How far is Waukesha, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Waukesha, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Town in Wisconsin, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukesha and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukesha and La Crosse.
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1
Start on West Main Street
18 m · 3 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto West Broadway
550 ft · 13 sec · West Broadway
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3
Continue on Madison Street
715 ft · 25 sec · Madison Street
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4
Turn slight right onto Delafield Street
2244 ft · 1 min · Delafield Street
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5
Continue on Delafield Street
1 mi · 3 min · Delafield Street
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6
Continue on Northview Street
645 ft · 16 sec · Northview Street
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7
Turn straight onto Northview Road
2058 ft · 50 sec · Northview Road
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8
Turn slight right
76 m · 11 sec
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9
Turn right onto North Grandview Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Grandview Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto I 94 West
2251 ft · 57 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
52.3 mi · 56 min · East-West Freeway
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12
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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13
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
39.1 mi · 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
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17
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
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18
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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19
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
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20
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukesha 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 Waukesha and Slight Chance Rain Showers then 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 Waukesha to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Lewiston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from Waukesha and 100.3 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.6 miles (258.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.1 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.32 one way or $52.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukesha and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Lewiston
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 Lewiston.
Wisconsin Dells
Portage
Westfield, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukesha and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 160.54 mi (258.36 km).
#1 Waukesha
City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 8,939 |
| Coordinates | 43.0116800, -88.2314800 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| 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: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.69 | $59.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.48 | $64.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.02 | $74.04 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.