How far is North La Crosse, WI from Shell Lake, WI?
The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Shell Lake, WI is about 160.3 miles (257.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m 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 25m.
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.
City in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North La Crosse and Shell Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse and Shell Lake.
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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
1.3 mi · 2 min
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 North, WI 157: La Crosse, Onalaska
1196 ft · 29 sec
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4
Keep slight left
23.2 mi · 30 min
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5
Continue on State Highway 93
21.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 93
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6
Continue on Diagonal Street
720 ft · 19 sec · Diagonal Street
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7
Continue on Burrows Road
1754 ft · 60 sec · Burrows Road
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8
Continue on Washington Street
1211 ft · 41 sec · Washington Street
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9
Continue on Osseo Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Osseo Road
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10
Continue on State Highway 93 / 121
15.3 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93 / 121
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11
Continue on Main Street South
1789 ft · 53 sec · Main Street South
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12
Turn straight onto Lake Park Drive
1683 ft · 44 sec · Lake Park Drive
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13
Continue on State Highway 93
15 mi · 21 min · State Highway 93
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14
Keep slight left
717 ft · 18 sec
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15
Keep slight left
1261 ft · 31 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1766 ft · 43 sec
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17
Merge slight left
73.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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18
Take the exit slight left
144 m · 13 sec
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19
Merge slight right
619 ft · 10 sec
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20
Turn right onto County Road B
4.7 mi · 8 min · County Road B
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
1.1 km · 54 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North La Crosse and Shell Lake.
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 93
Merge slight left
73.6 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Sunny near Shell 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 Shell Lake?
The road trip is about 160.3 miles (257.9 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.1 miles from North La Crosse and 80.2 miles from Shell Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.34 one way or $42.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around North La Crosse and Sunny near Shell Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Eau Claire, WI
Chippewa Falls, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Shell Lake. Straight-line distance: 134.94 mi (217.17 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 Shell Lake
City in and county seat of Washburn County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,318 |
| Coordinates | 45.7393900, -91.9254500 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shell Lake (-91.92545, 45.73939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 258 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.34 | $42.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.07 | $48.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.02 | $60.04 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.