How far is North La Crosse, WI from Athens, WI?
The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Athens, WI is about 133.2 miles (214.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m 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 03h 18m.
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.
Village in Jackson County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Athens.
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1
Start on Rose Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
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2
Take the exit slight right
14 mi · 15 min
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3
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 8 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
1312 ft · 32 sec
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5
Keep slight left
52 m · 4 sec
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6
Turn left onto South Black River Street
1.5 km · 1 min · South Black River Street
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Black River Street
27 m · 2 sec · South Black River Street
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8
Exit the roundabout onto South Black River Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Black River Street
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9
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 27
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10
Continue on Gebhardt Road
1811 ft · 51 sec · Gebhardt Road
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11
Continue on South Roosevelt Road
1003 ft · 34 sec · South Roosevelt Road
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12
Turn left onto East Main Street
1007 ft · 41 sec · East Main Street
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13
Turn slight right
3.3 mi · 5 min
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14
Turn right onto County Highway E
7.8 mi · 14 min · County Highway E
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15
Turn left onto County Highway K
2911 ft · 1 min · County Highway K
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road J
3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road J
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17
Turn right onto State Highway 95
8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 95
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18
Continue on State Highway 73
3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 73
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19
Turn right onto West Division Street
2 mi · 4 min · West Division Street
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20
Continue on US Highway 10
21 mi · 29 min · US Highway 10
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US Highway 10
88 m · 16 sec · US Highway 10
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22
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 10
1.8 mi · 3 min · US Highway 10
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Central Avenue
37 m · 7 sec · South Central Avenue
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24
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
622 ft · 12 sec · South Central Avenue
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Central Avenue
46 m · 3 sec · South Central Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
5.1 mi · 9 min · South Central Avenue
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27
Continue on State Highway 97
24.4 mi · 41 min · State Highway 97
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28
Continue on Pine Street
3230 ft · 1 min · Pine Street
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29
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mueller Street
1299 ft · 28 sec · Mueller Street
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30
Turn right onto Alfred Street
12 m · 2 sec · Alfred Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alfred Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 27
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Athens?
The road trip is about 133.2 miles (214.3 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Merrillan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from North La Crosse and 66.7 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.4 miles (161.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 10:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.72 one way or $35.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North La Crosse and Rain Showers Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Merrillan
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 Merrillan.
Stanley, WI
Tomah
Eau Claire, WI
Abbotsford-Colby, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Athens. Straight-line distance: 100.38 mi (161.55 km).
#1 North La Crosse
A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 50,470 |
| Coordinates | 43.8463500, -91.2481900 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Village in Marathon County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,079 |
| Coordinates | 45.0330200, -90.0740200 |
| Altitude | 427 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-90.07402, 45.03302)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 214 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.72 | $35.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.99 | $39.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.87 | $43.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.93 | $49.86 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.