How far is South Milwaukee, WI from North La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from South Milwaukee, WI to North La Crosse, WI is about 217.5 miles (350 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182 miles (292.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 21m.
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 North La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Milwaukee and North La Crosse.
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1
Start on 10th Avenue
13 m · 9 sec · 10th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Milwaukee Avenue
2910 ft · 2 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 15th Avenue
1615 ft · 1 min · 15th Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East Rawson Avenue
3.1 mi · 6 min · East Rawson Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 North, I 94 West
2663 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · North-South Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
3138 ft · 49 sec
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8
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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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
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
937 ft · 16 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
3267 ft · 56 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
665 ft · 11 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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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
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17
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
42.1 mi · 45 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
1291 ft · 37 sec
-
20
Turn left onto Rose Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Rose Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Milwaukee and North 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 North 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 North La Crosse?
The road trip is about 217.5 miles (350 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 108.6 miles from South Milwaukee and 108.9 miles from North La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182 miles (292.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.92 one way or $57.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 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 North 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 North La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 181.97 mi (292.86 km).
#1 South Milwaukee
City in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Population | 20,673 |
| Coordinates | 42.9105700, -87.8606400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North La Crosse
A city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 50,470 |
| Coordinates | 43.8463500, -91.2481900 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rose Street (-91.248268, 43.846348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.92 | $57.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.62 | $65.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.68 | $81.36 |
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.