Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Pensaukee, 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
4h 6m
Distance
201.1 mi
324 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 53m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 31m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Pensaukee, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Pensaukee is 201.1 miles and takes about 4h 6m via WI 29 and US 41, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway, making it a fairly straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 164.1 miles, it's a manageable one-day drive.
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
100.6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 164.1 mi | 3h 9m |
| US 41 | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| County Highway S | 9.7 mi | 17m |
| US 53 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 160 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 32 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| County Highway SS | 1.6 mi | 4m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
WI 29
— 164.1 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Pensaukee, 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
88 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
WI 29
11
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29
72 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
WI 29
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
13
Take the exit onto WI 55
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
WI 55
Toward WI 55, WI 160: Pulaski, Seymour
14
Turn left onto WI 55
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 55
15
Continue on WI 160
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 160
16
Continue on WI 160
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pulaski Street
17
Turn left onto WI 32
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Saint Augustine Street
18
Continue on WI 32
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 32
19
Turn right onto CTH S
9.7 mi
·
17 min
·
County Highway S
20
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
21
Merge onto US 41; US 141
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 41; US 141
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 41
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 41
Toward US 41, LMCT: Oconto, Marinette
23
Turn right onto CTH SS
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway SS
24
Continue on CTH S
42 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Highway S
25
Arrive at destination
CTH S
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving Eau Claire in the morning allows ample time to reach Pensaukee before evening. You'll want to fuel up before departing, as there is only one recommended stop and the longest stretch without a major road change is 164.1 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart at your convenience and make brief stops 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 100.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.1 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pensaukee, 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 201.1 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 WI 29 for about 164.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.6 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 WI 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.1 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.
George Street Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Rothschild, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+17153593660
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 193.8 — 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
8
96.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
7
101.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
WI 29
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29 toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
6
193.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto US 41 toward US 41, LMCT: Oconto, Marinette
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 41, LMCT: Oconto, Marinette
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.55 one way
$67.09 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $36.46 | $72.92 |
| premium | $5.26 | $41.64 | $83.27 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $48.92 | $97.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.12 | $9.65 |
| Efficient EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.4 | 1 | $28.15 | $12.87 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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
Pensaukee, WI
Late night in Pensaukee on Tuesday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 3 to 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
4 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 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 92% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 164.1 miles on WI 29 before transitioning to other routes. Expect a consistent highway feel for most of your travel time, with fewer surface road sections.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.1 mi on WI 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and US 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
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 201.1 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 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,406 ft
589 ft
Total Climb
734 ft
Total Descent
934 ft
Highest Point
1,406 ft
~71.8 mi in
Elevation Range
818 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.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Pensaukee, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Green Bay and Seymour.
Madison
96.6 mi in
|
~1h 53m
|
via WI 29
Green Bay
101.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via WI 29
Seymour
173 mi in
|
~3h 23m
|
via WI 55
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 6m. Total distance: 201.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.1 miles on WI 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Pensaukee, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
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 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Pensaukee, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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