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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Medford, WI is about 129 miles (207.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 102.5 miles (164.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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
128.98 mi
03h 27m
Flight
102.48 mi
164.93 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
102.48 mi
Kilometers
164.93 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.98 mi
Kilometers
207.57 km
Drive Time
03h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Medford
Sat, Apr 18, 7:48 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sat, Apr 18, 11:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-18T04:21
Arrive Medford
Sat, Apr 18, 7:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 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
10:04 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
Neillsville
WI

City in Clark County in the U.

From La Crosse
64.4 mi
01h 43m
To Medford
64.5 mi
01h 43m

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
41°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11 mi · 18 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto State Highway 108

    11.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 108

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 108

    5.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 108

  8. 8

    Continue on Sparta Street

    1842 ft · 31 sec · Sparta Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Washington Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · North Washington Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 54

    14.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 54

  11. 11

    Continue on Melrose Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Melrose Street

  12. 12

    Continue on South 10th Street

    643 ft · 13 sec · South 10th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Main Street

    3256 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Water Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Water Street

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 12

    2.6 mi · 4 min · US Highway 12

  16. 16

    Turn right onto County Highway E

    7.8 mi · 14 min · County Highway E

  17. 17

    Turn left onto County Highway K

    2911 ft · 1 min · County Highway K

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road J

    3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road J

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 95

    8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 95

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 73

    3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Division Street

    158 m · 22 sec · West Division Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Hewett Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Hewett Street

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on Black River Road

    3212 ft · 1 min · Black River Road

  24. 24

    Continue on State Highway 73

    12.9 mi · 23 min · State Highway 73

  25. 25

    Continue on South Main Street

    2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 73

    11 mi · 19 min · State Highway 73

  27. 27

    Take the ramp right

    1469 ft · 40 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 29

    12.2 mi · 14 min · State Highway 29

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue

    2019 ft · 56 sec

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Hiline Avenue

    1447 ft · 35 sec · Hiline Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on West Spruce Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Spruce Street

  32. 32

    Turn left onto North 4th Street

    3180 ft · 2 min · North 4th Street

  33. 33

    Continue on State Highway 13

    11.8 mi · 17 min · State Highway 13

  34. 34

    Continue on South 8th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South 8th Street

  35. 35

    Turn left onto South Street

    1387 ft · 1 min · South Street

  36. 36

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    963 ft · 42 sec · South 4th Street

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
37 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 73
27.2 mi · 21%
State Highway 108
16.6 mi · 13%
State Highway 54
14.2 mi · 11%
State Highway 29
12.2 mi · 9%
State Highway 13
11.8 mi · 9%
Losey Boulevard North
11.5 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 54

Continue on State Highway 54

14.2 mi · 00h 21m

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 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.5 mi
102.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Neillsville
01h 43m from La Crosse
Leave By
10:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 129 miles (207.6 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?

Neillsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.4 miles from La Crosse and 64.5 miles from Medford.

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

The direct path is about 102.5 miles (164.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 10:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 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 Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Medford.

Stop Ideas Near Neillsville

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

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

BUS

Abbotsford-Colby, WI

47 mi away
1210 North Division St.
BUS

Stanley, WI

51 mi away
604 South Broadway Street
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

61 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
RAIL

Tomah

64 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Medford. Straight-line distance: 102.48 mi (164.93 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Medford

Civil town in Taylor County, Wisconsin

Population2,562
Coordinates45.1385800, -90.3401400
Altitude448
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Medford (-90.34014, 45.13858)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.55 gal
17.23 L · about $17.16
Round trip
$34.32
9.1 gal · 34.46 L
Estimated CO2
40.4 kg one way
Round trip: 80.9 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.16 $34.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.35 $38.70
Premium $4.65 $21.18 $42.35
Diesel $5.30 $24.13 $48.27

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Medford. The current time is 04:21:19.

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.