Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Poynette, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
156.3 mi
251 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
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 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
Poynette, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 156.3 miles across the Midwest, this trip from Eau Claire to Poynette takes approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes. Because the route relies on local roads like South Farwell Street, Washington Street, and Harding Avenue rather than major interstates, you should plan for a steady, turn-heavy pace. It is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting around $24 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire journey stays within Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. This route is an ideal choice if you prefer backroads over the monotony of high-speed highway travel.
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
78.1 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 145.9 mi | 2h 36m |
| County Highway CS | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| US 53 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 145.9 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~946 veh/hr typical · worst 1,701
Quietest
2 AM
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
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 Poynette, 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
146 mi
·
2 hr 36 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
15
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft
·
5 sec
16
Turn straight onto CTH J; CTH CS
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
County Hwys J & CS
17
Continue on CTH CS
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway CS
18
Continue on CTH Q; CTH CS
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Hwys Q & CS
19
Turn left onto CTH Q; CTH CS
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
CTH Q; CTH CS
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 156.3-mile route, it is best to depart early in the day when you are fresh and alert for frequent navigation. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous turns can be more tiring than a straight interstate cruise. Since you are relying on local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Eau Claire; while $24 is a reasonable estimate, local road conditions can sometimes affect your actual mileage. Use the flexibility of this short duration to your advantage by building in a buffer for traffic or unexpected road work along the way. Above all, stay focused on the specific local street signs, as the lack of highway signage means you will need to rely more heavily on your map or navigation system than you would on a standard freeway trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.1 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.9 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poynette, 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 156.3 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 145.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.1 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 145.9 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
Love's Travel Stop
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
Petro Stopping Centers
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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 152.1 — 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.
6
151.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
5
152.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.99 one way
$51.97 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $28.31 | $56.61 |
| premium | $5.18 | $31.89 | $63.79 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
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: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.41 | $7.50 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.68 | $6.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.88 | $10.00 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 4:01AM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 12:08AM CDT until May 30 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Poynette, WI
Afternoon in Poynette on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 4:01AM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 12:08AM CDT until May 30 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
2h 54m 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 118.5
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route features a 0% highway share, favoring local thoroughfares instead. The character of the road is distinctly turn-heavy, requiring your full attention as you navigate through local streets. Because there are no long, uninterrupted interstate stretches, the journey feels more like a winding regional tour than a rapid transit sprint. You will spend nearly three hours navigating these smaller roads, which makes for a more engaged, dynamic time behind the wheel. Prepare for frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you transition between the various local segments of the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Highway CS. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 54m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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
1,014 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
359 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
~44.6 mi in
Elevation Range
225 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Olson's Ice Cream
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: ice_cream
Visit websiteNorthbound Supply Co.
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSoul Brewed Coffee Roasters
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
ECDC - Eau Claire Dowtown Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-17:00
Grand Avenue Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo-Su 07:30-14:30
Star Cup
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: bubble_tea
The Reboot Social
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteBlue Ox Running
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteMadden Ramen
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: ramen
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-20:00
Visit websiteThe Informalist
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-24:00; Sa 08...
Rice Palace
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: thai
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Jellystone Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hobart Playground
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
McDonough Playground
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Pine Island State Wildlife Area
Park
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
McMullen Park Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Kaiser Field
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bishop Wilson Memorial Building
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
WI
Adin Randall Statue
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Visit website
John Muir View
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Riverside & Great Northern Railway
Museum
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Visit website
Henry Aaron memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Eau Claire County Old Orchard Cemetery
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteThe Oxbow Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Jellystone Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
McMullen Park Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Willow's Motel
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Mill Bluff campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Poynette, 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 2h 54m. Total distance: 156.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.9 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Poynette, WI before heading back.
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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