How far is North La Crosse, WI from Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The driving distance from North La Crosse, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI is about 95.6 miles (153.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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
95.64 mi
02h 05m
Flight
80.09 mi
128.9 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
80.09 mi
Kilometers
128.9 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.64 mi
Kilometers
153.91 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wisconsin Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 2:22 AM CDT
Return by in North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 4:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North La Crosse
2026-04-19T00:17
Arrive Wisconsin Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 2:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:20 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
Tomah
WI

City in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States

From North La Crosse
47.7 mi
01h 02m
To Wisconsin Rapids
47.9 mi
01h 02m

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
47°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    27.9 mi · 30 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight left toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    1.3 km · 55 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight right

    2.9 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah

    1385 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East McCoy Boulevard

    1738 ft · 33 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 21

    4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Highway 173

    23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 173

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 80

    125 m · 9 sec · State Highway 80

  12. 12

    Turn right onto State Highway 173

    9.1 mi · 13 min · State Highway 173

  13. 13

    Continue on County Highway G

    2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 54

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

  15. 15

    Continue on Letendre Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Wisconsin River Drive

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on 2nd Avenue South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 2nd Avenue South

    20 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South

    2545 ft · 56 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Turn slight left

    103 m · 15 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 8th Street South

    1101 ft · 31 sec · 8th Street South

  23. 23

    Turn left

    18 m · 6 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right

    5 m · 1 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rose Street
43.1 mi · 45%
State Highway 173
34 mi · 36%
State Highway 21
3.97 mi · 4%
I 94 West
3.67 mi · 4%
State Highway 54
2.09 mi · 2%
County Highway G
1.97 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Rose Street

Continue straight

27.9 mi · 00h 30m

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
80.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tomah
01h 02m from North La Crosse
Leave By
2:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving North La Crosse and Mostly Sunny near Wisconsin Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 95.6 miles (153.9 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?

Tomah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.7 miles from North La Crosse and 47.9 miles from Wisconsin Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 80.1 miles (128.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 2:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.71 one way or $25.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 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 Wisconsin Rapids.

Stop Ideas Near Tomah

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

1 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

La Crosse

62 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

69 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

70 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North La Crosse and Wisconsin Rapids. Straight-line distance: 80.09 mi (128.9 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Wisconsin Rapids

#2 Wisconsin Rapids

Third-class city in and county seat of Wood County, Wisconsin

Population17,555
Coordinates44.3835763, -89.8173466
Altitude313
CountryUnited States
Start: North La Crosse (-91.24819, 43.84635)
End: Wisconsin Rapids (-89.817347, 44.383576)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 154 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.37 gal
12.77 L · about $12.71
Round trip
$25.42
6.74 gal · 25.54 L
Estimated CO2
29.9 kg one way
Round trip: 59.9 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.71 $25.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.33 $28.67
Premium $4.65 $15.68 $31.37
Diesel $5.30 $17.87 $35.75

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 Wisconsin Rapids. The current time is 00:17:02.

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.