Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Orfordville, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
215.7 mi
347 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
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Orfordville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire, WI to Orfordville, WI is 215.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m via I 94 and State Highway 213, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Wisconsin, making it a straightforward Midwest excursion. Most of the drive is on the interstate, offering a consistent pace. With a single recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a same-day trip. It's a practical option for getting from one point in Wisconsin to another without 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
107.8 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 167.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| South Park Street | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 213 | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| South Beltline Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 14 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| I 39 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 59 | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 167.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,456 veh/hr typical · worst 2,263
Quietest
2 AM
~193 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Orfordville, 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
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
16
Merge onto US 12; US 18
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 261
Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
140 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto US 14
14 mi
·
16 min
·
South Park Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto US 14
115 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 14
21
Continue on US 14
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 14
22
Continue on US 14; WI 59
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 14; WI 59
23
Continue on US 14; WI 59
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Union Street
24
Turn right onto WI 213
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Madison Street
25
Continue on WI 59; WI 213
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 59
26
Continue on WI 213
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 213
27
Continue on WI 213
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Beloit Street
28
Turn sharp left onto South Main Street
263 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Main Street
29
Turn right
123 ft
·
8 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 8m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Eau Claire allows you to reach Orfordville with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest continuous stretch on I 94 is nearly 168 miles, so plan for a fuel and stretch stop before or during that segment. With only one stop recommended and a total distance of 215.7 miles, you have flexibility in your timing. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, especially as you'll be on the highway for the majority of the trip.
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 107.8 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 59m 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orfordville, 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 215.7 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.8 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
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 184 — 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
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
177.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
8
183.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 261
Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, O...
9
184 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.98 one way
$71.96 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.11 | $78.21 |
| premium | $5.26 | $44.66 | $89.32 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $52.47 | $104.95 |
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: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.65 | $10.35 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
8:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Orfordville, WI
Morning in Orfordville on Sunday
Local time
8:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
74°F
Merrimac, WI
108 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 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 8m 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 119
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 predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 215.7 miles on interstates. You'll spend a significant stretch on I 94, covering 167.8 miles without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads occurs later in the trip, with South Park Street and State Highway 213 making up the final portion. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive before encountering more local traffic and intersections.
87% 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: 167.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and South Park Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 215.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 173.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,022 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
595 ft
Total Descent
496 ft
Highest Point
1,022 ft
~46.2 mi in
Elevation Range
233 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Orfordville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Oregon along the way.
Oregon
183.8 mi in
|
~3h 23m
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 Orfordville, 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 4h 8m. Total distance: 215.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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 18 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.
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 Orfordville, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 173.9 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.6 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Orfordville, 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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