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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Rubicon, WI is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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
169.8 mi
03h 37m
Flight
142.85 mi
229.9 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
142.85 mi
Kilometers
229.9 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.8 mi
Kilometers
273.27 km
Drive Time
03h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rubicon
Thu, Apr 23, 5:22 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 9:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T01:45
Arrive Rubicon
Thu, Apr 23, 5:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 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
9:46 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
Wisconsin Dells
WI

City in Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
84.8 mi
01h 48m
To Rubicon
85.1 mi
01h 48m

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
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Turn right onto West Wisconsin Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · West Wisconsin Street

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16

    2.8 mi · 5 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 16

    22.6 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16

  14. 14

    Continue on James Street

    1.8 mi · 5 min · James Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Manning Street

    2147 ft · 58 sec · Manning Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Highway 16 & 60

    13.7 mi · 19 min · Highway 16 & 60

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 60

    14.9 mi · 22 min · State Highway 60

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward County Road P

    70 m · 4 sec · County Road P

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto County Road P

    1 mi · 2 min · County Road P

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Rome Road

    81 m · 17 sec · Rome Road

  21. 21

    Turn left

    31 m · 8 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
105 mi · 62%
State Highway 16
22.6 mi · 13%
State Highway 60
14.9 mi · 9%
Highway 16 & 60
13.7 mi · 8%
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.78 mi · 2%
James Street
1.76 mi · 1%
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 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 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.9 mi
142.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 48m from La Crosse
Leave By
9:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Rubicon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?

Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.8 miles from La Crosse and 85.1 miles from Rubicon.

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

The direct path is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 9:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.59 one way or $45.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Rubicon.

Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

26 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

37 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

68 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Rubicon. Straight-line distance: 142.85 mi (229.9 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Rubicon

Town in Dodge County, Wisconsin

Population2,198
Coordinates43.3402800, -88.4576000
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Rubicon (-88.4576, 43.34028)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.99 gal
22.68 L · about $22.59
Round trip
$45.18
11.98 gal · 45.36 L
Estimated CO2
53.2 kg one way
Round trip: 106.5 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.59 $45.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.48 $50.95
Premium $4.65 $27.88 $55.75
Diesel $5.30 $31.77 $63.54

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 Rubicon. The current time is 01:45:47.

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.