Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Lac du Flambeau, 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 44m
Distance
164.4 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Lac du Flambeau, WI
apertur 2.8
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Lac du Flambeau is 164.4 miles and takes about 3h 44m via State Highway 13, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Wisconsin for its entirety, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single-day journey, offering a simple way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. You'll find it a practical option when you need to cover ground efficiently within the state.
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
82.2 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 13 | 62.6 mi | 1h 26m |
| WI 29 | 54.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| State Highway 70 | 26.4 mi | 36m |
| US 53 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| County Road D | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| South Lake Avenue | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| South 8th Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 13
— 62.6 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Lac du Flambeau, WI.
1
Start on East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Farwell Street
3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Madison Street
4
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Germania Street
5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 53
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 53
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95A
Toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
10
Merge onto WI 29
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
WI 29
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
12
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Hiline Avenue
13
Continue on WI 29 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Spruce Street
14
Turn left onto WI 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 13
16
Continue on WI 13
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South 8th Street
17
Continue on WI 13
139 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 8th Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 13
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
North 8th Street
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 13
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
North 8th Street
20
Continue on WI 13
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North 8th Street
21
Continue on WI 13
39 mi
·
53 min
·
State Highway 13
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on WI 13
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 13
24
Continue on WI 13
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Flambeau Avenue
25
Turn right onto WI 70
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Street
26
Continue on WI 70
26 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 70
27
Turn left onto CTH D
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road D
28
Continue on CTH D
431 ft
·
11 sec
·
Waswagon Street
29
Turn right onto Simpson Avenue
38 ft
·
1 sec
·
Simpson Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Simpson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 44m estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Departing Eau Claire in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Lac du Flambeau comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a 62.6-mile longest stretch on State Highway 13, you can plan your breaks strategically. Consider refueling before leaving Eau Claire or in a larger town along State Highway 13 to ensure you have enough gas for the longest segment. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices.
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 82.2 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.6 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lac du Flambeau, 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 164.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 13 for about 62.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.2 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 State Highway 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.6 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 164.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 95A
Toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
6
63.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Av...
5
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
WI 13 / North 4th Street
Turn left onto WI 13 / North 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
164.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
Simpson Avenue
Turn right onto Simpson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.70 one way
$51.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.22 | $56.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.64 | $63.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.30 | $72.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.26 | $7.89 |
| Efficient EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.02 | $10.52 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Morning in Lac du Flambeau on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Medford, WI
82 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
5 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
3h 44m 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 largely a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roads like State Highway 13, WI 29, and State Highway 70. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 62.6-mile segment on State Highway 13. The character is primarily that of a faster, more direct journey rather than a winding, scenic tour. You'll likely experience a steady pace for most of the 3h 44m duration, making it a predictable and efficient travel experience.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.6 mi on State Highway 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and WI 29. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
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 164.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 164.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.6 miles on State Highway 13. 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: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 63.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lac du Flambeau, 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.
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