Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Chilton, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
205.6 mi
331 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 14m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chilton, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chilton to Eau Claire is 205.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m via US Highway 10 and I-94, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving you across the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, so it's a good option for a single-day trip without too 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
102.8 miles from Chilton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 10 | 143.7 mi | 2h 59m |
| I 94 | 17 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 114 | 12.4 mi | 19m |
| North Madison Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| US 10 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Tri-County Expressway | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Division Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 10
— 143.7 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,424 veh/hr typical · worst 1,858
Quietest
1 AM
~56 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Chilton, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on WI 32; WI 57
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
North Madison Street
2
Turn left onto WI 114
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on WI 114
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 114
4
Turn straight onto WI 55; WI 114
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
State Highway 55/114
5
Continue on WI 55; WI 114
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Military Road
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 55; WI 114
164 ft
·
3 sec
·
Military Road
7
Continue on WI 55; WI 114
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Avenue
8
Continue on WI 55; WI 114
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Highway 114
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 114
10
Continue on WI 114
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 114
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 114
12
Continue on WI 114
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 114
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto US 10
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Oneida Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 10
Toward WIS 441 South, US 10 West
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Merge onto US 10; WI 441
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on WI 441; US 10
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
17
Continue on WI 441; US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on US 10
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 10
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi
·
54 min
·
US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
20
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
21
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
22
Take the exit onto US 10
30 mi
·
35 min
·
US Highway 10
Exit 165
Toward US 10 West: Marshfield
23
Enter roundabout onto US 10
282 ft
·
15 sec
·
US Highway 10
24
Continue on US 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 10
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
US Highway 10
26
Merge onto US 10
21 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 10
27
Continue on US 10
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
28
Continue on US 10
31 mi
·
41 min
·
US Highway 10
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Continue on US 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
31
Merge onto I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
34
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
35
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
36
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
37
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
38
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
39
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
40
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
With a driving time under 4.5 hours and a fuel cost around $32, this is a perfectly manageable one-day trip. To make the most of it, aim to depart in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. The longest stretch of 143.7 miles on US Highway 10 means you can cover a significant distance before needing to stop. Plan for one main break, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. Since the majority of the drive is on highways, watch for the signs indicating transitions back to surface roads as you get closer to Eau Claire.
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 102.8 miles from Chilton, WI, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.7 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 38m
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 Chilton, 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 Chilton, WI
This is one driving day of about 205.6 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Chilton, 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 US Highway 10 for about 143.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.8 miles from Chilton, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.7 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.
Speedway
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Stevens Point Brewery | Tap Room & Gift Shop
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+17153449310
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 200.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
WI 55; WI 114 / Military Road
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 55; WI 114 / Military Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
23 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 10 / South Oneida Street
Turn right onto US 10 / South Oneida Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
24.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward WIS 441 South, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward WIS 441 South, US 10 West
5
24.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 10; WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway
Merge onto US 10; WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
200.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.30 one way
$68.59 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $37.28 | $74.55 |
| premium | $5.26 | $42.57 | $85.14 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $50.02 | $100.03 |
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: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.59 | $9.87 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.99 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.78 | $13.16 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Chilton, WI
Morning in Chilton on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
65°F
Stockton, WI
103 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 90% highway driving, so expect a lot of time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch is 143.7 miles on US Highway 10. You'll transition to surface roads later in the trip, likely around where State Highway 114 comes into play. With such a high highway percentage, you'll notice a consistent flow of traffic and relatively few stops until you reach the end.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.7 mi on US Highway 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in near WI 55; WI 114 / Military Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 205.6 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 14.9 miles (WI 55; WI 114 / Military Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23 miles (US 10 / South Oneida Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,297 ft
780 ft
Total Climb
534 ft
Total Descent
646 ft
Highest Point
1,297 ft
~132.2 mi in
Elevation Range
517 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.
On the drive from Chilton, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Wis 441 South along the way.
Wis 441 South
24.5 mi in
|
~39m
|
via US 10
About the Cities
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 26m. Total distance: 205.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.7 miles on US Highway 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles (WI 55; WI 114 / Military Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23 miles (US 10 / South Oneida Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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