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

The driving distance from Monona, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 145.7 miles (234.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.4 miles (174.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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
145.71 mi
02h 18m
Flight
108.39 mi
174.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Monona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.39 mi
Kilometers
174.44 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.71 mi
Kilometers
234.5 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 2:27 AM CDT
Return by in Monona
Thu, Apr 23, 4:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Monona
2026-04-23T00:08
Arrive La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 2:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Monona
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
Lemonweir
WI

Town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States

From Monona
72.5 mi
01h 09m
To La Crosse
73.2 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 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 Monona and La Crosse.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Nichols Road

    2080 ft · 59 sec · Nichols Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Pflaum Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Pflaum Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Stoughton Road

    3 mi · 4 min · South Stoughton Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1792 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells

    1779 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    28.9 mi · 31 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 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 Monona 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
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.8 mi · 64%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 27%
South Stoughton Road
4.58 mi · 3%
Pflaum Road
0.86 mi · 1%
16th Street South
0.78 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.67 mi
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 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 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.3 mi
108.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lemonweir
01h 09m from Monona
Leave By
1:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Monona 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 Monona to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 145.7 miles (234.5 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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 72.5 miles from Monona and 73.2 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 108.4 miles (174.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.38 one way or $38.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lemonweir

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

26 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

44 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Tomah

45 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Portage

51 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Monona and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 108.39 mi (174.44 km).

Monona

#1 Monona

City in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States of America

Population8,164
Coordinates43.0622200, -89.3340100
Altitude268
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: Nichols Road (-89.334008, 43.062313)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 235 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.14 gal
19.46 L · about $19.38
Round trip
$38.77
10.28 gal · 38.92 L
Estimated CO2
45.7 kg one way
Round trip: 91.4 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.38 $38.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.86 $43.72
Premium $4.65 $23.92 $47.84
Diesel $5.30 $27.26 $54.53

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 Monona and La Crosse. The current time is 00:08:51.

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.