Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Ettrick, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
59.2 mi
95 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Ettrick, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Eau Claire to Ettrick, Wisconsin, expect a straightforward journey covering 59.2 miles. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a quick day trip. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 53, I-94, and Ekern Street. With fuel costs estimated at around $9, it is an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you choose to linger. It is a practical, efficient route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 53 | 26.4 mi | 36m |
| I 94 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| Ekern Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 53
— 26.4 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Ettrick, 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
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 88
Toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
15
Keep slight right at fork
212 ft
·
5 sec
16
Turn right onto US 10
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
10th Street
17
Turn left onto US 53
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Street
18
Continue on US 53
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 53
19
Continue on US 53
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Ekern Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ervin Street
21
Continue on US 53
16 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 53
22
Turn left onto CTH D
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street West
23
At end of road, turn right onto CTH D
333 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 59.2 — 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
6
22.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
5
23 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
42.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
US 53 / Ervin Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 53 / Ervin Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
CTH D / South Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto CTH D / South Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.26 one way
$18.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.16 | $20.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.39 | $22.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.07 | $26.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.29 | $3.79 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Ettrick, WI
Morning in Ettrick on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Hale, WI
30 mi in
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
3 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
1h 21m 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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as your longest uninterrupted stretch is 26.4 miles along US Highway 53. The experience shifts from the busier transit corridors of the interstate to the more local feel of the final approach on Ekern Street. Because the route is designed for efficiency, you can expect a consistent pace rather than technical, winding navigation. It is the type of drive where you can settle in, maintain a steady speed, and reach your destination with minimal stress.
73% 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: 26.4 mi on US Highway 53.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 53 and I 94. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 59.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Eau Claire, WI to Ettrick, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fairchild along the way.
Fairchild
22.8 mi in
|
~28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 59.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.4 miles on US Highway 53. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ettrick, 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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