Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Barton, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
221.3 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barton, WI
Egor Komarov
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Barton to Eau Claire is 221.3 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 94, I 90, and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive across Wisconsin's Midwest landscape, primarily sticking to major highways. Given its relatively short distance and focused highway profile, it's a very manageable one-day trip. You'll likely find it a convenient way to connect these two points within the state without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110.7 miles from Barton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 60.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| State Highway 33 | 26.3 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| West Cook Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Washington Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,456 veh/hr typical · worst 2,263
Quietest
2 AM
~193 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barton, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Monroe Street
259 ft
·
13 sec
·
Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto Commerce Street
369 ft
·
20 sec
·
Commerce Street
3
Turn right onto WI 144
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Barton Avenue
4
Turn left onto WI 144
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
5
Turn slight right onto North 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
North 8th Avenue
6
Turn right onto WI 33; WI 144
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Washington Street
7
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
8
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 33
11
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
12
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
13
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Vine Street
14
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Barstow Street
15
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Washington Street
17
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
18
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Park Avenue
19
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
20
Merge onto US 151
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 151
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
22
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft
·
5 sec
23
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
James Street
24
Continue on WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
25
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
26
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wisconsin Street
27
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West Cook Street
28
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
29
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
33
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
34
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
35
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
36
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
37
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
38
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
39
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving Barton in the morning will give you ample time to reach Eau Claire before evening. Since it's a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you can easily tackle it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 76.1-mile stretch on I 94, as services can be spaced out. Planning your refueling before you hit that longer segment is a smart move to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 110.7 miles from Barton, WI, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 49 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.7 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eau Claire, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Barton, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barton, WI
This is one driving day of about 221.3 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Barton, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.7 miles from Barton, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Millston Rest Area 53
0.1 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Commerce Street
Turn left onto Commerce Street
Navigation decision point
6
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
8
139.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
5
215.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
6
216.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.31 one way
$68.62 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $37.62 | $75.24 |
| premium | $4.93 | $42.94 | $85.87 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $48.78 | $97.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.98 | $14.16 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Barton, WI
Late night in Barton on Sunday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Fog
NE 0 to 5 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued September 4 at 1:07PM CDT until September 5 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 4 at 3:50AM CDT until September 4 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
NNE 5 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued September 4 at 1:07PM CDT until September 5 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 4 at 3:50AM CDT until September 4 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
1 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
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 106.9
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on interstates and major state highways. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 76.1 miles on I 94. The character of the drive is largely one of efficient travel, designed for covering distance rather than exploring small towns. While the main roads are the focus, the inclusion of State Highway 33 offers a slight variation towards the end of your journey.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.1 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Commerce Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 221.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Commerce Street): Navigation decision point; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,113 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
542 ft
Total Descent
678 ft
Highest Point
1,113 ft
~15.8 mi in
Elevation Range
324 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Barton, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.
Portage
48 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Saint Paul
139.8 mi in
|
~3h
|
via I 94
About the Cities
Starting in Barton, WI
Full guide →Arriving in Eau Claire, WI
Full guide →Eau Claire (pronounced: O'Clare, French for clear water) is a city of about 62,000 in Northwest Wisconsin.
Top landmarks
- • Sacred Heart Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
- • Martin Van Buren Barron House — historic house in Wisconsin, United States
- • Brady Anderson and Waldemar Ager House — United States historic place
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 221.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.1 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Eau Claire, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Commerce Street): Navigation decision point; at 48 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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