Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Excelsior, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
139.7 mi
225 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Excelsior, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire, WI to Excelsior, WI is 139.7 miles and takes about 3h 7m via State Highway 27 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, beginning and ending in Wisconsin. It's a straightforward trip primarily on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. You'll likely appreciate the relatively short travel time for a change of scenery without committing to an overnight stay.
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
69.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 27 | 45.5 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 94 | 44.9 mi | 48m |
| US Highway 61 | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| North Main Street | 10.2 mi | 18m |
| US Highway 14 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| County Highway S | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Soldiers Grove Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 27
— 45.5 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Excelsior, 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
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 116
Toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
15
Keep slight right at fork
208 ft
·
5 sec
16
Turn straight onto WI 54
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South Roosevelt Road
18
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gebhardt Road
19
Continue on WI 27
25 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 27
20
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Black River Street
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Black River Street
22
Continue on WI 27
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black River Street
23
Continue on WI 27
15 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 27
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
128 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 27
25
Continue on WI 27
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 27
26
Continue on WI 27
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street
27
Keep slight left at fork
400 ft
·
14 sec
28
Turn straight onto US 14; US 61; WI 27
10 mi
·
18 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Enter roundabout onto US 14; US 61
106 ft
·
1 sec
·
US Highway 14
30
Continue on US 14; US 61
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 14
31
Continue on US 14; US 61
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Kickapoo Street
32
Turn right onto US 61; WI 131
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Soldiers Grove Road
33
Continue on US 61; WI 131
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US Highway 61
34
Turn left onto CTH S
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
County Highway S
35
Turn right onto CTH F
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway F
36
Turn left onto Excelsior Road
24 ft
·
1 sec
·
Excelsior Road
37
Arrive at destination
Excelsior Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 7m estimated duration, leaving Eau Claire in the morning is ideal, allowing ample time to reach Excelsior and settle in. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the $22 budget suggests a straightforward trip, but it's always wise to top off before embarking. The longest continuous stretch of 45.5 miles on State Highway 27 means you can maintain a good pace for a significant portion of the journey.
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 69.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.5 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.9 miles or 1h 25m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Excelsior, 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 139.7 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 State Highway 27 for about 45.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.9 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 51.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Farwell Street
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
50.9 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 116
Toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids,...
5
51.1 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.84 one way
$43.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.98 | $47.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.84 | $61.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.71 |
| Efficient EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.22 | $5.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Excelsior, WI
Late night in Excelsior on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Sparta, WI
70 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
2 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
3h 7m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of faster travel, including a significant segment of 45.5 miles on State Highway 27. Expect a mix of interstate cruising and well-maintained state highways. The character of the drive is generally efficient, designed for covering ground rather than leisurely sightseeing, with the longest uninterrupted stretch allowing for consistent progress.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.5 mi on State Highway 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 27 and I 94. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
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 139.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Excelsior, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Black River Falls along the way.
Black River Falls
50.9 mi in
|
~58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 139.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.5 miles on State Highway 27. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Excelsior, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Excelsior, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.