How far is La Crosse, WI from Wausau, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Wausau, WI is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Wausau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Wausau.
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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
4.5 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2171 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left
38.6 mi · 41 min
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
1.3 km · 55 sec
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9
Merge slight right
2.9 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
1385 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn right onto East McCoy Boulevard
1738 ft · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard
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12
Continue on State Highway 21
4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 173
23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 173
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173
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15
Continue on State Highway 80
125 m · 9 sec · State Highway 80
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16
Turn right onto State Highway 173
9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173
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17
Continue on County Highway G
2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 54
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54
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19
Continue on Letendre Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Wisconsin River Drive
1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive
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21
Continue on 2nd Avenue South
1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 2nd Avenue South
20 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South
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23
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South
2782 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
-
24
Turn left onto West Riverview Expressway
1.3 km · 2 min · West Riverview Expressway
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25
Continue straight
14.3 mi · 21 min
-
26
Take the ramp right
1753 ft · 43 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto US Highway 10
3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward WI 34, CTH P, CTH HH: Knowlton, Stevens Point
1508 ft · 37 sec
-
29
Turn left onto State Highway 134
789 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 134
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30
Continue on WI 34
1199 ft · 23 sec · WI 34
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31
Continue on State Highway 34
9.5 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 34
40 m · 2 sec · State Highway 34
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33
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 34
1834 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 34
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34
Take the ramp left
1704 ft · 42 sec
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35
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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36
Merge slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
-
37
Take the exit slight right toward WI 52: Stewart Avenue
2706 ft · 1 min
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38
Keep slight right
93 m · 8 sec
-
39
Turn straight onto Highway 52 Parkway
1568 ft · 45 sec · Highway 52 Parkway
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40
Continue on Stewart Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Stewart Avenue
-
41
Continue on Slough Bridge
1599 ft · 55 sec · Slough Bridge
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42
Keep slight left to continue on Slough Bridge
51 m · 14 sec · Slough Bridge
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43
Turn left onto North 1st Street
92 m · 12 sec · North 1st Street
-
44
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
49 m · 9 sec · Jefferson Street
-
45
Turn right
22 m · 11 sec
-
46
Turn left
18 m · 6 sec
-
47
Turn right
68 m · 18 sec
-
48
At the end of the road, turn right onto Washington Street
50 m · 7 sec · Washington Street
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Wausau.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving La Crosse and Rain Showers Likely near Wausau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Wausau?
The road trip is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Finley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.6 miles from La Crosse and 72.8 miles from Wausau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 10:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.35 one way or $38.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around La Crosse and Rain Showers Likely near Wausau.
Stop Ideas Near Finley
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 Finley.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Tomah
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Wausau. Straight-line distance: 112.76 mi (181.47 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 Wausau
City in and county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin
| Population | 2,157 |
| Coordinates | 44.9591400, -89.6301200 |
| Altitude | 367 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wausau (-89.63012, 44.95914)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.35 | $38.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.82 | $43.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.88 | $47.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.21 | $54.42 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.