How far is Waupaca, WI from La Crosse, WI?
The driving distance from Waupaca, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 140.7 miles (226.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 34m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waupaca and La Crosse.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waupaca and La Crosse.
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1
Start on West Fulton Street
83 m · 8 sec · West Fulton Street
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
3026 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn right onto Lakeside Parkway
1.2 km · 1 min · Lakeside Parkway
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4
Continue on CTH K
150 m · 8 sec · CTH K
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5
Continue on State Highway 22
1242 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 22
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6
Continue on Western Avenue South
1977 ft · 35 sec · Western Avenue South
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7
Continue on State Highway 22
24.2 mi · 36 min · State Highway 22
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8
Turn right onto West Main Street
763 ft · 32 sec · West Main Street
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9
Turn left onto South Cambridge Street
1 km · 1 min · South Cambridge Street
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10
Turn right onto West Bird Avenue
785 ft · 40 sec · West Bird Avenue
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11
Turn left onto State Highway 21
12.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 21
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12
Continue on Wautoma Road
2396 ft · 50 sec · Wautoma Road
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13
Continue on East Follett Drive
28.9 mi · 41 min · East Follett Drive
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14
Continue on East 3rd Street
10.9 mi · 16 min · East 3rd Street
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15
Continue on State Highway 21
11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 21
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16
Continue on East McCoy Boulevard
1684 ft · 34 sec · East McCoy Boulevard
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17
Continue on State Highway 21
640 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 21
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18
Take the exit straight
1644 ft · 42 sec
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19
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
1.2 km · 51 sec
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21
Merge slight left
38.1 mi · 41 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
1636 ft · 42 sec
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23
At the end of the road, turn left
4.9 mi · 9 min
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24
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North
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25
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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26
Turn left onto 16th Street South
1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South
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27
Turn right onto Johnson Street
1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street
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28
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South
99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waupaca 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 90 West
Merge slight left
38.1 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Waupaca and Sunny near La Crosse.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waupaca to La Crosse?
The road trip is about 140.7 miles (226.4 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Necedah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.2 miles from Waupaca and 70.5 miles from La Crosse.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.70 one way or $37.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waupaca and Sunny near La Crosse.
Stop Ideas Near Necedah
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 Necedah.
Tomah
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Westfield, WI
Wisconsin Dells
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waupaca and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 113.6 mi (182.82 km).
#1 Waupaca
City in and county seat of Waupaca County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,168 |
| Coordinates | 44.3580300, -89.0859500 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| 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: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.70 | $37.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.09 | $42.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.08 | $46.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.31 | $52.62 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.