Eau Claire, WI to Fredonia, WI is 234.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 94 and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, making it a good option if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day duration, you can easily complete this journey without needing an overnight stop.
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
117.4 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
136.4 mi
2h 26m
State Highway 33
26.3 mi
37m
State Highway 16
22.6 mi
31m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
County Highway A
7.9 mi
14m
WI 33
4 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.8 mi
4m
West Washington Street
2.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.4 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Fredonia, 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 106Toward 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
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
36
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
5.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
37
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
2.5 mi·5 min·West Washington Street
38
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·North 8th Avenue
39
At end of road, turn left onto WI 144
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
40
Turn right onto WI 144
0.9 mi·2 min·Barton Avenue
41
Continue on WI 144
2.0 mi·3 min·State Highway 144
42
Turn right onto CTH A
7.9 mi·14 min·County Highway A
43
Continue on CTH A; CTH H
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road A/H
44
Continue on CTH A; CTH H
1.2 mi·2 min·Fredonia Avenue
45
Turn left onto North Milwaukee Street
165 ft·7 sec·North Milwaukee Street
46
Arrive at destination
North Milwaukee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m estimated drive time, leaving Eau Claire in the morning will give you ample time to reach Fredonia before evening. While the longest stretch without a major turn is 136.4 miles on I 94, you'll find opportunities for fuel and rest along the way. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I 94 to State Highway 33, to ensure you have enough to reach your final destination in Fredonia.
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 117.4 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 9m 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 117.4 miles or 2h 9m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredonia, 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 234.7 miles and 4h 56m.
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.
The midpoint is around 117.4 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 187.9 — 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
5
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.69 one way
$73.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.29
$80.57
premium
$4.89
$45.17
$90.33
diesel
$5.61
$51.82
$103.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.64
$11.27
Efficient EV
58.7
0
$20.54
$9.39
EV Truck/SUV
93.9
1
$32.86
$15.02
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 18, 2026
Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Night
in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Fredonia, WI
Night
in Fredonia on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
28 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 56m 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
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 113.3
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 94, experiencing its longest uninterrupted stretch of 136.4 miles. While the majority of the trip is on faster roads, State Highway 33 and State Highway 16 will offer a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience for most of the 4h 56m journey.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 33. You will hit about 19 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 Effort6/10
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 234.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.
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 Fredonia, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
Baraboo
142.5 mi in|~2h 36m
Horicon
187.9 mi in|~3h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 234.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.
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 Fredonia, 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 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 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Fredonia, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
