How far is La Crosse, WI from Racine, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Racine, WI is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Racine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Racine.
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1
Start on West Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · West Avenue South
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2
Turn right
107 m · 12 sec
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3
Turn straight onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
2555 ft · 1 min · Losey Boulevard North
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5
Continue straight
4.5 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2171 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left
131 mi · 2 hr 20 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1991 ft · 38 sec
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11
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1477 ft · 30 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
1177 ft · 29 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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14
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
1.3 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
11.9 mi · 14 min · North-South Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
1682 ft · 31 sec
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18
Turn left onto Northwestern Avenue
5.1 mi · 10 min · Northwestern Avenue
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Northwestern Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · Northwestern Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwestern Avenue
28 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
2024 ft · 35 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Street
22 m · 4 sec · State Street
-
24
Exit the roundabout onto State Street
1.6 km · 2 min · State Street
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25
Turn right onto Main Street
1759 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
-
26
Turn right onto 6th Street
94 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
-
27
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
87 m · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
-
28
Turn left onto 7th Street
75 m · 8 sec · 7th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Racine.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Losey Boulevard North
Merge slight left
131 mi · 02h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny near Racine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Racine?
The road trip is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Poynette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.8 miles from La Crosse and 118.5 miles from Racine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.1 miles (304.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.45 one way or $62.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.1 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 near Racine.
Stop Ideas Near Poynette
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Poynette.
Portage
Columbus
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Racine. Straight-line distance: 189.11 mi (304.34 km).
#1 La Crosse
The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 51,163 |
| Coordinates | 43.8013600, -91.2395800 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Racine
The second most populous city in Racine County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 76,237 |
| Coordinates | 42.7261300, -87.7828500 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street (-87.782849, 42.725989)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.47 | $70.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.81 | $77.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.24 | $88.47 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.