How far is La Crosse, WI from Wisconsin Rapids, WI?
The driving distance from La Crosse, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 13m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids.
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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
2545 ft · 56 sec · 2nd Avenue South
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24
Turn slight right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
25
Turn slight left
103 m · 15 sec
-
26
Turn left onto 8th Street South
1101 ft · 31 sec · 8th Street South
-
27
Turn left
18 m · 6 sec
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28
Turn right
5 m · 1 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Wisconsin Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Crosse to Wisconsin Rapids?
The road trip is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km) and usually takes 02h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tomah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49 miles from La Crosse and 49.2 miles from Wisconsin Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.2 miles (130.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.09 one way or $26.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Wisconsin Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Tomah
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 Tomah.
Tomah
La Crosse
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Wisconsin Dells
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids. Straight-line distance: 81.23 mi (130.73 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 Wisconsin Rapids
Third-class city in and county seat of Wood County, Wisconsin
| Population | 17,555 |
| Coordinates | 44.3835763, -89.8173466 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wisconsin Rapids (-89.817347, 44.383576)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 158 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.09 | $26.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.76 | $29.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.15 | $32.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.40 | $36.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.