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La Crosse to Madison bus

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La Crosse - Madison Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from La Crosse to Madison. Traveling by bus from La Crosse to Madison usually takes around 3 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance105 mi (169 km)
Shortest duration2h 15m
Cheapest price$25.00
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceMegabus
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from La Crosse to Madison

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Delon

October 29, 2023- Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: It feels good to use mass transit for these kinds of weekend visits. Tips: Arrive at least 15 min. ahead of time, and be prepared for buses to leave 10-15 min. after the designated time. Drivers usually make up time during transit.

4.0

Kimberly

November 25, 2022- Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: Friendly bus driver and funny. Cons: More room too confine not enough leg room. Tips: N/A.

5.0

Delon

October 16, 2022- Solo travel

Jefferson Lines

Pros: It was nice to have someone else drive in sketchy weather. Cons: There was a concern about "over-booking" at the beginning. It would be good to make sure each ticketed passenger is ensured their ride. I'm hoping Jefferson is not falling too deeply into the "overbooking" pit. Tips: Keep in mind the drivers for Jefferson are doing their best to provide a quality transportation experience.

5.0

Sara

March 11, 2022- Solo travel

Jefferson Lines

Pros: the bus was clean and comfortable. Cons: nothing. Tips: no.

5.0

Ronald

September 6, 2019- Visiting family

Jefferson Lines

Pros: Nice and clean bus, and professional driver. Cons: Show movies. Better mark all bus stops. There were zero markings in La Crosse. Tips: Jefferson bus lines is wonderful!

Price trends for buses from La Crosse to Madison

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

What bus companies travel from La Crosse to Madison?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from La Crosse to Madison that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Megabus usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines22h 18m$25.00
Megabus23h 26m$30.99

  • Book Jefferson Lines from La Crosse to Madison from $25. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from La Crosse to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In La Crosse, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from University of Wisconsin and one other station. In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from La Crosse to Madison takes 2 hours and 18 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 2 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Madison.

  • Book Megabus from La Crosse to Madison from $29. There are 2 trips per day offered by Megabus from La Crosse to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Madison. In La Crosse, Megabus departs to Madison from 601 St Andrew St and one other station. In Madison, Megabus arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .

    An average trip on Megabus from La Crosse to Madison takes 3 hours and 26 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Madison in 2 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Megabus offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Madison.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 105 miles from La Crosse to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Madison. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 2:00pm and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from La Crosse to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from La Crosse to Madison every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from La Crosse to Madison without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from La Crosse to Madison; ticket prices start at $30.00.

City Information

La Crosse

La Crosse, WI - LSE-0

Image credit: Unsplash

La Crosse, WI - LSE-1

Image credit: Carl Wycoff

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La Crosse, WI - LSE-2

Image credit: Unsplash

A busy college town blessed with lush and beautiful green zones, La Crosse is one of the best places to just chill out and unwind. The city's star attraction is the Grandad Bluff, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city and the Mississippi River. Hiking up the hill will certainly be a challenge, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile. While staying in the city, don't miss out on the chance to go on a cruise aboard the La Crosse Queen, a replica paddle steamer, and unwind while enjoying the sunset. For some family fun, head over to the Children's Museum of La Crosse.

La Crosse does have a pretty reputable food scene, with a strong focus on beers and cheese curds. For an upscale dining experience with the best local dishes, The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern is a local favorite that has a stellar reputation. Or head to the Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery for a combination of good foods and drinks.

La Crosse is easily accessible by bus or train, and regional flights operate out of the La Crosse Municipal Airport.

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in La Crosse?

Main departure station: University of Wisconsin

Buses to Madison leave from 3 stations in La Crosse.

All bus stations in La Crosse:

  • University of Wisconsin

  • 601 St Andrew St

  • 314 Jay St

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Madison.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

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