How far is Madison, WI from North La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.9 miles (172.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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 20m.
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.
Town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and North La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and North La Crosse.
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1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
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3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
2.8 mi · 9 min · West Johnson Street
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4
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
2791 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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5
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Packers Avenue
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Packers Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Packers Avenue
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7
Continue on County Highway CV
2.4 mi · 4 min · County Highway CV
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8
Turn slight left
152 m · 27 sec
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9
Turn left onto US Highway 51
2827 ft · 54 sec · US Highway 51
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
2084 ft · 51 sec
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11
Merge slight left
23.3 mi · 25 min
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12
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
42.1 mi · 45 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
1291 ft · 37 sec
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15
Turn left onto Rose Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and North La Crosse.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 North
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Madison and Partly Sunny near North La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to North La Crosse?
The road trip is about 138.1 miles (222.3 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?
Lemonweir is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.2 miles from Madison and 67.9 miles from North La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.9 miles (172.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.36 one way or $36.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Madison and Partly Sunny near North La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Lemonweir
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 Lemonweir.
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Tomah
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 106.93 mi (172.09 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North La Crosse
A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 50,470 |
| Coordinates | 43.8463500, -91.2481900 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 222 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.36 | $36.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.