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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Seneca, WI is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.6 miles (63.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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
49.18 mi
01h 12m
Flight
39.64 mi
63.8 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
39.64 mi
Kilometers
63.8 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.18 mi
Kilometers
79.15 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 01h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seneca
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 2:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-22T23:56
Arrive Seneca
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:06 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
De Soto
WI

Village in Vernon and Crawford Counties, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
24.6 mi
00h 36m
To Seneca
24.6 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 10:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Avenue South

    12 m · 9 sec · West Avenue South

  2. 2

    Continue on West Avenue South

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Avenue South

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Avenue

    68 m · 7 sec · South Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    2829 ft · 1 min · South Avenue

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Avenue

    39 m · 4 sec · South Avenue

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto South Avenue

    928 ft · 26 sec · South Avenue

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mormon Coulee Road

    41 m · 4 sec · Mormon Coulee Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Mormon Coulee Road

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Mormon Coulee Road

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Great River Road

    26 m · 2 sec · Great River Road

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Great River Road

    1355 ft · 29 sec · Great River Road

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Great River Road

    38 m · 3 sec · Great River Road

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Great River Road

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Great River Road

  13. 13

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Great River Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Great River Road

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 35

    6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 35

  16. 16

    Continue on Great River Road

    14 mi · 19 min · Great River Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Great River Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Great River Road

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 35

    4.9 mi · 7 min · State Highway 35

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Spring Street

    1851 ft · 51 sec · Spring Street

  21. 21

    Continue on County Road E

    4.7 mi · 7 min · County Road E

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 27

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 27

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Highway 27

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
23 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
0 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Great River Road
26.1 mi · 53%
State Highway 35
11.1 mi · 23%
County Road E
4.7 mi · 10%
Mormon Coulee Road
2.62 mi · 5%
State Highway 27
1.05 mi · 2%
Main Street
0.9 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Great River Road

Continue on Great River Road

14 mi · 00h 19m

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
01h 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
39.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
De Soto
00h 36m from La Crosse
Leave By
4:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving La Crosse and Sunny near Seneca.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 49.2 miles (79.2 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

De Soto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.6 miles from La Crosse and 24.6 miles from Seneca.

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

The direct path is about 39.6 miles (63.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.56 one way or $13.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near De Soto

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

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

RAIL

La Crosse

46 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Winona station

78 mi away
65 East Mark Street
RAIL

Tomah

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

Wisconsin Dells

117 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Seneca. Straight-line distance: 39.64 mi (63.8 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Seneca

Town in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,051
Coordinates43.2649800, -90.9584600
Altitude382
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Seneca (-90.95846, 43.26498)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 79 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.74 gal
6.57 L · about $6.56
Round trip
$13.12
3.48 gal · 13.14 L
Estimated CO2
15.5 kg one way
Round trip: 30.9 kg / 68 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.56 $13.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.40 $14.80
Premium $4.65 $8.10 $16.20
Diesel $5.30 $9.23 $18.46

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 Seneca. The current time is 23:56:36.

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.