Origin
Big Flats, WI
Afternoon in Big Flats on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Flats, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
119.7 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Flats, WI
Noland Live
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Big Flats, WI to Eau Claire, WI is 119.7 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 94 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes place within the Midwest, staying within Wisconsin for its entirety. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip between these two points. Expect a predominantly high-speed drive that allows you to cover ground efficiently. Given the short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.8 miles from Big Flats, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 72 mi | 1h 17m |
| State Highway 21 | 24.6 mi | 34m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 13 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 72 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Flats, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH C
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
CTH C
2
Turn left onto WI 13
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 13
3
Turn right onto WI 21
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 21
4
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
5
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
6
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 94
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
11
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
12
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
13
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
14
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
15
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
16
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
17
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip of under 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Eau Claire with plenty of the day to spare. You won't need to plan for extensive stops; perhaps one quick break for fuel or a snack is sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 94 is 72 miles, and it’s always wise to top off before entering such a segment, especially given the estimated fuel cost of $19 for the trip.
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 59.8 miles from Big Flats, WI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.8 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
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 Flats, 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 Flats, WI
This is one driving day of about 119.7 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Big Flats, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 72 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.8 miles from Big Flats, 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 72 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 41.9 and 116.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
41.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
42.2 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
114.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m 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
4
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
US 53 Business / South Hastings Way
Take the exit onto US 53 Business / South Hastings Way toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.71 one way
$37.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.55 | $41.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.04 | $46.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.43 | $52.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
| Efficient EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.76 | $7.66 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of the drive taking place on high-speed roads like I 94. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 72 miles on I 94, which means you can settle in for a consistent pace. The initial part of the drive involves State Highway 21 before merging onto the interstate. Later segments will transition onto East 3rd Street as you approach Eau Claire. The character is largely about efficient travel on well-maintained highways, with minimal time spent on slower local roads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 21. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 41.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 119.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 41.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 119.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eau Claire, WI before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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