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Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Cedarburg, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

236 mi

380 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 44m

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

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

city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States

Cedarburg, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Eau Claire to Cedarburg is 236 miles and takes about 4h 51m via I 94 and State Highways, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day. Plan for a relatively quick transit between these two Wisconsin cities.

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

118 miles from Eau Claire, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 136.4 mi 2h 26m
State Highway 16 22.6 mi 31m
State Highway 33 21.2 mi 30m
US 151 13.4 mi 15m
State Highway 60 9.9 mi 16m
I 41 7.7 mi 8m
WI 33 4 mi 5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 136.4 mi, about 2h 26m

Traffic on I-94

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~946 veh/hr typical · worst 1,701

Quietest

2 AM

~126 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.5×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Eau Claire, WI and Cedarburg, WI.

1

Start on East Grand Avenue

35 ft · 5 sec · East Grand Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Farwell Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Farwell Street
3

Turn left onto Washington Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Washington Street
4

Continue on Harding Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Harding Avenue
5

Continue on Brackett Avenue

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Brackett Avenue
6

Turn slight right

515 ft · 18 sec
7

Turn straight onto US 53 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · Hastings Way
8

Take the ramp onto US 53 Business

2.3 mi · 2 min · South Hastings Way
9

Turn straight onto US 53

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
10

Enter roundabout onto US 53

378 ft · 5 sec · US 53
11

Continue on US 53

441 ft · 8 sec · US 53
12

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
13

Merge onto I 94

136 mi · 2 hr 26 min · I 94
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 106 Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
15

Keep slight right at fork

175 ft · 4 sec
16

Turn straight onto WI 33

4.0 mi · 5 min · WI 33
17

Turn right onto US 51; WI 16

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Wisconsin Street
18

Continue on US 51; WI 16

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
19

Turn left onto WI 16

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16
20

Continue on WI 16; WI 60

0.4 mi · 53 sec · James Street
21

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec
22

Merge onto US 151

13 mi · 15 min · US 151
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
24

Keep slight right at fork

228 ft · 5 sec
25

Turn straight onto WI 33

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Park Avenue
26

Continue on WI 33

8.0 mi · 10 min · State Highway 33
27

Continue on Washington Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
28

Turn left onto WI 33

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Main Street
29

Continue on WI 33

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Barstow Street
30

Turn straight onto WI 33

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Vine Street
31

Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Lake Street
32

Continue on WI 33

8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 33
33

Enter roundabout onto WI 33

150 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 33
34

Continue on WI 33

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
35

Continue on WI 33

1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street
36

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
37

Merge onto I 41; US 41

7.7 mi · 8 min · I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 64A-B Toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford Use the slight right lane.
39

Turn left onto WI 60

0.6 mi · 52 sec · State Highway 60 East
40

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

125 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 60
41

Continue on WI 60

2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 60
42

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

121 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 60
43

Continue on WI 60

0.1 mi · 12 sec · State Highway 60
44

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

125 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 60
45

Continue on WI 60

420 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 60
46

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

109 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 60
47

Continue on WI 60

3.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 60
48

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

113 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 60
49

Continue on WI 60

3.9 mi · 5 min · State Highway 60
50

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

149 ft · 2 sec · WI 60
51

Continue on WI 60

1.9 mi · 2 min · WI 60
52

Turn right onto WI 181

2.0 mi · 5 min · Washington Avenue
53

Arrive at destination

Washington Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 51m drive time, leaving Eau Claire in the morning will allow you to reach Cedarburg with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the 136.4-mile stretch on I 94, as services can be more spread out on interstates. It's a good idea to budget around $42 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily make it a leisurely drive with a mid-morning start.

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 118 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.4 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 52 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118 miles or 2h 10m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedarburg, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 236 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Eau Claire, 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 136.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Dekorra, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dekorra, WI

118 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

Leon, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Baraboo, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118 miles from Eau Claire, 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 136.4 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.

Lyndon Station Rest Area 9

0 mi from route

Millston Rest Area 53

0 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Rest area

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Black River Falls Rest Area 54

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Mauston Rest Area 10

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Rest Area

1.5 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

2.1 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 224.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
5.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 53

Enter roundabout onto US 53

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
6 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
142.5 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in

Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 106 Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
8
221.4 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in

Take the exit toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 64A-B Toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
6
224.8 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | WI 60 / State Highway 60

Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.24 one way

$78.47 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $42.74 $85.48
premium $5.18 $48.16 $96.31
diesel $5.35 $49.71 $99.42

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: 82.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.8 0 $24.78 $11.33
Efficient EV 59 0 $20.65 $9.44
EV Truck/SUV 94.4 1 $33.04 $15.10

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Eau Claire, WI

Afternoon in Eau Claire on Wednesday

Local time

4:02 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Chance Rain Showers

SSW 0 to 5 mph 28% chance Live forecast

Destination

Cedarburg, WI

Afternoon in Cedarburg on Wednesday

Local time

4:02 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Isolated Rain Showers

0 mph 20% 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

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 51m 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 113.9
Caution: Summit Moraine Segment — Timber Harvest Nearby
Park Closure: Sturgeon Bay Segment — Partial Trail Closure
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend about 94% of the 236 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on I 94 is 136.4 miles, meaning you'll be on high-speed, limited-access roads for a significant portion of your travel. After leaving I 94, the route shifts to State Highway 16 and then State Highway 33, which will feel like a change from the interstate cruising. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and potentially slower speeds as you transition to these state highways.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.4 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.

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 26 significant decision points across 236 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 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,097 ft 785 ft

Total Climb

851 ft

Total Descent

855 ft

Highest Point

1,097 ft

~219.1 mi in

Elevation Range

313 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Eau Claire, WI and Cedarburg, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo, Horicon and Hartford.

Baraboo

142.5 mi in | ~2h 36m

Horicon

187.9 mi in | ~3h 39m

Hartford

221.4 mi in | ~4h 25m

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Cedarburg, WI

Full guide →

Founded 1843

Cedarburg is a small city in Wisconsin, about 30 minutes by car north of Milwaukee. It is known for over 200 19th century buildings in its historic downtown and popular year-round festivals.

Top landmarks

  • Cedarburg Mill — gristmill and historic landmark in Cedarburg, Wisconsin
  • Concordia Mill
  • Hamilton Historic District — listed on the NRHP in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

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 51m. Total distance: 236 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 136.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 13 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 Cedarburg, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedarburg, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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