Where is La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is La Crosse Located? - La Crosse is a city located in the La Crosse County of Wisconsin, United States. La Crosse lies between 38.9806557 Degrees North latitudes and 77.5281723 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of La Crosse, Wisconsin

Where is La Crosse, Wisconsin

La Crosse Map, Wisconsin, USA

Where is La Crosse?: The Google Map showing the location of La Crosse in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

Where is La Crosse Located?

La Crosse is a city located in the La Crosse County of Wisconsin, United States. La Crosse lies between 38.9806557 Degrees North latitudes and 77.5281723 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of La Crosse city is 52680 people and the city has a total area of 21.71 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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La Crosse, Wisconsin Quick Facts

Property Details
CityLa Crosse
CountyLa Crosse County
StateWisconsin
State CapitalMadison
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude43.8138° N
Longitude91.2519° W
Elevation656 ft (200 m)
Land Area22.18 sq mi
Water Area1.52 sq mi
Total Area23.70 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)52,680
Population DensityApproximately 2,375 per sq mi
ZIP Codes54601, 54602, 54603
Area Code608
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code55-40775
Congressional DistrictWisconsin's 3rd Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in La Crosse

Category Details
Nearest AirportLa Crosse Regional Airport
IATA CodeLSE
Major HighwaysInterstate 90, U.S. Highway 14, U.S. Highway 61, Wisconsin Highway 16
Public TransitLa Crosse MTU Bus Service
Rail ServiceAmtrak Empire Builder
River TransportationMississippi River commercial navigation and recreation
  • Interstate 90: Connects La Crosse with Madison, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and Chicago via regional highways.
  • La Crosse Regional Airport: Provides scheduled passenger service with connections to major U.S. hubs.
  • Amtrak Empire Builder: Offers daily passenger rail service between Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland.
  • Mississippi River: Supports commercial barge traffic, river tourism, and recreational boating.

Top Places to Visit in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Landmark Name Type
Grandad BluffScenic Overlook
Riverside ParkCity Park
Shrine of Our Lady of GuadalupeReligious Site
Children's Museum of La CrosseMuseum
Riverside International Friendship GardensBotanical Garden
Pettibone ParkPark
Hixon ForestNature Preserve
Dahl Auto MuseumAutomobile Museum
Mississippi River WaterfrontScenic Area
Great River State TrailRecreation Trail

Driving Distances from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Nearby Cities

City State Distance (mi) Approx. Drive Time
OnalaskaWisconsin610 minutes
La CrescentMinnesota510 minutes
WinonaMinnesota3135 minutes
SpartaWisconsin2530 minutes
TomahWisconsin4650 minutes
RochesterMinnesota721 hour 15 minutes
Eau ClaireWisconsin861 hour 30 minutes
MadisonWisconsin1422 hours 20 minutes
MinneapolisMinnesota1502 hours 30 minutes
MilwaukeeWisconsin2103 hours 20 minutes

Colleges and Universities near La Crosse, Wisconsin

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of Wisconsin–La CrossePublicUniversityHealth sciences, education, business, and research
Viterbo UniversityPrivateUniversityNursing, education, liberal arts, and business
Western Technical CollegePublicTechnical CollegeCareer education, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT programs
Winona State UniversityPublicUniversityEducation, business, nursing, and science programs
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaPrivateUniversityLiberal arts, business, and graduate studies

Waterbodies in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Mississippi River, Black River, La Crosse River, Lake Onalaska, French Island Slough, Goose Island, Pettibone Lagoon, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Stadiums in La Crosse

Veterans Memorial Stadium, Roger Harring Stadium, Copeland Park, UW-La Crosse Soccer Stadium, Logan High School Athletic Complex

La Crosse, Wisconsin — Key Historical Facts

  • La Crosse was founded in the mid-nineteenth century and became an important center for the lumber industry due to its strategic location on the Mississippi River.
  • The arrival of railroads in the late 1800s strengthened the city's role as a regional transportation and commercial hub.
  • During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, La Crosse diversified its economy through manufacturing, brewing, and trade.
  • The establishment and growth of higher education institutions, including the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, contributed significantly to the city's development.
  • Today, La Crosse is recognized for its riverfront, healthcare sector, outdoor recreation, and vibrant downtown in Wisconsin's Driftless Area.

References

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