How far is Mercer, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Mercer, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 254.5 miles (409.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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 28m.
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.
Civil town in Marathon County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mercer and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mercer and La Crosse.
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1
Start on US 51
32.8 mi · 49 min · US 51
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2
Continue on Oneida Street
71.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min · Oneida Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
12.5 mi · 14 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids
1570 ft · 38 sec
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5
Keep slight right
61 m · 7 sec
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6
Turn straight onto State Highway 34
879 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 34
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 34
38 m · 2 sec · State Highway 34
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8
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 34
9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34
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9
Take the ramp right
1266 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto US Highway 10
3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10
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11
Take the exit slight right toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids
1767 ft · 49 sec
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12
Turn left onto Victory Road
15.2 mi · 22 min · Victory Road
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13
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
2831 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 2nd Avenue South
57 m · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South
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15
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South
1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South
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16
Continue on Wisconsin River Drive
1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive
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17
Turn right onto Letendre Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 54
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54
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19
Turn left onto County Highway G
2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G
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20
Continue on State Highway 173
9.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 173
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 80
125 m · 7 sec · State Highway 80
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22
Continue on State Highway 173
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173
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23
Continue on State Highway 173
23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173
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24
Turn right onto State Highway 21
4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21
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25
Continue on East McCoy Boulevard
1684 ft · 34 sec · East McCoy Boulevard
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26
Continue on State Highway 21
640 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 21
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27
Take the exit straight
1644 ft · 42 sec
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28
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
1.2 km · 51 sec
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30
Merge slight left
38.1 mi · 41 min
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31
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
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32
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
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33
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
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34
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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35
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
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36
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
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37
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercer and 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.
Oneida Street
Continue on Oneida Street
71.1 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Mercer and Partly Sunny near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mercer to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 254.5 miles (409.6 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Knowlton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Mercer and 133 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 81.3 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 8:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.86 one way or $67.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Mercer and Partly Sunny near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Knowlton
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 Knowlton.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point, WI
Wausau, WI
Wausau, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mercer and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 173.17 mi (278.69 km).
#1 Mercer
Civil town in Iron County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,387 |
| Coordinates | 46.1655000, -90.0626600 |
| Altitude | 488 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Crosse
The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 51,163 |
| Coordinates | 43.8013600, -91.2395800 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 410 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.86 | $67.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.79 | $83.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
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.