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

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Watertown, WI is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134 miles (215.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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
170.82 mi
03h 09m
Flight
134 mi
215.65 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
134 mi
Kilometers
215.65 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.82 mi
Kilometers
274.91 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Thu, Apr 30, 2:03 PM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Thu, Apr 30, 5:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-04-30T10:54
Arrive Watertown
Thu, Apr 30, 2:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 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
10:42 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
85.3 mi
01h 34m
To Watertown
85.6 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    26.6 mi · 29 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek

    1200 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    1806 ft · 55 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 26 Business, CTH Y: Watertown

    612 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 26 Business: Watertown

    2779 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Church Street

    40 m · 3 sec · South Church Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto South Church Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · South Church Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    35 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 79%
I 94
26.6 mi · 16%
WI 26
4.32 mi · 3%
South Church Street
2.39 mi · 1%
WI 26 Business
0.64 mi
West Main Street
0.02 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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.8 mi
134 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 34m from North La Crosse
Leave By
10:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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 85.3 miles from North La Crosse and 85.6 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 134 miles (215.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 10:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.74 one way or $45.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Sunny around North La Crosse and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Watertown.

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 Watertown. Straight-line distance: 134 mi (215.65 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Watertown

City in Jefferson County, New York

Population2,039
Coordinates43.1947200, -88.7289900
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Watertown (-88.72899, 43.19472)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 275 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.03 gal
22.82 L · about $22.74
Round trip
$45.48
12.06 gal · 45.64 L
Estimated CO2
53.6 kg one way
Round trip: 107.2 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.74 $45.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.65 $51.29
Premium $4.65 $28.06 $56.13
Diesel $5.30 $31.98 $63.97

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between North La Crosse and Watertown. The current time is 10:54:00.

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.