How far is North La Crosse, WI from Fort Atkinson, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Fort Atkinson, WI is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
168.17 mi
03h 11m
Flight
136.65 mi
219.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North La Crosse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.65 mi
Kilometers
219.92 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.17 mi
Kilometers
270.64 km
Drive Time
03h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Atkinson
Thu, May 7, 3:18 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Thu, May 7, 6:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-05-07T00:07
Arrive Fort Atkinson
Thu, May 7, 3:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in North La Crosse
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Wisconsin Dells
WI

City in Wisconsin, United States

From North La Crosse
83.9 mi
01h 35m
To Fort Atkinson
84.2 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Fort Atkinson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Fort Atkinson.

  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

    19.5 mi · 21 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 89: Lake Mills, Waterloo

    1198 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    36 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    2 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 89

    5.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 89

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 18

    2151 ft · 35 sec · US Highway 18

  10. 10

    Turn right onto State Highway 89

    4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 89

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road Q

    3269 ft · 1 min · County Road Q

  12. 12

    Continue on North Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Fort Atkinson.

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
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 81%
I 94
19.5 mi · 12%
State Highway 89
9.04 mi · 5%
North Main Street
2.88 mi · 2%
County Road Q
0.62 mi
US Highway 18
0.41 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 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.

Drive Time
03h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
136.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 35m from North La Crosse
Leave By
10:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving North La Crosse and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Atkinson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Fort Atkinson?

The road trip is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?

Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.9 miles from North La Crosse and 84.2 miles from Fort Atkinson.

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

The direct path is about 136.6 miles (219.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 10:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.36 one way or $44.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around North La Crosse and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Atkinson.

Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

26 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

37 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

68 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Fort Atkinson. Straight-line distance: 136.65 mi (219.92 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Fort Atkinson

#2 Fort Atkinson

City in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States of America

Population12,372
Coordinates42.9288900, -88.8370500
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Fort Atkinson (-88.83705, 42.92889)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.93 gal
22.46 L · about $22.36
Round trip
$44.72
11.86 gal · 44.92 L
Estimated CO2
52.7 kg one way
Round trip: 105.4 kg / 232 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.36 $44.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.22 $50.44
Premium $4.65 $27.60 $55.20
Diesel $5.30 $31.45 $62.91

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between North La Crosse and Fort Atkinson. The current time is 00:07:09.

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.