How far is La Crosse, WI from Whitewater, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Whitewater, WI is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 11m 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 35m.
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.
Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Whitewater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Whitewater.
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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
131 mi · 2 hr 20 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 39, I 90: Chicago
22.1 mi · 24 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton
1776 ft · 44 sec
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10
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 5 min
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11
Turn left onto Jenson Street
101 m · 17 sec · Jenson Street
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12
Turn right onto York Road
2500 ft · 2 min · York Road
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13
Turn left onto East Fulton Street
2742 ft · 1 min · East Fulton Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 59
1.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 59
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 59
42 m · 3 sec · State Highway 59
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16
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 59
662 ft · 13 sec · State Highway 59
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 59
35 m · 2 sec · State Highway 59
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18
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 59
129 m · 9 sec · State Highway 59
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 59
33 m · 2 sec · State Highway 59
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20
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 59
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 59
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21
Turn left onto County Highway N
10.6 mi · 15 min · County Highway N
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22
Continue on East County Road N
1180 ft · 22 sec · East County Road N
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23
Continue on East County Road N
639 ft · 20 sec · East County Road N
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24
Continue on West Walworth Avenue
1.4 mi · 4 min · West Walworth Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Janesville Street
2428 ft · 1 min · Janesville Street
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26
Turn right onto West Center Street
1377 ft · 51 sec · West Center Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Whitewater.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving La Crosse and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitewater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Whitewater?
The road trip is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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 90.4 miles from La Crosse and 90.7 miles from Whitewater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.7 miles (229.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.4 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 9:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.10 one way or $48.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around La Crosse and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitewater.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton
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 Lake Delton.
Wisconsin Dells
Portage
Westfield, WI
Madison, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Whitewater. Straight-line distance: 142.67 mi (229.6 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 Whitewater
Town in Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 1,491 |
| Coordinates | 42.8336200, -88.7323300 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
End: Whitewater (-88.73233, 42.83362)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.10 | $48.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.18 | $54.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.89 | $67.79 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.