Origin
La Crosse, WI
Evening in La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Friendship, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
91.7 mi
148 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Friendship, WI
Gustavo Fring
Trip Overview
This 91.7-mile drive from La Crosse, WI to Friendship, WI is an easy, one-day road trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 88% of your time on major roads, making it a quick journey between these two Midwest locations. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $14, which is quite budget-friendly. With no specific stops recommended in the data, this route is ideal for those who prefer a direct journey without planned breaks, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 88% of the 91.7 miles on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55.1 miles, likely on I-90, offering a consistent pace. While the profile suggests a highway focus, the route incorporates State Highways 21 and 80, which may offer a slight change in scenery and driving feel after the interstate sections. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and potentially more local road characteristics as you near your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 58m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
6
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
WI 80 / State Highway 80
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80
Navigation decision point
4
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
CTH N / County Road N
Turn right onto CTH N / County Road N
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Friendship, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 55.1 mi | 59m |
| State Highway 21 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| County Road N | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| County Road J | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 55.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Friendship, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
4.5 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9
Keep slight left at fork
91 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn left onto WI 80
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Bridge Street
11
Continue on WI 80
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 80
12
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 80
13
Continue on WI 80
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street
15
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
16
Turn right onto CTH N
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road N
17
Turn left onto CTH J
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road J
18
Continue on CTH J
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Lake Street
19
Turn right onto WI 13
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Main Street
20
Turn right onto West 4th Street
152 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 4th Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 58-minute duration for this 91.7-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day at your destination in Friendship, WI. The $14 fuel cost is minimal, so you shouldn't need to worry too much about refueling stops, though it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge. Since the longest stretch is over 55 miles, plan for a brief stop before that if you tend to need breaks during longer highway segments. Pay attention to the transition from I-90 to State Highway 21 and then State Highway 80 as you approach Friendship.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.8 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friendship, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Crosse, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.8 mi from La Crosse, WI · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.8 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Friendship, WI
The final approach into Friendship, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.34 one way
$28.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.74 | $31.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.65 | $35.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.25 | $40.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.63 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.84 | $5.87 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Friendship, WI
Evening in Friendship on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Friendship, WI covers 91.7 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 21, State Highway 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.8 miles from La Crosse, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 58m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Friendship, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
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