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

The driving distance from Portage, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 108 miles (173.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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
108.02 mi
01h 39m
Flight
91.69 mi
147.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Portage.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.69 mi
Kilometers
147.56 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.02 mi
Kilometers
173.84 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 01h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 12:16 AM CDT
Return by in Portage
Sun, Apr 19, 1:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Portage
2026-04-18T22:37
Arrive North La Crosse
Sun, Apr 19, 12:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Portage
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
Camp Douglas
WI

Village in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From Portage
53.9 mi
00h 49m
To North La Crosse
54.1 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W
Destination
31°F
Tonight

Mostly Clear then Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 9:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Cook Street

    3.7 mi · 5 min · West Cook Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right

    2038 ft · 50 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    60.2 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  4. 4

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

    42.1 mi · 45 min

  5. 5

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

    1291 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Rose Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
7 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Cook Street
64.2 mi · 59%
I 90 West
42.1 mi · 39%
Rose Street
1.57 mi · 1%
US 53 South
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

West Cook Street

Merge slight left

60.2 mi · 01h 05m

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
01h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
91.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camp Douglas
00h 49m from Portage
Leave By
3:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Portage and Mostly Clear then Chance Snow Showers near North La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 108 miles (173.8 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Camp Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.9 miles from Portage and 54.1 miles from North La Crosse.

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

The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 3:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.37 one way or $28.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Portage and Mostly Clear then Chance Snow Showers near North La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Camp Douglas

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

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

Wisconsin Dells

52 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

62 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
BUS

Westfield, WI

63 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Portage and North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 91.69 mi (147.56 km).

Portage

#1 Portage

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Population10,381
Coordinates43.5391500, -89.4626200
Altitude241
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: West Cook Street (-89.462602, 43.539109)
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 174 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.81 gal
14.43 L · about $14.37
Round trip
$28.74
7.62 gal · 28.86 L
Estimated CO2
33.9 kg one way
Round trip: 67.7 kg / 149 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.37 $28.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.20 $32.41
Premium $4.65 $17.73 $35.46
Diesel $5.30 $20.21 $40.42

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 Portage and North La Crosse. The current time is 22:37:07.

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.