Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
182.6 mi
294 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Black Creek, WI
Wikimedia Commons
This 182.6-mile drive from Eau Claire, WI, to Black Creek, WI, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day journey, with a modest estimated fuel cost of $29. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on WI 29, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 156.1 miles. Given its Midwest origins and destination, expect a familiar landscape as you travel within Wisconsin.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.3 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 156.1 mi | 3h |
| State Highway 47 | 17 mi | 25m |
| US 53 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| River Prairie Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Madison Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Black Creek, WI.
Start on East Grand Avenue
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
Turn right onto East Madison Street
Continue on Germania Street
Continue on Birch Street
Continue on River Prairie Drive
Turn left
Merge onto US 53
Take the exit
Merge onto WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto WI 47
Continue on WI 47
Turn left onto WI 54
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of under four hours, this trip is best tackled in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll likely only need one significant stop, so plan it around the longest stretch on WI 29, around the 156-mile mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you near the end of the WI 29 segment, to ensure you reach Black Creek without needing an unplanned refill. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, so factor that into your budget before you set off.
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.
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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Black Creek, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, WI
This is one driving day of about 182.6 miles and 3h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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.
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91.3 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WI 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 165 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29 toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WI 47, WI 117: Bonduel, Appleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$28.55 one way
$57.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.34 | $62.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.14 | $70.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.32 | $80.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
| Efficient EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73 | 0 | $25.56 | $11.69 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Black Creek on Saturday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
64°F
Athens, WI
91 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Prepare for a highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of the drive taking place on major roads like WI 29, State Highway 47, and US 53. The majority of your travel will be on WI 29, offering a consistent pace for the longest stretch of 156.1 miles. This setup means you'll encounter fewer town slowdowns and more open road, allowing for steady progress. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and State Highway 47. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 182.6 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Black Creek, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Green Bay and Appleton.
Madison
Green Bay
Appleton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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