How far is Waupun, WI from La Crosse, WI?

The driving distance from Waupun, WI to La Crosse, WI is about 150.9 miles (242.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.9 miles (202.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
150.88 mi
02h 37m
Flight
125.88 mi
202.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Waupun.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.88 mi
Kilometers
202.58 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.88 mi
Kilometers
242.81 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Return by in Waupun
Thu, Apr 23, 8:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Waupun
2026-04-23T03:04
Arrive La Crosse
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Waupun
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Lemonweir
WI

Town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States

From Waupun
75.2 mi
01h 18m
To La Crosse
75.7 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Waupun and La Crosse.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waupun and La Crosse.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Fox Lake Road

    3147 ft · 53 sec · Fox Lake Road

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 68

    8.7 mi · 13 min · State Highway 68

  4. 4

    Continue on East State Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East State Street

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 33

    27.2 mi · 40 min · State Highway 33

  6. 6

    Continue on East Cook Street

    4.9 mi · 7 min · East Cook Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right

    2038 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    60.2 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

    39.1 mi · 42 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska

    1636 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left

    4.9 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Losey Boulevard North

    2575 ft · 2 min · Losey Boulevard North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 16th Street South

    1.3 km · 2 min · 16th Street South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Johnson Street

    1824 ft · 1 min · Johnson Street

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avenue South

    99 m · 11 sec · West Avenue South

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Waupun and La Crosse.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Cook Street
65.5 mi · 43%
I 90 West
39.1 mi · 26%
State Highway 33
27.2 mi · 18%
State Highway 68
8.7 mi · 6%
East State Street
1.02 mi · 1%
East Main Street
0.97 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Cook Street

Merge slight left

60.2 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
125.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lemonweir
01h 18m from Waupun
Leave By
1:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Waupun and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Waupun to La Crosse?

The road trip is about 150.9 miles (242.8 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Lemonweir is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.2 miles from Waupun and 75.7 miles from La Crosse.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 125.9 miles (202.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 1:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.06 one way or $40.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Waupun and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Crosse.

Stop Ideas Near Lemonweir

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lemonweir, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lemonweir.

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

26 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

44 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Tomah

45 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Portage

51 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Waupun and La Crosse. Straight-line distance: 125.88 mi (202.58 km).

Waupun

#1 Waupun

City in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties, Wisconsin, United States of America

Population1,346
Coordinates43.6333200, -88.7295500
Altitude272
CountryUnited States
La Crosse

#2 La Crosse

The most populous city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.

Population51,163
Coordinates43.8013600, -91.2395800
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-88.72955, 43.633183)
End: West Avenue South (-91.239623, 43.801338)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 243 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.32 gal
20.15 L · about $20.06
Round trip
$40.12
10.64 gal · 40.3 L
Estimated CO2
47.3 kg one way
Round trip: 94.6 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.06 $40.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.63 $45.25
Premium $4.65 $24.76 $49.52
Diesel $5.30 $28.22 $56.43

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

There is no time difference between Waupun and La Crosse. The current time is 03:04:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.