50

    8.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 50

  23. 23

    Continue on West Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  24. 24

    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 Lake Geneva.

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
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
136 mi · 65%
I 39
37.2 mi · 18%
East Racine Street
10.5 mi · 5%
State Highway 50
8.85 mi · 4%
West Main Street
1.01 mi
Main Street
0.92 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
04h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.6 mi
164.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portage
02h 01m from La Crosse
Leave By
8:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny near Lake Geneva.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Lake Geneva?

The road trip is about 208.8 miles (336 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?

Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.3 miles from La Crosse and 104.5 miles from Lake Geneva.

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

The direct path is about 164.2 miles (264.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 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 8:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.79 one way or $55.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around La Crosse and Partly Sunny near Lake Geneva.

Stop Ideas Near Portage

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

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

RAIL

Portage

1 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

27 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

43 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Lake Geneva. Straight-line distance: 164.19 mi (264.24 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Lake Geneva

#2 Lake Geneva

Fourth-class city in Walworth County, Wisconsin

Population8,096
Coordinates42.5916800, -88.4334300
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Lake Geneva (-88.43343, 42.59168)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 336 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.37 gal
27.88 L · about $27.79
Round trip
$55.58
14.74 gal · 55.76 L
Estimated CO2
65.5 kg one way
Round trip: 131 kg / 289 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.79 $55.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.34 $62.69
Premium $4.65 $34.30 $68.60
Diesel $5.30 $39.09 $78.18

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Lake Geneva. The current time is 02:16:04.

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.