How far is Pensaukee, WI from La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Pensaukee, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 234.8 miles (377.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 179 miles (288 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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
234.76 mi
04h 02m
Flight
178.95 mi
287.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pensaukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.95 mi
Kilometers
287.99 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.76 mi
Kilometers
377.81 km
Drive Time
04h 02m

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 04h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Fri, Apr 17, 2:38 PM CDT
Return by in Pensaukee
Fri, Apr 17, 6:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pensaukee
2026-04-17T10:36
Arrive La Crosse
Fri, Apr 17, 2:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pensaukee
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
Mecan
WI

Human settlement in Marquette County, Wisconsin, United States of America

From Pensaukee
114.8 mi
02h 01m
To La Crosse
120 mi
02h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph SE
Destination
77°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pensaukee and La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on County Highway S

    13 m · 7 sec · County Highway S

  2. 2

    Continue on County Highway SS

    1.6 mi · 4 min · County Highway SS

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Appleton, Green Bay

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 44, WI 91

    1444 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    56 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Ripon Rd

    1.3 km · 1 min · Ripon Rd

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 44

    14.8 mi · 22 min · State Highway 44

  8. 8

    Continue on East Oshkosh Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East Oshkosh Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Fond du Lac Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Fond du Lac Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 23 & 49

    3.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 23 & 49

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto State Highway 23

    9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 23

  12. 12

    Continue on South Fulton Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Fulton Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left

    46 m · 3 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on South 2nd Street

    2515 ft · 43 sec · South 2nd Street

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 23

    9.9 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23

  17. 17

    Continue on East Montello Street

    3142 ft · 57 sec · East Montello Street

  18. 18

    Continue on West Montello Street

    635 ft · 11 sec · West Montello Street

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto Underwood Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Underwood Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 23

    6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 23

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 82

    3.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 82

  22. 22

    Continue on East Ormsby Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Ormsby Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 82

    24.5 mi · 36 min · State Highway 82

  24. 24

    Keep slight right

    85 m · 5 sec

  25. 25

    Take the ramp right

    1756 ft · 43 sec

  26. 26

    Merge slight left

    23.5 mi · 25 min

  27. 27

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

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  29. 29

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  30. 30

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  32. 32

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  33. 33

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  34. 34

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pensaukee and 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
35 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Appleton
76.1 mi · 32%
State Highway 82
52 mi · 22%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 17%
State Highway 23
25.2 mi · 11%
State Highway 44
14.8 mi · 6%
State Highway 23 & 49
3.71 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Appleton

Turn left onto Appleton, Green Bay

76.1 mi · 01h 22m

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
04h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.8 mi
179 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mecan
02h 01m from Pensaukee
Leave By
8:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Pensaukee and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pensaukee to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 234.8 miles (377.8 km) and usually takes 04h 02m 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?

Mecan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.8 miles from Pensaukee and 120 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 179 miles (288 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.8 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 8:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.22 one way or $62.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain around Pensaukee and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Mecan

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

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

BUS

Westfield, WI

24 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Portage

34 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Waupun, WI

44 mi away
928 East Main Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

49 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pensaukee and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 178.95 mi (287.99 km).

Pensaukee

#1 Pensaukee

Civil town in Oconto County, Wisconsin

Population1,423
Coordinates44.8230500, -87.9131600
Altitude178
CountryUnited States
La Crosse

#2 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: County Highway S (-87.913294, 44.823046)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 378 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.28 gal
31.36 L · about $31.22
Round trip
$62.45
16.56 gal · 62.72 L
Estimated CO2
73.6 kg one way
Round trip: 147.2 kg / 325 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.22 $62.45
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.21 $70.43
Premium $4.65 $38.54 $77.07
Diesel $5.30 $43.92 $87.83

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Pensaukee and La Crosse. The current time is 10:36:10.

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.