How far is North La Crosse, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?
The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m 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 44m.
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 Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Fog
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
-
1
Start on Rose Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
-
2
Turn left
8.4 mi · 9 min
-
3
Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
4
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
5
Continue straight
13.2 mi · 15 min
-
6
Continue straight
1131 ft · 16 sec
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
44 m · 2 sec · US 14;US 61
-
8
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
2.6 mi · 4 min · US 14;US 61
-
9
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 8 min
-
10
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
2426 ft · 38 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail
-
11
Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
25.3 mi · 29 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
-
12
Turn right onto Pembroke Avenue South
1.2 km · 1 min · Pembroke Avenue South
-
13
Turn left onto 4th Grant Boulevard West
633 ft · 11 sec · 4th Grant Boulevard West
-
14
Turn slight right
2044 ft · 39 sec
-
15
Continue on Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
1199 ft · 20 sec · Wabasha-Nelson Bridge
-
16
Continue on State Highway 25
2167 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 25
-
17
Continue on State Road 25
2 mi · 3 min · State Road 25
-
18
Continue on North Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street
-
19
Continue on State Road 25-35
3255 ft · 55 sec · State Road 25-35
-
20
Continue on State Road 35
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Road 35
-
21
Continue on 3rd Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 3rd Street
-
22
Continue on State Highway 35
11.4 mi · 17 min · State Highway 35
-
23
Continue on Great River Road
6.7 mi · 11 min · Great River Road
-
24
Turn right onto County Road D
7.1 mi · 13 min · County Road D
-
25
Turn left onto US Highway 10
1.4 mi · 2 min · US Highway 10
-
26
Turn right onto County Road DD
2 mi · 4 min · County Road DD
-
27
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 63
29.6 mi · 43 min · US Highway 63
-
28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 46
45 m · 9 sec · State Highway 46
-
29
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 46
3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 46
-
30
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
31
Continue on State Highway 46
7.8 mi · 14 min · State Highway 46
-
32
Turn left onto County Highway F
1.1 km · 1 min · County Highway F
-
33
Turn right onto 105th Street
1690 ft · 1 min · 105th Street
-
34
At the end of the road, turn left onto Baker Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Baker Avenue
-
35
At the end of the road, turn right onto 110th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · 110th Street
-
36
Continue on 110th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · 110th Street
-
37
Turn straight onto County Highway H
2.8 mi · 4 min · County Highway H
-
38
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
2.9 mi · 4 min · East 130th Avenue
-
39
Turn right onto 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
-
40
Continue on West Main Street
2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street
-
41
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue
-
42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Balsam Lake.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US Highway 63
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 63
29.6 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Widespread Fog leaving North La Crosse and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Balsam Lake?
The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Stockholm is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.2 miles from North La Crosse and 78.3 miles from Balsam Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.8 miles (202.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 9:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Fog around North La Crosse and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Stockholm
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 Stockholm.
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Winona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 125.8 mi (202.46 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 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.