Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Lake Koshkonong, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
207.8 mi
334 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Koshkonong, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Lake Koshkonong is 207.8 miles and takes about 3 hours 56 minutes via I 94, I 39, and State Highway 106, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of your drive, making it a straightforward and efficient route. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip between two points in the state without extensive planning required.
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
103.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 167.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| I 39 | 22.1 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 106 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| US 51 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Shore Road | 1 mi | 3m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Burnham Road | 0.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 167.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,463 veh/hr typical · worst 3,251
Quietest
2 AM
~234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Lake Koshkonong, 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
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 51
Exit 160
Toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton
16
Turn left onto US 51; WI 73
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 51; WI 73
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto WI 106
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 106
18
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 106
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 106
19
Turn right onto Burnham Road
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Burnham Road
20
Turn right onto North Shore Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Shore Road
21
Arrive at destination
North Shore Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 56 minute duration, departing Eau Claire in the morning should allow you to reach Lake Koshkonong with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is mostly highway, so plan for minimal stops unless you need fuel or a break. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, it's a budget-friendly drive. Pay attention as you transition from I 39 to State Highway 106; this is where the driving environment will change the most, so be ready for different traffic patterns and potential local roads.
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 103.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 55m 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.9 miles or 1h 55m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Koshkonong, 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 207.8 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.9 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
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 195.9 — 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
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.66 one way
$69.33 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $37.67 | $75.35 |
| premium | $5.26 | $43.02 | $86.05 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $50.55 | $101.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.82 | $9.97 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.09 | $13.30 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Koshkonong, WI
Late night in Lake Koshkonong on Tuesday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
68°F
Merrimac, WI
104 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
1 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 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 114.6
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?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on I 94 measures 167.8 miles, offering a consistent cruising experience. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically State Highway 106, toward the end of your trip, which will likely involve more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you approach Lake Koshkonong.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 12 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 207.8 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: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,081 ft
781 ft
Total Climb
460 ft
Total Descent
468 ft
Highest Point
1,081 ft
~29.7 mi in
Elevation Range
300 ft
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
Arriving in Lake Koshkonong, WI
Full guide →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 3h 56m. Total distance: 207.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 19 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: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Koshkonong, 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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