How far is North La Crosse, WI from Waterford, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Waterford, WI is about 205.7 miles (331.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169.9 miles (273.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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
205.71 mi
03h 58m
Flight
169.91 mi
273.44 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
169.91 mi
Kilometers
273.44 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
205.71 mi
Kilometers
331.06 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterford
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 4:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-04-18T20:51
Arrive Waterford
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 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
9:04 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
Portage
WI

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

From North La Crosse
102.7 mi
01h 59m
To Waterford
103 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph NW
Destination
60°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    45.5 mi · 49 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH C: Delafield

    1490 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto County Highway C

    2.7 mi · 5 min · County Highway C

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US Highway 18

    1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 18

  8. 8

    Continue on West Summit Avenue

    122 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Summit Avenue

    23 m · 4 sec · West Summit Avenue

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue

    160 m · 13 sec · West Summit Avenue

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Wales Road

    9 m · 2 sec · North Wales Road

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto North Wales Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Wales Road

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 83

    1573 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 83

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    36 m · 7 sec · State Highway 83

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    2.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 83

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    43 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 83

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    21 m · 4 sec · State Highway 83

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    1.3 km · 1 min · State Highway 83

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83

    34 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83

    3.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 83

  22. 22

    Continue on North Rochester Street

    3 mi · 6 min · North Rochester Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 83

    1511 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 83

  24. 24

    Continue on Northwest Highway

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Northwest Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on High Drive

    1895 ft · 42 sec · High Drive

  26. 26

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto South River Street

    16 m · 2 sec · South River Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South River Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
0 merges, 14 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 66%
I 94
45.5 mi · 22%
State Highway 83
9.05 mi · 4%
Northwest Highway
5.92 mi · 3%
North Rochester Street
3.05 mi · 1%
County Highway C
2.67 mi · 1%
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 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.8 mi
169.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portage
01h 59m from North La Crosse
Leave By
9:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving North La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 205.7 miles (331.1 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?

Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.7 miles from North La Crosse and 103 miles from Waterford.

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

The direct path is about 169.9 miles (273.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.38 one way or $54.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers around North La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterford.

Stop Ideas Near Portage

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

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

RAIL

Portage

1 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

27 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

43 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 169.91 mi (273.44 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Waterford

#2 Waterford

Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Population6,497
Coordinates42.7630700, -88.2142600
Altitude236
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Waterford (-88.21426, 42.76307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 331 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.26 gal
27.48 L · about $27.38
Round trip
$54.75
14.52 gal · 54.96 L
Estimated CO2
64.5 kg one way
Round trip: 129 kg / 284 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.38 $54.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.88 $61.75
Premium $4.65 $33.79 $67.58
Diesel $5.30 $38.51 $77.01

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 Waterford. The current time is 20:51:12.

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.