How far is Mequon, WI from La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Mequon, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 220 miles (354 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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
219.98 mi
03h 28m
Flight
165.84 mi
266.89 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mequon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
165.84 mi
Kilometers
266.89 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
219.98 mi
Kilometers
354.02 km
Drive Time
03h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Mon, May 18, 8:09 PM CDT
Return by in Mequon
Mon, May 18, 11:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mequon
2026-05-18T16:41
Arrive La Crosse
Mon, May 18, 8:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 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
10:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mequon
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
Portage
WI

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

From Mequon
107.6 mi
01h 44m
To La Crosse
112.3 mi
01h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Monday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mequon and La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    569 ft · 44 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Swan Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Swan Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West County Line Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West County Line Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North 107th Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · North 107th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West Brown Deer Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West Brown Deer Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North 124th Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North 124th Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 41 South, US 45

    1940 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Zoo Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol Drive

    649 ft · 16 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 190 East

    1183 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto West Capitol Drive

    7.1 mi · 11 min · West Capitol Drive

  12. 12

    Turn slight right

    1401 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    63 m · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Redford Boulevard

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Redford Boulevard

  15. 15

    Take the ramp slight right

    1793 ft · 44 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    1.3 mi · 1 min · East-West Freeway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

    29.1 mi · 31 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  23. 23

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  27. 27

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 42%
East-West Freeway
54.8 mi · 25%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 18%
West Capitol Drive
7.15 mi · 3%
Zoo Freeway
4.5 mi · 2%
Redford Boulevard
2.82 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.2 mi
165.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portage
01h 44m from Mequon
Leave By
10:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Mequon and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mequon to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 220 miles (354 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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 107.6 miles from Mequon and 112.3 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 165.8 miles (266.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Mequon and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Portage

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

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

RAIL

Portage

1 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

27 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

43 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mequon and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 165.84 mi (266.89 km).

Mequon

#1 Mequon

Fourth-class city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

Population24,765
Coordinates43.2155500, -88.0300100
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
La Crosse

#2 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: (-88.02568, 43.218779)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 354 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.76 gal
29.38 L · about $29.26
Round trip
$58.53
15.52 gal · 58.76 L
Estimated CO2
69 kg one way
Round trip: 137.9 kg / 304 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.26 $58.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.00 $66.01
Premium $4.65 $36.12 $72.23
Diesel $5.30 $41.16 $82.32

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Mequon and La Crosse. The current time is 16:41:15.

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.