There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to La Crosse by train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, plane, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to La Crosse Amtrak Stationtrain Empire Builder / ...
4h 59m$150–240Drive 282 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to La Crossecar 282 mi
4h 41m$49–70Bus via Milwaukee
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Stationbus Greyhound US0150
- Take the bus from Milwaukee to La Crossebus Jefferson Lines 966
6h 20m$64–99Fly
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to La Crosse (LSE)plane ORD - LSE
3h 19m$56–278Bus
- Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus Van Galder
- Take the bus from Madison to La Crossebus Jefferson Lines 966
7h$61–109
Chicago to La Crosse by train (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to La Crosse is to drive which costs $45 - $70 and takes 4h 41m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to La Crosse is to fly which takes 3h 19m and costs $55 - $280.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to La Crosse. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at La Crosse via Milwaukee. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 20m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Chicago Union Station station and arriving at La Crosse Amtrak Station station. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 59m.
The distance between Chicago and La Crosse is 282 miles. The road distance is 283.7 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to La Crosse without a car is to train which takes 4h 59m and costs $150 - $240.
The train from Chicago Union Station to La Crosse Amtrak Station takes 4h 59m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Chicago to La Crosse bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to La Crosse train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to La Crosse is to train which takes 4h 59m and costs $150 - $240. Alternatively, you can bus via Milwaukee, which costs $60 - $100 and takes 6h 20m, you could also fly, which costs $55 - $280 and takes 3h 19m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and La Crosse, WI, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to La Crosse Amtrak Station 3 times a day. Tickets cost $150–240 and the journey takes 4h 59m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to La Crosse via Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Milwaukee in around 6h 20m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to La Crosse
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to La Crosse Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 59m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $150–240
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $16–25
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Milwaukee Intermodal Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $14–22
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Milwaukee to La Crosse
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $50–75
Bus from Madison to La Crosse
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $35–55
- Phone
- +1 (866) 912 - 6224
- [email protected]
- Website
- Rockland Coaches
Bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $25–55
- Schedules at
- Rockland Coaches
- Adult
- $25–55
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Chicago to La Crosse bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Milwaukee Intermodal Station.
Chicago to La Crosse train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at La Crosse Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to La Crosse is 284 miles. It takes approximately 4h 41m to drive from Chicago to La Crosse.
Book your Chicago to La Crosse train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Chicago to La Crosse bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 46+ hotels available in La Crosse.