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There are 4 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to La Crosse. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to La Crosse usually takes around 4 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 175 mi (282 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $37.00 |
| Trips per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Megabus |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Average score for buses from Milwaukee to La Crosse
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: On time, quick & easy to load luggage, staff (both at ticket counter & busdriver) was courteous & helpful. Cons: Kind of hemmed in as of Madison stop (window seat made it difficult to get to bathroom), but I don’t really think you can do anything about that. Tips: Try to put everything you can in the checked bag, since space is a bit tight once you’re on bus.
4.0
Pros: It went by really quick and the bus driver was entertaining. Cons: More space for feet room.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Milwaukee to La Crosse that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Megabus usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 3h 38m | $37.00 |
| Megabus | 2 | 4h 48m | $48.49 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee to La Crosse from $37. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee to La Crosse and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to La Crosse. In Milwaukee, Jefferson Lines departs to La Crosse from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave . In La Crosse, Jefferson Lines arrives at 314 Jay St and one other station.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee to La Crosse takes 3 hours and 38 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to La Crosse in 3 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to La Crosse.
Book Megabus from Milwaukee to La Crosse from $43. There are 2 trips per day offered by Megabus from Milwaukee to La Crosse and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to La Crosse. In Milwaukee, Megabus departs to La Crosse from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave . In La Crosse, Megabus arrives at 601 St Andrew St and one other station.
An average trip on Megabus from Milwaukee to La Crosse takes 4 hours and 48 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to La Crosse in 3 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Megabus offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to La Crosse.
The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 175 miles from Milwaukee to La Crosse. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 35 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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 La Crosse. 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00am. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to La Crosse, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to La Crosse 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 Milwaukee to La Crosse without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Milwaukee to La Crosse; ticket prices start at $28.00.
Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.
Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.
The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.
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.
Image credit: Payton Chung
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionThe Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
Buses arrive in La Crosse at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
University of Wisconsin
601 St Andrew St
314 Jay St
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