Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Rochester, 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
4h 45m
Distance
245.4 mi
395 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Rochester, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Rochester is 245.4 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 94 and State Highway 83, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Wisconsin. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, this route is a straightforward trip for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a predictable drive with minimal complexity, making it a solid choice for a quick transit.
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
122.7 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 213.3 mi | 3h 48m |
| State Highway 83 | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| Northwest Highway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| North Rochester Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| County Highway C | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| North Wales Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Buena Park Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 213.3 mi, about 3h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Rochester, 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
168 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
46 mi
·
48 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 285
Toward CTH C: Delafield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CTH C
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway C
17
Turn left onto US 18
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 18
18
Continue on US 18
402 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
19
Enter roundabout onto US 18
74 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
20
Continue on US 18
525 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Wales Road
22
Continue on WI 83
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wales Road
23
Continue on WI 83
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 83
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
118 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 83
25
Continue on WI 83
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 83
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
139 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 83
27
Continue on WI 83
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 83
28
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
70 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 83
29
Continue on WI 83
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 83
30
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
111 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 83
31
Continue on WI 83
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 83
32
Continue on WI 83
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Rochester Street
33
Continue on State Highway 83
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
State Highway 83
34
Continue on WI 83
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Northwest Highway
35
Continue on WI 20; WI 83
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
High Drive
36
Turn right onto Buena Park Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Buena Park Road
37
Continue on Ela Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ela Avenue
38
Turn right onto CTH W
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
39
Continue on CTH W
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Browns Lake Drive
40
Continue on CTH W
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Front Street
41
Turn left onto CTH D
280 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
42
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Trip Plan
For this drive, leaving Eau Claire in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive in Rochester with ample time. Since the total driving time is under 5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch, especially considering the 213.3-mile stretch on I 94. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 94 to State Highway 83 and Northwest Highway, as services might become less frequent on these state and local roads.
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 122.7 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.3 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochester, 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 245.4 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 213.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.7 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 213.3 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 223.4 — 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.
8
173.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
7
219.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward CTH C: Delafield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 285
Toward CTH C: Delafield
6
223.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
|
WI 83 / North Wales Road
Enter roundabout onto WI 83 / North Wales Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.37 one way
$76.73 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.12 | $84.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.23 | $94.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.18 | $108.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.77 | $11.78 |
| Efficient EV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.47 | $9.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.2 | 1 | $34.36 | $15.71 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Late night in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rochester, WI
Late night in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m 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 118.5
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 91% of your time on highways, with a significant 213.3-mile stretch on I 94. This means the initial and longest portion of your drive will be characterized by consistent highway cruising. State Highway 83 and Northwest Highway will take over for the remaining 9% of the route, transitioning you to more typical surface road conditions as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 45m 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 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 173.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Rochester, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth C: Delafield along the way.
Cth C: Delafield
219.4 mi in
|
~3h 59m
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 4h 45m. Total distance: 245.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 173.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Rochester, 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.
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