La Crosse to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

608.4 miles 979.2 km · straight line
730.1 miles estimated 1175 km · driving distance
14h 41min estimated drive time
$70 - $86 estimated fuel cost
~1h 43min flight time
275° W bearing direction

How far is La Crosse from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from La Crosse to Mount Rushmore is 608.4 miles (979.2 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located W of La Crosse. By car, the driving distance is approximately 730.1 miles, taking about 14h 41min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 43min. Both are located in United States — La Crosse in Wisconsin and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for La Crosse and Mount Rushmore. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from La Crosse to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 14h 41min $70 - $86 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 43min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~17h 37min $58–$110* Budget
Train ~19h 5min $88–$256* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between La Crosse & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

La Crosse
43.80°N, 91.24°W
America/Chicago
204m elevation
Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Explore more routes from Mount Rushmore

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 203 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 51 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 40.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients