Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Muskego, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
244.4 mi
393 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Muskego, WI
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
Eau Claire, WI to Muskego, WI is 244.4 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Midwest journey stays within Wisconsin, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to travel between these two points without crossing state lines. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s a solid choice for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so pack some good audiobooks or podcasts. Consider this route if you prioritize getting to your destination efficiently.
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
122.2 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 228.7 mi | 4h 5m |
| South Moorland Road | 7.3 mi | 13m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Janesville Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 53 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 228.7 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,143 veh/hr typical · worst 2,624
Quietest
1 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
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 Muskego, 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 left at fork onto I 94
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 301A-B
Toward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
183 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 94 Alternate East: New Berlin
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto CTH O
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
South Moorland Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on CTH O
331 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Moorland Road
19
Enter roundabout onto CTH O
220 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Moorland Road
20
Continue on CTH O
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Moorland Road
21
Continue on CTH O
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Moorland Road
22
Enter roundabout onto CTH O
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Moorland Road
23
Continue on CTH O
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Moorland Road
24
Turn right onto CTH L
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Janesville Road
25
Turn left onto Pioneer Drive
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
Pioneer Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Pioneer Drive
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just under 4.5 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure. Leaving Eau Claire in the morning will get you to Muskego by midday, leaving plenty of time for the rest of your day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 228.7 miles on I 94, so plan your fuel stops accordingly; while the total fuel cost is estimated at $38, it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer interstate segments. A single stop should suffice for this drive, but utilize the rest areas along I 94 as needed.
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 122.2 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 228.7 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.2 miles or 2h 14m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Muskego, 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 244.4 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 228.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.2 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 I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 228.7 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
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 235.2 — 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 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
7
234.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 301A-B
Toward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland Road
7
235.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 Alternate East: New Berlin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 94 Alternate East: New Berlin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.09 one way
$72.18 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $39.84 | $79.69 |
| premium | $4.72 | $45.38 | $90.76 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.15 | $92.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.66 | $11.73 |
| Efficient EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.39 | $9.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.22 | $15.64 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Muskego, WI
Afternoon in Muskego on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
86°F
Lodi, WI
122 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 34m 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 118
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 94% of it on interstates. Expect long stretches on I 94, including one uninterrupted segment of 228.7 miles. This means you'll largely be on a high-speed, multi-lane road for the bulk of your travel. While I 94 offers a direct path, the character remains consistent for most of the journey, emphasizing efficient transit over varied scenery. You’ll transition onto South Moorland Road and South Hastings Way closer to your destination, which will offer a change in pace from the interstate.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 228.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and South Moorland Road. You will hit about 13 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 244.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,095 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
851 ft
Total Descent
839 ft
Highest Point
1,095 ft
~17.5 mi in
Elevation Range
306 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 Muskego, WI
Full guide →Founded 1964
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 34m. Total distance: 244.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 228.7 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: 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 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Muskego, 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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