How far is North La Crosse, WI from Lake Mills, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Lake Mills, WI is about 156 miles (251 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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
155.98 mi
02h 49m
Flight
128.53 mi
206.85 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
128.53 mi
Kilometers
206.85 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.98 mi
Kilometers
251.02 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Mills
Sun, Apr 19, 8:42 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 11:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-04-19T05:53
Arrive Lake Mills
Sun, Apr 19, 8:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 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

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
Lyndon Station
WI

Village in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From North La Crosse
77.9 mi
01h 24m
To Lake Mills
78.1 mi
01h 24m

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
49°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Lake Mills.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Lake Mills.

  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

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn sharp right onto West Madison Street

    10 m · 1 sec · West Madison Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Madison Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Lake Mills.

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
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 87%
I 94
19.5 mi · 12%
North Main Street
0.75 mi
WI 89
0.25 mi
West Madison Street
0.01 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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
128.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lyndon Station
01h 24m from North La Crosse
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Lake Mills.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North La Crosse to Lake Mills?

The road trip is about 156 miles (251 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Lyndon Station is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.9 miles from North La Crosse and 78.1 miles from Lake Mills.

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

The direct path is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.74 one way or $41.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 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 Mostly Sunny near Lake Mills.

Stop Ideas Near Lyndon Station

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

14 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

39 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Tomah

57 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Lake Mills. Straight-line distance: 128.53 mi (206.85 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Lake Mills

#2 Lake Mills

City in Iowa, USA

Population2,135
Coordinates43.0813900, -88.9117700
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Lake Mills (-88.91177, 43.08139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.5 gal
20.83 L · about $20.74
Round trip
$41.48
11 gal · 41.66 L
Estimated CO2
48.9 kg one way
Round trip: 97.8 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.74 $41.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.39 $46.78
Premium $4.65 $25.60 $51.19
Diesel $5.30 $29.17 $58.34

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 Lake Mills. The current time is 05:53:05.

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.