It runs east–west in southwest Wisconsin from just north of Richland Center to Genoa.

On some maps, it is listed as ending inside Richland Center, instead of just north of it.

In Genoa, Wisconsin, WIS 56 begins at a non-signaled intersection with WIS 25, going northerly through town, before climbing the hill on the west side of town, not far from La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor.

When this concurrency ends, WIS 56 continues straight along the road to Viola, Wisconsin.

About six miles (9.7 km) later, it enters the village of Viola, Wisconsin.