Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Cudahy, 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

4h 42m

Distance

251.5 mi

405 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 29m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States

Cudahy, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties in Wisconsin, United States, that is the county seat of Eau Claire County

Eau Claire, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 251.8-mile drive from Cudahy, Wisconsin, to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is estimated to take about 3 hours and 47 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate through local roads like South Kingan Avenue, East Plankinton Avenue, and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $38. Given the route's profile as a turn-heavy local drive, plan for a more engaged driving experience. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent regional feel.

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

125.7 miles from Cudahy, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 105.2 mi 1h 52m
East-West Freeway 71 mi 1h 19m
I 90 63.5 mi 1h 8m
Lake Freeway 2.3 mi 3m
John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
South Hastings Way 1.6 mi 3m
US 53 1.3 mi 1m
South Kinnickinnic Avenue 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cudahy, WI and Eau Claire, WI.

1

Start on this road

303 ft · 24 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto South Kingan Avenue

167 ft · 12 sec · South Kingan Avenue
3

Turn left onto East Plankinton Avenue

463 ft · 12 sec · East Plankinton Avenue
4

Continue on South Kinnickinnic Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Kinnickinnic Avenue
5

Turn left onto East Howard Avenue

0.3 mi · 45 sec · East Howard Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 45 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Turn straight onto WI 794

2.3 mi · 3 min · John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
8

Continue on I 794

2.3 mi · 3 min · Lake Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 794

0.4 mi · 33 sec · East-West Freeway
10

Continue on I 794

17 mi · 21 min · East-West Freeway
Exit 1A Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 31 min · I 94
Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
17

Merge onto US 53

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 53
18

Take the exit onto US 53 Business

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
19

Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
20

Continue on Harding Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Harding Avenue
21

Continue on Washington Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Washington Street
22

Turn right onto South Farwell Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Farwell Street
23

Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

35 ft · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

East Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

Consider an early morning departure from Cudahy to make the most of your 3-hour and 47-minute drive to Eau Claire, especially since it's a turn-heavy local route. With one stop recommended, you can easily break up the 251.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways, and budget approximately $38 for fuel. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to GPS or map directions when transitioning between South Kingan Avenue, East Plankinton Avenue, and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, as these initial turns are key to staying on track.

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 125.7 miles from Cudahy, WI, or about 2h 23m 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.7 miles or 2h 23m 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 49m

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 Cudahy, 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 Cudahy, WI

This is one driving day of about 251.5 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Cudahy, 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.

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

126 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.

Popular next leg

Lake Wisconsin, WI to Eau Claire, WI

160.7 mi · 3h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.7 miles from Cudahy, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. | Bay View

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14144890765

Visit website

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

2.8 mi

Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. | Bay View

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14144890765

Visit website

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.9

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.8 and 246.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
23.8 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 94 / East-West Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
77.4 mi into trip | ~1h 31m 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
106.5 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
169.9 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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
246.2 mi into trip | ~4h 32m 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

$39.32 one way

$78.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.17 $86.34
premium $4.89 $48.40 $96.80
diesel $5.61 $55.53 $111.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.5 0 $26.41 $12.07
Efficient EV 62.9 0 $22.01 $10.06
EV Truck/SUV 100.6 1 $35.21 $16.10

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 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 16, 2026

Origin

Cudahy, WI

Night in Cudahy on Saturday

Local time

11:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eau Claire, WI

Night in Eau Claire on Saturday

Local time

11:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Sunny

S 0 to 10 mph 2% chance 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

30 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 42m 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

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 138.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 251.8-mile journey, as the highway share is 0%. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads, including South Kingan Avenue, East Plankinton Avenue, and South Kinnickinnic Avenue, rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. Without any significant highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted driving period will be dictated by the local road network, likely involving frequent turns and varying speed limits. This route demands constant attention to navigation and surroundings.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.8 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 251.5 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 23.8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 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 Cudahy, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.

Saint Paul

169.9 mi in | ~3h 10m | via I 94

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 251.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 23.8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Eau Claire, WI

Silver Lake, WI 264 mi · 5h Bohners Lake, WI 256.6 mi · 4h 54m Milwaukee, WI 246.2 mi · 4h 32m Lake Geneva, WI 244.5 mi · 4h 38m

More from Cudahy, WI

Stevens Point, WI 160.8 mi · 3h 13m City of Janesville, WI 73.6 mi · 1h 36m Milwaukee, WI 6.5 mi · 12m

More trips to Eau Claire, WI

Caledonia, WI 260.3 mi Egg Harbor, WI 255.9 mi Oostburg, WI 255.4 mi Rochester, WI 245.2 mi Lake Geneva, WI 244 mi Butler, WI 239.9 mi
Escape planner: Cudahy, WI Scenic drives in WI

Explore more options from Cudahy, WI or browse trips ending in Eau Claire, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.