How far is South Milwaukee, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from South Milwaukee, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 220.8 miles (355.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m 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 26m.
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.
Human settlement in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Milwaukee and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Milwaukee and La Crosse.
-
1
Start on 10th Avenue
13 m · 9 sec · 10th Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Milwaukee Avenue
2910 ft · 2 min · Milwaukee Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto 15th Avenue
1615 ft · 1 min · 15th Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto East Rawson Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · East Rawson Avenue
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 North, I 94 West
2663 ft · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · North-South Freeway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
3138 ft · 49 sec
-
8
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
4.2 mi · 6 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
937 ft · 16 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
3267 ft · 56 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
665 ft · 11 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29.1 mi · 31 min
-
17
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39.1 mi · 42 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
-
20
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
-
21
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
-
22
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
-
24
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
-
25
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Milwaukee 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.
Rain Showers leaving South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 220.8 miles (355.3 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Dekorra is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110 miles from South Milwaukee and 110.8 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.2 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.38 one way or $58.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around South Milwaukee and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Rain And Snow Showers near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Dekorra
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 Dekorra.
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
Columbus
Madison, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Milwaukee and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 180.55 mi (290.56 km).
#1 South Milwaukee
City in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Population | 20,673 |
| Coordinates | 42.9105700, -87.8606400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.38 | $58.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.13 | $66.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.32 | $82.64 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.