How far is La Crosse, WI from Tainter Lake, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Tainter Lake, WI is about 114 miles (183.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 39m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Unincorporated community in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Tainter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Tainter Lake.
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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
3.3 mi · 6 min
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6
Turn slight left
698 ft · 15 sec
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7
Turn left
12.7 mi · 16 min
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8
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 15 min
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9
Continue on State Highway 93
21.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 93
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10
Continue on Diagonal Street
720 ft · 19 sec · Diagonal Street
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11
Continue on Burrows Road
1754 ft · 60 sec · Burrows Road
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12
Continue on Washington Street
1211 ft · 41 sec · Washington Street
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13
Continue on Osseo Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Osseo Road
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14
Continue on State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93 / 121
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15
Continue on Main Street South
1789 ft · 53 sec · Main Street South
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16
Turn straight onto Lake Park Drive
1683 ft · 44 sec · Lake Park Drive
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17
Continue on State Highway 93
13.5 mi · 19 min · State Highway 93
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18
Turn left onto I 94
1973 ft · 50 sec
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19
Merge slight left
22.4 mi · 24 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CTH B: Menomonie
1536 ft · 38 sec
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21
Keep slight right
42 m · 4 sec
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22
Turn right
3.6 mi · 5 min
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23
Continue on County Road BB
1 mi · 2 min · County Road BB
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road G
1.3 km · 1 min · County Road G
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road D
3 mi · 5 min · County Road D
-
26
Turn right onto 622nd Street
1464 ft · 1 min · 622nd Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 848th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Tainter Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94
Merge slight left
22.4 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Tainter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Tainter Lake?
The road trip is about 114 miles (183.5 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Russell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57 miles from La Crosse and 57 miles from Tainter Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 1:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.16 one way or $30.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.7 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 Tainter Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Russell
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 Russell.
Eau Claire, WI
Winona station
Eau Claire, WI
Chippewa Falls, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Tainter Lake. Straight-line distance: 87.38 mi (140.63 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 Tainter Lake
Census designated place
| Population | 2,242 |
| Coordinates | 44.9891300, -91.8476700 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tainter Lake (-91.84767, 44.98913)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 184 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.16 | $30.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.10 | $34.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.71 | $37.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.32 | $42.64 |
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.