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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Spencer, WI is about 101.8 miles (163.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 80.9 miles (130.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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
101.77 mi
02h 49m
Flight
80.88 mi
130.16 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
80.88 mi
Kilometers
130.16 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.77 mi
Kilometers
163.79 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Spencer
Thu, Apr 23, 6:45 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 9:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T03:55
Arrive Spencer
Thu, Apr 23, 6:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 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
Black River Falls
WI

City in and county seat of Jackson County, Wisconsin

From La Crosse
50.8 mi
01h 24m
To Spencer
51 mi
01h 24m

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
73°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11 mi · 18 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto State Highway 108

    11.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 108

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 108

    5.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 108

  8. 8

    Continue on Sparta Street

    1842 ft · 31 sec · Sparta Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Washington Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · North Washington Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 54

    14.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 54

  11. 11

    Continue on Melrose Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Melrose Street

  12. 12

    Continue on South 10th Street

    643 ft · 13 sec · South 10th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Main Street

    3256 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Water Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Water Street

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 12

    2.6 mi · 4 min · US Highway 12

  16. 16

    Turn right onto County Highway E

    7.8 mi · 14 min · County Highway E

  17. 17

    Turn left onto County Highway K

    2911 ft · 1 min · County Highway K

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road J

    3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road J

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 95

    8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 95

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 73

    3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Division Street

    2 mi · 4 min · West Division Street

  22. 22

    Continue on US Highway 10

    15.2 mi · 21 min · US Highway 10

  23. 23

    Turn left onto County Highway V

    6 mi · 14 min · County Highway V

  24. 24

    Continue on County Road V

    4.1 mi · 10 min · County Road V

  25. 25

    Continue on South Lasalle Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · South Lasalle Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto East Clark Street

    152 m · 15 sec · East Clark Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto North Wisconsin Street

    92 m · 15 sec · North Wisconsin Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    88 m · 15 sec · East Main Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto North Pacific Street

    66 m · 7 sec · North Pacific Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Pacific Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 108
16.6 mi · 16%
US Highway 10
15.2 mi · 15%
State Highway 54
14.2 mi · 14%
Losey Boulevard North
11.5 mi · 11%
State Highway 95
8.64 mi · 8%
County Highway E
7.85 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 10

Continue on US Highway 10

15.2 mi · 00h 21m

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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
80.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Black River Falls
01h 24m from La Crosse
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 101.8 miles (163.8 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Black River Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from La Crosse and 51 miles from Spencer.

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

The direct path is about 80.9 miles (130.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.54 one way or $27.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.9 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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Spencer.

Stop Ideas Near Black River Falls

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Black River Falls, 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 Black River Falls.

RAIL

Tomah

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

La Crosse

60 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
RAIL

Winona station

69 mi away
65 East Mark Street
BUS

Stanley, WI

73 mi away
604 South Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Spencer. Straight-line distance: 80.88 mi (130.16 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Spencer

Village in Marathon County, Wisconsin

Population1,675
Coordinates44.7577400, -90.2968000
Altitude399
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Spencer (-90.2968, 44.75774)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 164 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.59 gal
13.59 L · about $13.54
Round trip
$27.08
7.18 gal · 27.18 L
Estimated CO2
31.9 kg one way
Round trip: 63.8 kg / 141 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.54 $27.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.27 $30.54
Premium $4.65 $16.71 $33.42
Diesel $5.30 $19.04 $38.08

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 Spencer. The current time is 03:55:58.

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.