Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
63.4 mi
102 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
River Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward connection between Eau Claire and River Falls, this 63.4-mile transit is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it a highly efficient route for travelers moving across the Wisconsin Midwest. Because the duration is quite short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay or complex multi-day logistics. Budgeting around $10 for fuel should be plenty to cover the distance in a standard vehicle. This drive is designed for those who value practicality and speed over sightseeing, serving as a direct link between the two cities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 41.8 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 65 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| North Crossing | 4 mi | 6m |
| County Highway J | 4 mi | 5m |
| County Highway N | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| County Highway T | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| 3rd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and River Falls, WI.
Start on East Grand Avenue
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
Turn left onto East Madison Street
Turn right onto Bellinger Street
At end of road, turn left onto Platt Street
Turn right onto 3rd Street
Turn left onto Truax Boulevard
Turn right onto CTH F
Turn left onto WI 312
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit onto Exit 16
Enter roundabout onto CTH T
Continue on CTH T
Enter roundabout onto CTH T
Continue on CTH T
Turn right onto CTH N
At end of road, turn left onto CTH J
Turn left onto WI 65
Continue on North Main Street
Turn left onto East Cedar Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 31.7 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 63.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Platt Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the exit onto Exit 16 toward CTH T: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Enter roundabout onto CTH T / County Highway T
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto CTH T / County Highway T
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto East Cedar Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$9.91 one way
$19.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.20 | $24.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.04 |
| Efficient EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.55 | $2.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.88 | $4.06 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in River Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 73% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey navigating I-94, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.8 miles. The route transitions from the North Crossing in Eau Claire onto the interstate, eventually shifting to State Highway 65 as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience that leans more toward a functional commute than a winding scenic tour. The personality of this road is defined by its steady rhythm and efficiency, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation hurdles.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 65. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Platt Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 20m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (Platt Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 49.4 miles (Exit 16): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 49.7 miles (CTH T / County Highway T): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
607 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
1,219 ft
~45.3 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to River Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth T: Hammond along the way.
Cth T: Hammond
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 63.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
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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