Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Rhine, 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
4h 52m
Distance
237.7 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Rhine, WI
Birgit Böllinger
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Rhine is 237.7 miles and takes about 4h 52m via I 94, WI 33, and US 151, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. With the majority of the drive on highways, you can expect a relatively straightforward trip. This route is best suited for a single-day drive, especially if you're looking to get to your destination efficiently. Plan for a total travel time of under five hours, not including any stops.
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
118.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 136.4 mi | 2h 26m |
| WI 33 | 33.4 mi | 49m |
| US 151 | 26.4 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 23 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| CTH A | 2.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.4 mi, about 2h 26m
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 Rhine, 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
136 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
15
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn straight onto WI 33
33 mi
·
49 min
·
WI 33
17
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East State Street
18
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Road A
19
Turn left onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
20
Take the ramp
99 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
21
Merge onto US 151
136 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 151
22
Take the exit
329 ft
·
17 sec
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
23
Turn left onto US 151
26 mi
·
31 min
·
US 151
24
Turn right onto CTH V
451 ft
·
13 sec
·
Rienzi Road
25
Turn left onto CTH K
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road K
26
Enter roundabout
212 ft
·
4 sec
27
Continue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
28
Merge onto WI 23
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
29
Continue on WI 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
31
Continue on CTH A
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
CTH A
32
Turn left onto CTH A; CTH P
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A/P
33
Continue on CTH P
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road P
34
Turn right onto CTH JP
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road JP
35
Continue on CTH J
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Gottfried Street
36
Continue on CTH J
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Rhine Street
37
Continue on CTH A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road A
38
Turn left onto CTH E
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Rhine Road
39
Turn right onto CTH MM
221 ft
·
6 sec
·
County Road MM
40
Arrive at destination
CTH MM
Trip Plan
Given the sub-five-hour drive time, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart Eau Claire in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops. The longest stretch of continuous driving is 136.4 miles on I 94, so consider a quick fuel and stretch break before or at the end of that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is $37, so monitor your fuel gauge as you approach your destination. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and stop frequency.
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 118.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.4 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 52 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.9 miles or 2h 11m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhine, 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 237.7 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 136.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.9 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 136.4 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.
Millston Rest Area 53
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 182.7 — 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.
6
142.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
142.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
182.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.52 one way
$79.04 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| premium | $5.18 | $48.50 | $97.01 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $50.07 | $100.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.96 | $11.41 |
| Efficient EV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.80 | $9.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.28 | $15.21 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Wednesday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Rhine, WI
Afternoon in Rhine on Wednesday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 5 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 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
9 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 52m 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 114.8
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 89% of the 237.7 miles on interstates and major routes. You'll spend the longest stretch, 136.4 miles, on I 94. The transition to surface roads will begin after this long highway segment, as you'll then navigate WI 33 and US 151 for the remainder of the trip. Expect a more rural feel once you leave the interstate system.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and WI 33. You will hit about 22 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 237.7 miles you will encounter 22 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 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,065 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
680 ft
Total Descent
530 ft
Highest Point
1,065 ft
~17 mi in
Elevation Range
276 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 Rhine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Baraboo
142.5 mi in
|
~2h 36m
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 websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
Mauston, WI
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteBlue Ox Running
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteDenny's
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
Mauston, WI
Cuisine: american
Hours: 24/7
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 websiteRhine Center Bog State Natural Area
Park
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 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
Lions Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Kaiser Field
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
TeePee
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 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
Henry Aaron memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Treasure Island
Archaeological_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Gypsy Wagon
Ruins
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Tomah
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 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
Willow's Motel
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Best Western
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Tomah, WI
Visit websiteTeePee
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Westgate Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 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 Rhine, 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 52m. Total distance: 237.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 142.5 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Rhine, 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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