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

The driving distance from Pewaukee, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 193.2 miles (311 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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
193.28 mi
02h 57m
Flight
157.49 mi
253.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pewaukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
157.49 mi
Kilometers
253.45 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.28 mi
Kilometers
311.05 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM CDT
Return by in Pewaukee
Thu, Apr 23, 4:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pewaukee
2026-04-22T22:33
Arrive La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pewaukee
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 Pewaukee
96.3 mi
01h 28m
To La Crosse
97 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Prospect Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Prospect Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Meadowbrook Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Meadowbrook Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 West

    35 m · 3 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right

    1637 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    50.8 mi · 54 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

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  9. 9

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

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  15. 15

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

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pewaukee 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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 48%
East-West Freeway
50.8 mi · 26%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 20%
Meadowbrook Road
1.36 mi · 1%
Prospect Avenue
1.15 mi · 1%
16th Street South
0.78 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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.7 mi
157.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Delton
01h 28m from Pewaukee
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Pewaukee and Sunny near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 193.2 miles (311 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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 96.3 miles from Pewaukee and 97 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 12:34 PM 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 Sunny around Pewaukee and Sunny near 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 Pewaukee and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 157.49 mi (253.45 km).

Pewaukee

#1 Pewaukee

Third-class city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Population8,099
Coordinates43.0805700, -88.2612000
Altitude266
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: Prospect Avenue (-88.261161, 43.080539)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

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
25.82 L · about $25.72
Round trip
$51.44
13.64 gal · 51.64 L
Estimated CO2
60.6 kg one way
Round trip: 121.2 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Pewaukee and La Crosse. The current time is 22:33:27.

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.