Road Trips from Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire sets you up for a variety of day trips and longer drives. You've got a strong cluster of options under two hours, many of them highway-focused with flat terrain. If you're looking for something a bit more substantial, there are also longer hauls into southern Wisconsin, some hitting the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This mix means you can easily plan a quick jaunt or a more involved exploration without too much driving.
Total Routes
37
Shortest
1.3h
With Parks Nearby
21
Under 2 hours
7 total in this range
River Falls, WI
1h 20m63.4 mi one way
This 1.3-hour drive to River Falls is a solid choice for a quick escape. It's a highway-focused route with mostly flat terrain, and crucially, it has parks. It's shorter than the longer southern Wisconsin options and offers a park experience.
Star Prairie, WI
1h 32m72.2 mi one way
A 1.5-hour drive on mostly highway gets you to Star Prairie. This route is primarily flat terrain and is a good option for a day trip under two hours, similar to River Falls but without parks.
Ettrick, WI
1h 21m59.2 mi one way
At 1.4 hours, this highway-focused drive to Ettrick is similar in length to the River Falls option, but it doesn't feature parks. It's a straightforward route for a shorter trip if park access isn't a priority.
Athens, WI
1h 43m83.5 mi one way
This 1.7-hour trip to Athens is a highway drive that includes parks. It's a bit longer than the closer options like River Falls, offering a slightly more extended day trip with green space.
Ellsworth, WI
1h 25m66 mi one way
This 1.4-hour drive to Ellsworth uses mostly highway and is a good mid-range option for a day trip. It's comparable in time to Ettrick but doesn't list parks, focusing on the drive itself.
Full-day getaway
16 total in this range
Cross Plains, WI
3h 16m167.6 mi one way
For a longer excursion, Cross Plains is 3.3 hours away via a highway-focused route. It stands out by offering access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and has parks, making it a good choice for a more ambitious day trip.
Monona, WI
3h 20m180.1 mi one way
Monona is a 3.3-hour highway drive that includes parks and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This is one of the longer options, suitable for a full day of exploration into southern Wisconsin.
Dekorra, WI
3h 2m156.7 mi one way
This 3-hour highway drive to Dekorra is a good option if you want to reach the southern part of the state. It features parks and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, offering more to do than the shorter, park-less northern routes.
Belle Plaine, WI
3h 12m161.6 mi one way
Belle Plaine is a 3.2-hour drive on a highway-focused route. It's a longer day trip option that includes parks, providing a different experience than the closer, shorter drives.
Excelsior, WI
3h 7m139.7 mi one way
Weekend trip
14 total in this range
Milwaukee, WI
4h 32m246.2 mi one way
This 4.5-hour highway drive to Milwaukee is the longest option. It includes parks and access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, making it a substantial trip for those looking to go the distance.
Bohners Lake, WI
4h 54m256.6 mi one way
Bohners Lake is the furthest destination at 4.9 hours via a highway-focused route. It includes parks and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, suitable for the longest day trip available from Eau Claire.
LeRoy, WI
4h 1m200.2 mi one way
Silver Lake, WI
5h264 mi one way
Fredonia, WI
4h 56m234.7 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Milwaukee, WI
4h 32m246.2 mi one way
Cross Plains, WI
3h 16m167.6 mi one way
Bohners Lake, WI
4h 54m256.6 mi one way
Monona, WI
3h 20m180.1 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives from Eau Claire benefit from the flat terrain and nearby parks, making for pleasant, accessible outings as the weather warms.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the longer highway drives, especially those hitting the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, offering ample daylight for exploration.
Fall
The highway-focused routes are good for fall trips, providing straightforward access to destinations with parks for enjoying the changing scenery.
Winter
With mostly flat terrain and highway-focused drives, winter trips are feasible, though park access might be limited depending on conditions.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
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