How far is Rochester, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Rochester, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 209.5 miles (337.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester and La Crosse.
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1
Start on West Main Street
85 m · 10 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Front Street
1752 ft · 60 sec · North Front Street
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3
Continue on North Browns Lake Drive
893 ft · 25 sec · North Browns Lake Drive
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4
Continue on South Jefferson Street
1153 ft · 39 sec · South Jefferson Street
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5
Turn left onto Ela Avenue
1219 ft · 33 sec · Ela Avenue
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6
Continue on Buena Park Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Buena Park Road
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7
Turn left onto High Drive
1895 ft · 40 sec · High Drive
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8
Turn straight onto Northwest Highway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Northwest Highway
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9
Continue on State Highway 83
1511 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 83
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10
Continue on South Rochester Street
3.3 mi · 7 min · South Rochester Street
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11
Continue on State Highway 83
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 83
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
30 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83
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13
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1.3 km · 1 min · State Highway 83
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
31 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83
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15
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 83
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
39 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83
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17
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
2.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 83
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
41 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83
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19
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1568 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 83
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20
Continue on South Wales Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Wales Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Summit Avenue
54 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue
565 ft · 14 sec · West Summit Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Summit Avenue
21 m · 4 sec · West Summit Avenue
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24
Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue
125 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue
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25
Continue on US Highway 18
1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 18
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26
Turn right onto County Highway C
2.8 mi · 5 min · County Highway C
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27
Take the ramp left toward I 94 West
1824 ft · 45 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
44.8 mi · 48 min · East-West Freeway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29.1 mi · 31 min
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30
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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31
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39.1 mi · 42 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
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33
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
-
34
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
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35
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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36
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
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37
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
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38
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester and La Crosse.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rochester and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rochester to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 209.5 miles (337.2 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105 miles from Rochester and 104.5 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.5 miles (271.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 41 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 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.87 one way or $55.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rochester and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Portage
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Portage.
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 168.44 mi (271.07 km).
#1 Rochester
Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 3,880 |
| Coordinates | 42.7414100, -88.2242600 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Crosse
The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 51,163 |
| Coordinates | 43.8013600, -91.2395800 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 337 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.87 | $55.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.43 | $62.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.39 | $68.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.20 | $78.39 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.