How far is La Crosse, WI from West Bend, WI?

The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to West Bend, WI is about 185.5 miles (298.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 51m 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
185.45 mi
03h 55m
Flight
155.06 mi
249.55 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
155.06 mi
Kilometers
249.55 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.45 mi
Kilometers
298.46 km
Drive Time
03h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Bend
Thu, Apr 23, 6:33 AM CDT
Return by in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 10:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave La Crosse
2026-04-23T02:38
Arrive West Bend
Thu, Apr 23, 6:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:08 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
Lake Delton
WI

Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

From La Crosse
92.6 mi
01h 57m
To West Bend
92.9 mi
01h 57m

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
76°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and West Bend.

  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

    99.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

    926 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    53 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    4 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Wisconsin Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · West Wisconsin Street

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16

    2.8 mi · 5 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 16

    22.6 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16

  14. 14

    Continue on James Street

    2029 ft · 53 sec · James Street

  15. 15

    Turn left

    2199 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    13.4 mi · 15 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    69 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Park Avenue

    1821 ft · 31 sec · Park Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 33

    8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 33

  21. 21

    Continue on Washington Street

    1 km · 1 min · Washington Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1568 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Continue on Barstow Street

    1406 ft · 24 sec · Barstow Street

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Vine Street

    791 ft · 17 sec · Vine Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Lake Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Lake Street

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 33

    8.4 mi · 13 min · State Highway 33

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 33

    46 m · 3 sec · State Highway 33

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 33

    4.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33

  29. 29

    Continue on Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  30. 30

    Continue on State Highway 33

    5.1 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33

  31. 31

    Continue on West Washington Street

    2.6 mi · 6 min · West Washington Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

    81 m · 14 sec · North 7th Avenue

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    73 m · 11 sec · Cedar Street

  34. 34

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    100 m · 19 sec · North Main Street

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
35 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Losey Boulevard North
105 mi · 57%
State Highway 33
26.3 mi · 14%
State Highway 16
22.6 mi · 12%
James Street
13.8 mi · 7%
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.78 mi · 1%
West Washington Street
2.56 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Losey Boulevard North

Merge slight left

99.6 mi · 01h 47m

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
03h 55m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
155.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Delton
01h 57m from La Crosse
Leave By
9:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to West Bend?

The road trip is about 185.5 miles (298.5 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?

Lake Delton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.6 miles from La Crosse and 92.9 miles from West Bend.

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

The direct path is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 9:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.66 one way or $49.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 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 near West Bend.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

3 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

27 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

40 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

67 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and West Bend. Straight-line distance: 155.06 mi (249.55 km).

La Crosse

#1 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
West Bend

#2 West Bend

City in Washington County, Wisconsin

Population4,715
Coordinates43.4252800, -88.1834300
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Start: La Crosse (-91.23958, 43.80136)
End: West Bend (-88.18343, 43.42528)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.54 gal
24.77 L · about $24.66
Round trip
$49.32
13.08 gal · 49.54 L
Estimated CO2
58.1 kg one way
Round trip: 116.2 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.66 $49.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.81 $55.63
Premium $4.65 $30.44 $60.87
Diesel $5.30 $34.69 $69.38

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 West Bend. The current time is 02:38:04.

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.