Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to La Grange, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
224 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Grange, WI
Majkel Berger
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to La Grange is 224 miles and takes about 4h 17m via I 94 and I 39, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving through the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive that should feel efficient. Plan for a single day of driving, making it a good option for a quick transfer between locations. The route is designed for steady progress, letting you cover the distance without too much fuss.
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
112 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 167.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| I 39 | 22.1 mi | 23m |
| County Highway N | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Iron Brigade Memorial Highway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 59 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| US 51 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 167.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,449 veh/hr typical · worst 3,130
Quietest
2 AM
~231 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 La Grange, 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
168 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 51
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 51
Exit 160
Toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton
16
Continue on US 51
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 51
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto Jenson Street
332 ft
·
16 sec
·
Jenson Street
18
Turn right onto York Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
York Road
19
Turn left onto WI 59
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Fulton Street
20
Continue on WI 59
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 59
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 59
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 59
22
Continue on WI 59
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 59
23
Enter roundabout onto WI 59
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 59
24
Continue on WI 59
425 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 59
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 59
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 59
26
Continue on WI 59
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 59
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto CTH N
11 mi
·
14 min
·
County Highway N
28
Continue on CTH N
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
East County Road N
29
Continue on CTH S
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East County Road N
30
Turn right onto US 12; WI 89
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 12
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Iron Brigade Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto CTH H
130 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway H
33
Arrive at destination
CTH H
Trip Plan
For this 224-mile drive, leaving Eau Claire in the morning is ideal to ensure you have ample daylight for the 4h 17m trip. With only one recommended stop and an 88% highway share, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $40, and refuel before you hit the longest stretch of 167.8 miles on I 94. The transition to County Highway N towards the end will require your attention as you shift from high-speed interstate cruising to more local road conditions.
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 112 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.8 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112 miles or 2h 4m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Grange, 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 224 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 167.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112 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 I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 167.8 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.
Millston Rest Area 53
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 201.2 — 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
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.
8
173.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
I 39; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
6
195.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 160
Toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Ed...
5
201.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
WI 59 / State Highway 59
Enter roundabout onto WI 59 / State Highway 59
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.24 one way
$74.48 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $40.57 | $81.13 |
| premium | $5.18 | $45.71 | $91.42 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $47.18 | $94.36 |
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: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
| Efficient EV | 56 | 0 | $19.60 | $8.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.36 | $14.34 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
La Grange, WI
Afternoon in La Grange on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Scattered Rain Showers
0 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
3 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 17m 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 115.9
Caution: Summit Moraine Segment — Timber Harvest Nearby
Park Closure: Sturgeon Bay Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 88% of this drive on highways, with a substantial stretch of 167.8 miles on I 94. The majority of your travel will be on interstates before transitioning to County Highway N. Expect a mostly highway feel with fewer surface road transitions until the latter part of the trip. The frequent exits on I 94 mean you'll encounter various points of entry and departure.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 39. You will hit about 17 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 224 miles you will encounter 17 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 173.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,051 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
596 ft
Total Descent
443 ft
Highest Point
1,051 ft
~32 mi in
Elevation Range
262 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Olson's Ice Cream
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: ice_cream
Visit websiteNorthbound Supply Co.
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSoul Brewed Coffee Roasters
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
ECDC - Eau Claire Dowtown Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-17:00
Backyard Bikes and Ski
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Grand Avenue Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo-Su 07:30-14:30
The Reboot Social
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteBlue Ox Running
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteMadden Ramen
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: ramen
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-20:00
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Black River Falls, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-21:00; Fr 08:00-09:00; Sa-Su...
Visit websiteThe Informalist
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-24:00; Sa 08...
American Resort and Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Visit website#FYP Totally 80's
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Visit websiteMedusa's Slidewheel
Attraction
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hobart Playground
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
McDonough Playground
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lab Rat Maze
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bishop Wilson Memorial Building
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
WI
Tobacco City Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
WI
Adin Randall Statue
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Visit website
Henry Aaron memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Museum of Historic Torture Devices
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Visit websiteRiverside & Great Northern Railway
Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteThe Oxbow Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Polynesian Hotel and Waterpark
Hotel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
American Resort and Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Visit websiteStoney Creek RV Resort and Campground
Caravan_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
KMSF-SU Shelter 3
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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
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 17m. Total distance: 224 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
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: 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 173.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at La Grange, 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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