How far is La Crosse, WI from Wind Lake, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Wind Lake, WI is about 212.7 miles (342.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m 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 04h 08m.
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.
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Wind Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Wind Lake.
-
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 left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
57.6 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 South, WI 164 South, CTH JJ South: Bluemound Road, Waukesha
1159 ft · 28 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 18 West, WI 164 South: Waukesha
1.5 mi · 3 min
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11
Turn slight left
2.1 mi · 4 min
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12
Turn slight left
137 m · 19 sec
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13
Turn left onto East Racine Avenue
5.2 mi · 9 min · East Racine Avenue
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Racine Avenue
35 m · 2 sec · South Racine Avenue
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15
Exit the roundabout onto South Racine Avenue
574 ft · 12 sec · South Racine Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Racine Avenue
34 m · 2 sec · South Racine Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto South Racine Avenue
5.7 mi · 10 min · South Racine Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Highway Y
25 m · 2 sec · Racine Avenue
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19
Exit the rotary onto Racine Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Racine Avenue
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20
Continue on County Highway Y
1.5 km · 2 min · County Highway Y
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Oak Ridge Drive
59 m · 4 sec · Oak Ridge Drive
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Oak Ridge Drive
49 m · 31 sec · Oak Ridge Drive
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23
Continue on Oak Ridge Drive
42 m · 3 sec · Oak Ridge Drive
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Ridge Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Wind Lake.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Wind Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Wind Lake?
The road trip is about 212.7 miles (342.3 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.2 miles from La Crosse and 106.5 miles from Wind Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.32 one way or $56.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Wind Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Portage
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 Portage.
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Wind Lake. Straight-line distance: 168.8 mi (271.65 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 Wind Lake
Census designated place
| Population | 5,342 |
| Coordinates | 42.8294600, -88.1587000 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wind Lake (-88.1587, 42.82946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.32 | $56.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.94 | $63.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.95 | $69.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.83 | $79.67 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.