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

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Waukesha, WI is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162 miles (260.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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
193.18 mi
03h 32m
Flight
161.97 mi
260.67 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
161.97 mi
Kilometers
260.67 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.18 mi
Kilometers
310.89 km
Drive Time
03h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukesha
Wed, May 13, 12:35 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Wed, May 13, 4:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-05-12T21:02
Arrive Waukesha
Wed, May 13, 12:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:33 AM to 11:33 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
9:54 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
Lewiston
WI

Town in Wisconsin, USA

From North La Crosse
96.4 mi
01h 46m
To Waukesha
96.7 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    54.6 mi · 58 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 164 North, CTH J South, I 41 North Alternate: Waukesha, Pewaukee

    1829 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on CTH J South, I 94 Alternate East, I 41 Alternate North, US 41 Alternate North, US 45 Alternate North: Waukesha County Airport, Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha

    63 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Pewaukee Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Pewaukee Road

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East North Street

    114 m · 13 sec · East North Street

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on East North Street

    147 m · 12 sec · East North Street

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto East Saint Paul Avenue

    1363 ft · 54 sec · East Saint Paul Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northwest Barstow Street

    1087 ft · 43 sec · Northwest Barstow Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    673 ft · 14 sec · West Main Street

  13. 13

    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 Waukesha.

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
136 mi · 70%
I 94
54.6 mi · 28%
Pewaukee Road
1.97 mi · 1%
WI 164 North
0.35 mi
East Saint Paul Avenue
0.26 mi
Northwest Barstow Street
0.21 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 32m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.2 mi
162 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lewiston
01h 46m from North La Crosse
Leave By
9:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?

Lewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.4 miles from North La Crosse and 96.7 miles from Waukesha.

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

The direct path is about 162 miles (260.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.2 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 9:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North La Crosse and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.

Stop Ideas Near Lewiston

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

12 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

14 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

36 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

57 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Waukesha. Straight-line distance: 161.97 mi (260.67 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Waukesha

City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Population8,939
Coordinates43.0116800, -88.2314800
Altitude248
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Waukesha (-88.23148, 43.01168)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 311 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.82 gal
25.8 L · about $25.72
Round trip
$51.44
13.64 gal · 51.6 L
Estimated CO2
60.6 kg one way
Round trip: 121.2 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.72 $51.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.01 $58.01
Premium $4.65 $31.74 $63.48
Diesel $5.30 $36.17 $72.35

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between North La Crosse and Waukesha. The current time is 21:02:46.

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.