Traveling from Big Bend to Eau Claire covers 240.3 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes, making this a manageable single-day excursion. Budget roughly $37 for fuel to complete the journey, which relies entirely on local roads rather than interstate highways. Since the route involves navigating Maple Avenue, Clark Street, and Big Bend Drive, you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the duration, a single stop is recommended to break up the travel time comfortably. It is a straightforward trip that serves well as a direct connection between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
120 miles from Big Bend, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
105.2 mi
1h 52m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
East-West Freeway
50.8 mi
54m
Les Paul Parkway
5.6 mi
9m
State Highway 164
4.1 mi
5m
Big Bend Drive
2.3 mi
4m
Meadowbrook Road
2 mi
4m
South Hastings Way
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Bend, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Jackson Parkway
30 ft·7 sec·Jackson Parkway
2
Turn left onto Maple Avenue
519 ft·24 sec·Maple Avenue
3
Turn right onto WI 164
0.3 mi·45 sec·Clark Street
4
Continue on WI 164
2.3 mi·4 min·Big Bend Drive
5
Continue on WI 164
4.1 mi·5 min·State Highway 164
6
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·23 sec
7
Turn left onto US 18; WI 59
5.6 mi·9 min·Les Paul Parkway
8
Continue on WI 318
2.0 mi·4 min·Meadowbrook Road
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward I 94 WestUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 94
51 mi·54 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
16
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
17
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
18
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
19
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
20
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
21
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
22
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 48 minute journey, aim for a departure time that avoids peak local traffic patterns. Since the route is entirely local, factor in extra time for the frequent turns and intersections you will encounter along Maple Avenue and Clark Street. Plan at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the constant steering required on this turn-heavy route can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep your $37 fuel budget in mind and try to fill up before leaving Big Bend to ensure a smooth transition onto the local road network. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a quick break to maintain your focus.
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 120 miles from Big Bend, WI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 53 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 18m 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 41m
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 Big Bend, 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 Big Bend, WI
This is one driving day of about 239.9 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Big Bend, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 234.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.7 mi into trip|~25m in
Turn left toward I 94 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 94 West
9
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
158.4 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
6
234.7 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
$37.51 one way
$75.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.18
$82.36
premium
$4.89
$46.17
$92.33
diesel
$5.61
$52.97
$105.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72
0
$25.19
$11.52
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.99
$9.60
EV Truck/SUV
96
1
$33.59
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Big Bend, WI
Late night
in Big Bend on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Late night
in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Because the route has a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 240.3 miles navigating local roads rather than high-speed interstates. This creates a more technical driving experience where you must pay close attention to changing road conditions along Big Bend Drive and other local connectors. You won't find long, monotonous stretches here, as the path requires consistent focus through various turns. It is a practical alternative for those who prefer local roads over the predictability of major freeways.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 14.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 239.9 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: at 14.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 65.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.9 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Big Bend, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 239.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 65.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.9 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
