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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Portage, WI is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 90.7 miles (145.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
110.88 mi
02h 08m
Flight
90.63 mi
145.86 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
90.63 mi
Kilometers
145.86 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
110.88 mi
Kilometers
178.45 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Portage
Sun, Apr 19, 3:48 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 5:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-19T01:40
Arrive Portage
Sun, Apr 19, 3:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in La Crosse
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Camp Douglas
WI

Village in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
55.4 mi
01h 04m
To Portage
55.6 mi
01h 04m

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
49°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

    926 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    53 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    4 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Cook Street

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
105 mi · 95%
Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
West Avenue South
0.71 mi · 1%
WI 33
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

99.6 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
90.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camp Douglas
01h 04m from La Crosse
Leave By
2:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Portage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km) and usually takes 02h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Camp Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.4 miles from La Crosse and 55.6 miles from Portage.

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

The direct path is about 90.7 miles (145.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.74 one way or $29.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Portage.

Stop Ideas Near Camp Douglas

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

20 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

52 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

62 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
BUS

Westfield, WI

63 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Portage. Straight-line distance: 90.63 mi (145.86 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Portage

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Population10,381
Coordinates43.5391500, -89.4626200
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Portage (-89.46262, 43.53915)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 178 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.91 gal
14.81 L · about $14.74
Round trip
$29.49
7.82 gal · 29.62 L
Estimated CO2
34.7 kg one way
Round trip: 69.5 kg / 153 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.74 $29.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.63 $33.26
Premium $4.65 $18.20 $36.39
Diesel $5.30 $20.74 $41.48

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 Portage. The current time is 01:40:46.

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.