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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Townsend, WI is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 167.8 miles (270 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 31m 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
223.26 mi
05h 15m
Flight
167.75 mi
269.96 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
167.75 mi
Kilometers
269.96 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
223.26 mi
Kilometers
359.3 km
Drive Time
05h 15m

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 05h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Townsend
Sat, Apr 18, 4:19 PM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sat, Apr 18, 9:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-18T11:03
Arrive Townsend
Sat, Apr 18, 4:19 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:16 AM to 1:16 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:28 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
Junction City
WI

Village in Portage County Wisconsin

From La Crosse
111.5 mi
02h 37m
To Townsend
111.8 mi
02h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    38.6 mi · 41 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

    1385 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East McCoy Boulevard

    1738 ft · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 21

    4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 173

    23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 173

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 80

    125 m · 9 sec · State Highway 80

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 173

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

  17. 17

    Continue on County Highway G

    2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 54

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

  19. 19

    Continue on Letendre Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Wisconsin River Drive

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

  21. 21

    Continue on 2nd Avenue South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 2nd Avenue South

    20 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South

    2782 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

  24. 24

    Turn left onto West Riverview Expressway

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Riverview Expressway

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    14.3 mi · 21 min

  26. 26

    Take the ramp right

    1753 ft · 43 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 10

    3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point

    1508 ft · 37 sec

  29. 29

    Turn left onto State Highway 134

    789 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 134

  30. 30

    Continue on WI 34

    1199 ft · 23 sec · WI 34

  31. 31

    Continue on State Highway 34

    9.5 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

  32. 32

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 34

    40 m · 2 sec · State Highway 34

  33. 33

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 34

    1834 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 34

  34. 34

    Take the ramp left

    1704 ft · 42 sec

  35. 35

    Merge slight left

    11.4 mi · 12 min

  36. 36

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay

    1.5 km · 1 min

  37. 37

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  38. 38

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH X: Weston, Camp Phillips Road

    1378 ft · 34 sec

  39. 39

    Keep slight left

    54 m · 6 sec

  40. 40

    Turn left onto Camp Phillips Road

    3.6 mi · 7 min · Camp Phillips Road

  41. 41

    Continue on County Road X

    2.9 mi · 5 min · County Road X

  42. 42

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 52

    20.9 mi · 29 min · State Highway 52

  43. 43

    At the end of the road, turn left

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  44. 44

    Continue on South Superior Street

    5.7 mi · 10 min · South Superior Street

  45. 45

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · 5th Avenue

  46. 46

    Continue on Langlade Road

    2 mi · 5 min · Langlade Road

  47. 47

    Turn right onto State Highway 64

    31 mi · 46 min · State Highway 64

  48. 48

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 32

    11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 32

  49. 49

    Turn left onto Elm Street

    23 m · 3 sec · Elm Street

  50. 50

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Elm Street

Car Route Details

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

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
50 steps
22 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
17
5 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
44 mi · 20%
State Highway 173
34 mi · 15%
State Highway 64
31 mi · 14%
State Highway 34
21.6 mi · 10%
State Highway 52
20.9 mi · 9%
West Riverview Expressway
15.5 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

38.6 mi · 00h 41m

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
05h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.5 mi
167.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Junction City
02h 37m from La Crosse
Leave By
6:28 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving La Crosse and Chance Snow Showers near Townsend.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km) and usually takes 05h 15m 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?

Junction City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.5 miles from La Crosse and 111.8 miles from Townsend.

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

The direct path is about 167.8 miles (270 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:28 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.72 one way or $59.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers around La Crosse and Chance Snow Showers near Townsend.

Stop Ideas Near Junction City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Junction City, 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 Junction City.

BUS

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

17 mi away
200 Division St.
BUS

Stevens Point, WI

17 mi away
2050 4th Avenue
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

23 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
BUS

Wausau, Wisconsin

42 mi away
2415 Trailwood Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Townsend. Straight-line distance: 167.75 mi (269.96 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Townsend

Town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,005
Coordinates45.3280200, -88.5895500
Altitude413
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Townsend (-88.58955, 45.32802)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 359 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.88 gal
29.82 L · about $29.72
Round trip
$59.43
15.76 gal · 59.64 L
Estimated CO2
70 kg one way
Round trip: 140.1 kg / 309 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.72 $59.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.51 $67.03
Premium $4.65 $36.67 $73.35
Diesel $5.30 $41.80 $83.59

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Townsend. The current time is 11:03:17.

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.