This formation lies to the north-northwest of the prominent crater Endymion, just beyond the eastern extreme of Mare Frigoris.

The perimeter of De La Rue is a disintegrated mass of hills, irregular ground, and notches from old craters.

The rim is generally rounded along the northwest half, while a formation to the southeast intrudes into the crater resulting in a somewhat straightened wall along that flank.

Near the midpoint of the relatively flat interior floor is the bowl-shaped satellite crater De La Rue J.

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to De La Rue.