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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Pine Lake, WI is about 252.5 miles (406.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177.9 miles (286.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m 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
252.52 mi
05h 40m
Flight
177.89 mi
286.28 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
177.89 mi
Kilometers
286.28 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
252.52 mi
Kilometers
406.39 km
Drive Time
05h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pine Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 1:09 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 6:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T07:29
Arrive Pine Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 1:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:40 AM to 1:40 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
5:40 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Knowlton
WI

Civil town in Marathon County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
126.1 mi
02h 50m
To Pine Lake
126.4 mi
02h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    38.6 mi · 41 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

    1385 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East McCoy Boulevard

    1738 ft · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 21

    4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 173

    23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 173

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 80

    125 m · 9 sec · State Highway 80

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 173

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

  17. 17

    Continue on County Highway G

    2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 54

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

  19. 19

    Continue on Letendre Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Wisconsin River Drive

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

  21. 21

    Continue on 2nd Avenue South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 2nd Avenue South

    20 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South

    2782 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

  24. 24

    Turn left onto West Riverview Expressway

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Riverview Expressway

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    14.3 mi · 21 min

  26. 26

    Take the ramp right

    1753 ft · 43 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 10

    3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point

    1508 ft · 37 sec

  29. 29

    Turn left onto State Highway 134

    789 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 134

  30. 30

    Continue on WI 34

    1199 ft · 23 sec · WI 34

  31. 31

    Continue on State Highway 34

    9.5 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

  32. 32

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 34

    40 m · 2 sec · State Highway 34

  33. 33

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 34

    1834 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 34

  34. 34

    Take the ramp left

    1704 ft · 42 sec

  35. 35

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 13 min

  36. 36

    Merge slight right

    47.8 mi · 55 min

  37. 37

    Keep slight left

    23.1 mi · 33 min

  38. 38

    Turn slight right onto Chippewa Street

    41.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Chippewa Street

  39. 39

    Turn sharp right onto South End Road

    1069 ft · 51 sec · South End Road

  40. 40

    Turn left onto Finn Point Road

    1176 ft · 52 sec · Finn Point Road

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Finn Point Road

Car Route Details

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

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
41 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
5 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 34
93.4 mi · 37%
Losey Boulevard North
44 mi · 17%
Chippewa Street
41.9 mi · 17%
State Highway 173
34 mi · 13%
West Riverview Expressway
15.5 mi · 6%
State Highway 21
3.97 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 34

Merge slight right

47.8 mi · 00h 56m

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 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+74.6 mi
177.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knowlton
02h 50m from La Crosse
Leave By
5:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain near Pine Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 252.5 miles (406.4 km) and usually takes 05h 40m 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?

Knowlton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.1 miles from La Crosse and 126.4 miles from Pine Lake.

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

The direct path is about 177.9 miles (286.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 74.6 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 5:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.60 one way or $67.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain near Pine Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Knowlton

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

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

BUS

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

22 mi away
200 Division St.
BUS

Stevens Point, WI

23 mi away
2050 4th Avenue
BUS

Wausau, WI

27 mi away
555 Jefferson Street
BUS

Wausau, Wisconsin

28 mi away
2415 Trailwood Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Pine Lake. Straight-line distance: 177.89 mi (286.28 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Pine Lake

Unincorporated community in Iron County, Wisconsin

Population2,746
Coordinates46.2560600, -90.1407300
Altitude495
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Pine Lake (-90.14073, 46.25606)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 406 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.91 gal
33.73 L · about $33.60
Round trip
$67.20
17.82 gal · 67.46 L
Estimated CO2
79.2 kg one way
Round trip: 158.4 kg / 349 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.60 $67.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.89 $75.79
Premium $4.65 $41.47 $82.93
Diesel $5.30 $47.26 $94.52

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Pine Lake. The current time is 07:29:19.

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.