How far is North La Crosse, WI from Cottage Grove, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Cottage Grove, WI is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.7 miles (186.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
142.46 mi
02h 35m
Flight
115.7 mi
186.2 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115.7 mi
Kilometers
186.2 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.46 mi
Kilometers
229.26 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottage Grove
Sun, Apr 19, 10:56 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 1:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-04-19T08:20
Arrive Cottage Grove
Sun, Apr 19, 10:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North La Crosse
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

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 North La Crosse
71.1 mi
01h 17m
To Cottage Grove
71.3 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Cottage Grove.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Cottage Grove.

  1. 1

    Start on Rose Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  2. 2

    Take the exit slight right

    14 mi · 15 min

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    120.3 mi · 2 hr 9 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    4.3 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove

    1821 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    76 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto County Highway N

    1.2 km · 1 min · County Highway N

  8. 8

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Cottage Grove.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
9 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 95%
I 94
4.32 mi · 3%
North Main Street
1.49 mi · 1%
County Highway N
0.75 mi · 1%
CTH N
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

Rose Street

Continue straight

120 mi · 02h 09m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
115.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lemonweir
01h 17m from North La Crosse
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Cottage Grove?

The road trip is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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 71.1 miles from North La Crosse and 71.3 miles from Cottage Grove.

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

The direct path is about 115.7 miles (186.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.97 one way or $37.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around North La Crosse and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.

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 North La Crosse and Cottage Grove. Straight-line distance: 115.7 mi (186.2 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Cottage Grove

#2 Cottage Grove

Civil town in Dane County, Wisconsin

Population3,989
Coordinates43.0761100, -89.1995600
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Cottage Grove (-89.19956, 43.07611)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.03 gal
19.03 L · about $18.97
Round trip
$37.94
10.06 gal · 38.06 L
Estimated CO2
44.7 kg one way
Round trip: 89.4 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.97 $37.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.39 $42.79
Premium $4.65 $23.41 $46.82
Diesel $5.30 $26.68 $53.36

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between North La Crosse and Cottage Grove. The current time is 08:20:41.

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.