Millston Rest Area 53
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Princeton, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
155.1 mi
250 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Princeton, WI
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Princeton is 155.1 miles and takes about 3h 10m via I 94 and State Highways 82/23, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 93% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit between these two points. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a chance to cover ground without feeling rushed.
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
77.5 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 | 99.4 mi | 1h 46m |
| State Highway 82 | 28.3 mi | 42m |
| State Highway 23 | 16 mi | 23m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Underwood Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Ormsby Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Princeton, 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
99 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
15
Turn left onto State Highway 82
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 82
16
Continue on State Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 82
17
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 82
18
Continue on WI 82
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 82
19
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ormsby Street
20
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 82
21
Continue on State Highway 23
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
22
Continue on WI 23
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Underwood Avenue
23
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Montello Street
24
Continue on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Montello Street
25
Continue on WI 23
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 23
26
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
South 2nd Street
27
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 3h 10m drive, you have ample flexibility. Leaving Eau Claire in the morning should allow you to reach Princeton with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the relatively short duration, you might only need one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch on I 94 is nearly 100 miles, so plan your final fuel stop accordingly before you transition to State Highway 82. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the state highways where services might be less frequent.
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 77.5 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 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 77.5 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Princeton, 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 155.1 miles and 3h 10m.
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 99.4 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 77.5 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 99.4 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Wayside
2.2 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 105.9 — 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.
6
105.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
5
105.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
State Highway 82
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.25 one way
$48.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.62 | $53.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.85 | $59.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.24 | $68.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.29 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.71 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 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
Morning in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Princeton, WI
Morning in Princeton on Tuesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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
17 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
3h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 133.7
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?
This route is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 155.1 miles on faster roads like I 94. You'll experience a longest stretch of 99.4 miles on I 94 before transitioning to surface roads. The shift from highway to State Highways 82 and 23 will likely introduce more local traffic and lower speed limits as you approach your destination. Expect more frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you get closer to Princeton.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 82. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Princeton, WI is easy. At 3h 10m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
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 Princeton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Oxford along the way.
Oxford
105.4 mi in
|
~1h 57m
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.
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 10m. Total distance: 155.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Princeton, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Princeton, WI
More trips to Princeton, WI
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Princeton, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.