How far is Pine River, WI from La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Pine River, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.8 miles (196 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m 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
159.64 mi
02h 58m
Flight
121.82 mi
196.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pine River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.82 mi
Kilometers
196.05 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.64 mi
Kilometers
256.91 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 6:25 AM CDT
Return by in Pine River
Sun, Apr 19, 9:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pine River
2026-04-19T03:27
Arrive La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 6:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
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 Pine River
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
Cranmoor
WI

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

From Pine River
79.2 mi
01h 29m
To La Crosse
80.5 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Light Snow then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pine River and La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    7.6 mi · 13 min

  2. 2

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Everest Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Everest Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    2525 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison

    12.5 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 34: Knowlton, Wisconsin Rapids

    1570 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    61 m · 7 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto State Highway 34

    879 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 34

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 34

    38 m · 2 sec · State Highway 34

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 34

    9.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 34

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right

    1266 ft · 31 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 10

    3.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 10

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 34 West, WI 13 South: Wisconsin Rapids

    1767 ft · 49 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Victory Road

    15.2 mi · 22 min · Victory Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South

    2831 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 2nd Avenue South

    57 m · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  19. 19

    Continue on Wisconsin River Drive

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Wisconsin River Drive

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Letendre Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Letendre Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 54

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 54

  22. 22

    Turn left onto County Highway G

    2 mi · 3 min · County Highway G

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 173

    9.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 173

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 80

    125 m · 7 sec · State Highway 80

  25. 25

    Continue on State Highway 173

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 173

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 173

    23.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 173

  27. 27

    Turn right onto State Highway 21

    4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 21

  28. 28

    Continue on East McCoy Boulevard

    1684 ft · 34 sec · East McCoy Boulevard

  29. 29

    Continue on State Highway 21

    640 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 21

  30. 30

    Take the exit straight

    1644 ft · 42 sec

  31. 31

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea

    1.2 km · 51 sec

  33. 33

    Merge slight left

    38.1 mi · 41 min

  34. 34

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

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  35. 35

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  36. 36

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  38. 38

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  39. 39

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  40. 40

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

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pine River 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
41 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
4 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
38.8 mi · 24%
State Highway 173
34 mi · 21%
Victory Road
15.2 mi · 10%
I 39 South
12.5 mi · 8%
State Highway 34
10.1 mi · 6%
Everest Avenue
9.88 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

38.1 mi · 00h 41m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.8 mi
121.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cranmoor
01h 29m from Pine River
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Light Snow then Mostly Sunny leaving Pine River and Mostly Sunny near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pine River to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Cranmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Pine River and 80.5 miles from La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 121.8 miles (196 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 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 $21.23 one way or $42.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Snow then Mostly Sunny around Pine River and Mostly Sunny near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Cranmoor

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

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

BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

17 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
BUS

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

44 mi away
200 Division St.
BUS

Stevens Point, WI

44 mi away
2050 4th Avenue
RAIL

Tomah

52 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pine River and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 121.82 mi (196.05 km).

Pine River

#1 Pine River

Town in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States

Population1,771
Coordinates45.1341300, -89.6220700
Altitude382
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: CTH W (-89.622278, 45.134067)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.63 gal
21.32 L · about $21.23
Round trip
$42.46
11.26 gal · 42.64 L
Estimated CO2
50 kg one way
Round trip: 100.1 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.23 $42.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.94 $47.89
Premium $4.65 $26.20 $52.40
Diesel $5.30 $29.86 $59.72

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 Pine River and La Crosse. The current time is 03:27:38.

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.