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

The driving distance from Ottawa, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.8 miles (245.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m 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
184.93 mi
02h 49m
Flight
152.78 mi
245.87 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ottawa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.78 mi
Kilometers
245.87 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.93 mi
Kilometers
297.61 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North La Crosse
Sat, May 30, 7:13 AM CDT
Return by in Ottawa
Sat, May 30, 10:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ottawa
2026-05-30T04:24
Arrive North La Crosse
Sat, May 30, 7:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ottawa
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
Lake Delton
WI

Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

From Ottawa
92.3 mi
01h 24m
To North La Crosse
92.6 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph E
Destination
80°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on County Highway D

    1.4 km · 2 min · County Highway D

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 67

    1802 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 67

  3. 3

    Continue on North Summit Avenue

    5.8 mi · 9 min · North Summit Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left

    1706 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    41.2 mi · 44 min · East-West Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

    29.1 mi · 31 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

    42.1 mi · 45 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1291 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Rose Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 50%
I 90 West
42.1 mi · 23%
East-West Freeway
41.2 mi · 22%
North Summit Avenue
5.79 mi · 3%
Rose Street
1.57 mi · 1%
County Highway D
0.88 mi
Longest Stretch

I 39 North

Keep slight left

63.5 mi · 01h 08m

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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.1 mi
152.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Delton
01h 24m from Ottawa
Leave By
12:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ottawa and Mostly Cloudy near North La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Lake Delton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Ottawa and 92.6 miles from North La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 152.8 miles (245.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 12:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ottawa and Mostly Cloudy near North La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

3 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

27 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

40 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

67 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ottawa and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 152.78 mi (245.87 km).

Ottawa

#1 Ottawa

Town in Wisconsin, United States

Population3,937
Coordinates42.9761200, -88.4498200
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 North La Crosse

A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population50,470
Coordinates43.8463500, -91.2481900
Altitude197
CountryUnited States
Start: County Highway D (-88.449757, 42.976193)
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.53 gal
24.7 L · about $24.62
Round trip
$49.25
13.06 gal · 49.4 L
Estimated CO2
58 kg one way
Round trip: 116.1 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.62 $49.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.77 $55.54
Premium $4.65 $30.39 $60.78
Diesel $5.30 $34.64 $69.27

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Ottawa and North La Crosse. The current time is 04:24:29.

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.