How far is La Crosse, WI from Sauk City, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Sauk City, WI is about 115.9 miles (186.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.4 miles (135.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m 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
115.94 mi
02h 18m
Flight
84.39 mi
135.81 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
84.39 mi
Kilometers
135.81 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
115.94 mi
Kilometers
186.59 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sauk City
Fri, Apr 17, 9:12 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Fri, Apr 17, 11:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-17T06:54
Arrive Sauk City
Fri, Apr 17, 9:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:54 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
57.9 mi
01h 09m
To Sauk City
58 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S
Destination
77°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Sauk City.

  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

    85.7 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton

    1229 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    1194 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    21.8 mi · 28 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Phillips Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Phillips Boulevard

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Water Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
91.1 mi · 79%
US 12
22.3 mi · 19%
Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
Phillips Boulevard
0.88 mi · 1%
West Avenue South
0.71 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

85.7 mi · 01h 32m

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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
84.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camp Douglas
01h 09m from La Crosse
Leave By
1:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sauk City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Sauk City?

The road trip is about 115.9 miles (186.6 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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 57.9 miles from La Crosse and 58 miles from Sauk City.

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

The direct path is about 84.4 miles (135.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 1:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.42 one way or $30.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sauk City.

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 Sauk City. Straight-line distance: 84.39 mi (135.81 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Sauk City

#2 Sauk City

Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,498
Coordinates43.2708200, -89.7220700
Altitude226
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Sauk City (-89.72207, 43.27082)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 187 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.09 gal
15.49 L · about $15.42
Round trip
$30.85
8.18 gal · 30.98 L
Estimated CO2
36.3 kg one way
Round trip: 72.7 kg / 160 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.42 $30.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.39 $34.79
Premium $4.65 $19.03 $38.07
Diesel $5.30 $21.69 $43.39

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Sauk City. The current time is 06:54:17.

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.