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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Lincoln, WI is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m 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
234.1 mi
05h 09m
Flight
186.87 mi
300.74 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
186.87 mi
Kilometers
300.74 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.1 mi
Kilometers
376.75 km
Drive Time
05h 09m

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 05h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Sun, Apr 19, 8:55 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 2:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-19T03:45
Arrive Lincoln
Sun, Apr 19, 8:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:09 AM to 1:09 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
6:42 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
Princeton
WI

Civil town in Green Lake County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
116.9 mi
02h 34m
To Lincoln
117.3 mi
02h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
42°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    62.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford

    1644 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Highway 82

    40 m · 5 sec · State Highway 82

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 82

    882 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 82

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 82

    9 m · 1 sec · State Highway 82

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 82

    24.6 mi · 37 min · State Highway 82

  13. 13

    Continue on West Ormsby Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Ormsby Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 82

    3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 82

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 23

    6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23

  16. 16

    Continue on Underwood Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Underwood Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on West Montello Street

    799 ft · 18 sec · West Montello Street

  18. 18

    Continue on East Montello Street

    2978 ft · 50 sec · East Montello Street

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 23

    9.9 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23

  20. 20

    Continue on South 2nd Street

    2665 ft · 49 sec · South 2nd Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · West Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South Fulton Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Fulton Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 23 & 73

    9.5 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23 & 73

  24. 24

    Continue on State Highway 23 & 49

    3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 23 & 49

  25. 25

    Continue on West Fond du Lac Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Fond du Lac Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto North Union Street

    123 m · 15 sec · North Union Street

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto West Oshkosh Street

    1.4 mi · 4 min · West Oshkosh Street

  28. 28

    Keep slight left to continue on East Oshkosh Street

    80 m · 9 sec · East Oshkosh Street

  29. 29

    Continue on State Highway 44

    14.8 mi · 22 min · State Highway 44

  30. 30

    Continue on Ripon Rd

    1.4 km · 1 min · Ripon Rd

  31. 31

    Continue on State Highway 44/91

    848 ft · 22 sec · State Highway 44/91

  32. 32

    Turn left onto I-41_North: Appleton

    1296 ft · 34 sec

  33. 33

    Merge slight left onto Appleton

    53.8 mi · 58 min

  34. 34

    Take the exit slight right toward I 43 South, US 141 South: Milwaukee

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  35. 35

    Keep slight left to continue on I 43 South: Milwaukee

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  36. 36

    Continue straight

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  37. 37

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 54, WI 57, LMCT: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma

    973 ft · 24 sec

  38. 38

    Keep slight left to continue on WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma

    2410 ft · 59 sec

  39. 39

    Merge slight right onto WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma

    13.6 mi · 15 min

  40. 40

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH P, CTH DK: Dyckesville

    1531 ft · 48 sec

  41. 41

    Turn left onto North Sugarbush Road

    1043 ft · 29 sec · North Sugarbush Road

  42. 42

    Continue on County Road DK

    1.4 km · 2 min · County Road DK

  43. 43

    Turn right onto County Road S

    2.5 mi · 6 min · County Road S

  44. 44

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road S

    4.1 mi · 10 min · County Road S

  45. 45

    Turn left onto Red River Lincoln T L Road

    26 m · 4 sec · Red River Lincoln T L Road

  46. 46

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Red River Lincoln T L Road

Car Route Details

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

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
46 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
68 mi · 29%
Appleton
53.7 mi · 23%
State Highway 82
28.3 mi · 12%
State Highway 23
16 mi · 7%
State Highway 44
14.8 mi · 6%
WI 54 East
14.1 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

62.5 mi · 01h 07m

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
05h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.3 mi
186.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Princeton
02h 34m from La Crosse
Leave By
6:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving La Crosse and Slight Chance Light Snow near Lincoln.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 234.1 miles (376.7 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?

Princeton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.9 miles from La Crosse and 117.3 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 186.8 miles (300.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.3 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 6:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.15 one way or $62.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around La Crosse and Slight Chance Light Snow near Lincoln.

Stop Ideas Near Princeton

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

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

BUS

Westfield, WI

29 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Waupun, WI

40 mi away
928 East Main Street
RAIL

Portage

44 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

50 mi away
525 West 20th Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 186.87 mi (300.74 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Lincoln

Town in Vilas County, Wisconin, United States

Population1,521
Coordinates44.6180500, -87.6420400
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Lincoln (-87.64204, 44.61805)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 377 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.26 gal
31.27 L · about $31.15
Round trip
$62.30
16.52 gal · 62.54 L
Estimated CO2
73.4 kg one way
Round trip: 146.8 kg / 324 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.15 $62.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.13 $70.26
Premium $4.65 $38.44 $76.88
Diesel $5.30 $43.81 $87.62

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 Lincoln. The current time is 03:45:52.

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.