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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Pensaukee, WI is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 179 miles (288 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 46m 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
229.58 mi
04h 53m
Flight
178.95 mi
287.99 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
178.95 mi
Kilometers
287.99 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
229.58 mi
Kilometers
369.47 km
Drive Time
04h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pensaukee
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 1:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-19T03:59
Arrive Pensaukee
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 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
7:14 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
Mecan
WI

Human settlement in Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States of America

From La Crosse
114.6 mi
02h 26m
To Pensaukee
115 mi
02h 26m

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
44°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Light Snow

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    70.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  34. 34

    Keep slight right to continue on US 41, LMCT: Oconto, Marinette

    5.6 mi · 6 min

  35. 35

    Turn right onto County Highway SS

    1.6 mi · 4 min · County Highway SS

  36. 36

    Continue on County Highway S

    13 m · 1 sec · County Highway S

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Highway S

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
37 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Appleton
70.4 mi · 31%
Losey Boulevard North
68 mi · 30%
State Highway 82
28.3 mi · 12%
State Highway 23
16 mi · 7%
State Highway 44
14.8 mi · 6%
State Highway 23 & 73
9.52 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Appleton

Merge slight left onto Appleton

70.4 mi · 01h 16m

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 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.6 mi
179 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mecan
02h 26m from La Crosse
Leave By
7:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km) and usually takes 04h 53m 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?

Mecan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.6 miles from La Crosse and 115 miles from Pensaukee.

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

The direct path is about 179 miles (288 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.6 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 7:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.55 one way or $61.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Mecan

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

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

BUS

Westfield, WI

24 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Portage

34 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Waupun, WI

44 mi away
928 East Main Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

49 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Pensaukee. Straight-line distance: 178.95 mi (287.99 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Pensaukee

Civil town in Oconto County, Wisconsin

Population1,423
Coordinates44.8230500, -87.9131600
Altitude178
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Pensaukee (-87.91316, 44.82305)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 369 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.1 gal
30.67 L · about $30.55
Round trip
$61.09
16.2 gal · 61.34 L
Estimated CO2
72 kg one way
Round trip: 144 kg / 317 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.55 $61.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.45 $68.90
Premium $4.65 $37.70 $75.39
Diesel $5.30 $42.96 $85.92

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 Pensaukee. The current time is 03:59:16.

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.