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

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Waterford, WI is about 208.3 miles (335.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.2 miles (270.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 14m 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
208.3 mi
04h 07m
Flight
168.22 mi
270.72 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
168.22 mi
Kilometers
270.72 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.3 mi
Kilometers
335.23 km
Drive Time
04h 07m

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 04h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterford
Sun, Apr 19, 1:11 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 5:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-18T21:04
Arrive Waterford
Sun, Apr 19, 1:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 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
8:46 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
Lewiston
WI

Town in Wisconsin, USA

From La Crosse
104 mi
02h 03m
To Waterford
104.3 mi
02h 03m

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
60°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    131 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    45.5 mi · 49 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH C: Delafield

    1490 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto County Highway C

    2.7 mi · 5 min · County Highway C

  11. 11

    Turn left onto US Highway 18

    1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 18

  12. 12

    Continue on West Summit Avenue

    122 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Summit Avenue

    23 m · 4 sec · West Summit Avenue

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue

    160 m · 13 sec · West Summit Avenue

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Wales Road

    9 m · 2 sec · North Wales Road

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto North Wales Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Wales Road

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 83

    1573 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 83

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    36 m · 7 sec · State Highway 83

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    2.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 83

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    43 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 83

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    21 m · 4 sec · State Highway 83

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    1.3 km · 1 min · State Highway 83

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    34 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    3.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 83

  26. 26

    Continue on North Rochester Street

    3 mi · 6 min · North Rochester Street

  27. 27

    Continue on State Highway 83

    1511 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 83

  28. 28

    Continue on Northwest Highway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Northwest Highway

  29. 29

    Continue on High Drive

    1895 ft · 42 sec · High Drive

  30. 30

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto South River Street

    16 m · 2 sec · South River Street

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South River Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
32 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
1 merges, 14 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
136 mi · 65%
I 94
45.5 mi · 22%
State Highway 83
9.05 mi · 4%
Northwest Highway
5.92 mi · 3%
North Rochester Street
3.05 mi · 1%
County Highway C
2.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

131 mi · 02h 20m

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
04h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.1 mi
168.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lewiston
02h 03m from La Crosse
Leave By
8:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 208.3 miles (335.2 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?

Lewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from La Crosse and 104.3 miles from Waterford.

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

The direct path is about 168.2 miles (270.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.1 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 8:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.72 one way or $55.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 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 Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterford.

Stop Ideas Near Lewiston

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

12 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

14 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

36 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

57 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 168.22 mi (270.72 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Waterford

Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Population6,497
Coordinates42.7630700, -88.2142600
Altitude236
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: Waterford (-88.21426, 42.76307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 335 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.35 gal
27.82 L · about $27.72
Round trip
$55.43
14.7 gal · 55.64 L
Estimated CO2
65.3 kg one way
Round trip: 130.6 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.72 $55.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.26 $62.52
Premium $4.65 $34.21 $68.41
Diesel $5.30 $38.98 $77.97

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between La Crosse and Waterford. The current time is 21:04:35.

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.