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

The driving distance from Middleton, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 135.6 miles (218.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.7 miles (160.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
135.58 mi
02h 15m
Flight
99.71 mi
160.47 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Middleton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.71 mi
Kilometers
160.47 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
135.58 mi
Kilometers
218.2 km
Drive Time
02h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 9:28 AM CDT
Return by in Middleton
Thu, Apr 23, 11:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Middleton
2026-04-23T07:13
Arrive La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 9:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Middleton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Mauston
WI

City in and county seat of Juneau County, Wisconsin

From Middleton
67.5 mi
01h 07m
To La Crosse
68.1 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Park Lawn Place

    23 m · 4 sec · Park Lawn Place

  2. 2

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    2533 ft · 1 min · University Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1919 ft · 47 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    15.7 mi · 23 min

  6. 6

    Continue on US Highway 12 & State Highway 60

    22.1 mi · 28 min · US Highway 12 & State Highway 60

  7. 7

    Take the exit straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire

    1956 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    46.9 mi · 50 min

  9. 9

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

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  10. 10

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

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  16. 16

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

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Middleton 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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
86.4 mi · 64%
US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
22.1 mi · 16%
University Avenue
19 mi · 14%
16th Street South
0.78 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.67 mi
Losey Boulevard North
0.49 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

46.9 mi · 00h 50m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.9 mi
99.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mauston
01h 07m from Middleton
Leave By
1:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Middleton and Mostly Sunny then 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 Middleton to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 135.6 miles (218.2 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?

Mauston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Middleton and 68.1 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 99.7 miles (160.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Middleton and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Mauston

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

31 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Tomah

40 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
BUS

Westfield, WI

49 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Portage

56 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Middleton and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 99.71 mi (160.47 km).

Middleton

#1 Middleton

Third-class city in Dane County, Wisconsin

Population6,267
Coordinates43.0972200, -89.5042900
Altitude286
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: Park Lawn Place (-89.504287, 43.09722)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 218 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.78 gal
18.11 L · about $18.03
Round trip
$36.05
9.56 gal · 36.22 L
Estimated CO2
42.5 kg one way
Round trip: 85 kg / 187 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.03 $36.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.33 $40.66
Premium $4.65 $22.25 $44.49
Diesel $5.30 $25.35 $50.71

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

There is no time difference between Middleton and La Crosse. The current time is 07:13:05.

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.