Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
11:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Rothschild, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
104.1 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Rothschild, WI
Christina & Peter
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Rothschild is 104 miles and takes about 2 hours 5 minutes via WI 29 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two Midwest communities. The majority of this route focuses on highway travel, making it a straightforward and efficient trip for getting from point A to point B. It's a good option if you're looking for a quick transit between these two cities without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 94 mi | 1h 48m |
| US 53 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| River Prairie Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Winton Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Madison Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WI 29
— 94 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Rothschild, WI.
1
Start on East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Farwell Street
3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Madison Street
4
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Germania Street
5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 53
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 53
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95A
Toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
10
Merge onto WI 29
88 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
WI 29
11
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 29
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 51 Business: Schofield, Rothschild
14
Keep slight left at fork
240 ft
·
7 sec
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto US 51 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto Winton Avenue
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Winton Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Leon Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 2-hour drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Eau Claire anytime in the morning or early afternoon should get you to Rothschild with plenty of daylight remaining. With only 104 miles and a $16 fuel estimate, you likely won't need to worry about finding gas stations along the way, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, though the drive is manageable without one. Keep an eye out for the transition from WI 29 to US 53, as this is a key point in your route.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rothschild, 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 104.1 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Eau Claire, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on WI 29 for about 94 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52 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 WI 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 103.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 95A
Toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
8
96.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
7
101.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
WI 29
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29 toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
6
103.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.27 one way
$32.55 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.87 | $35.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.03 | $40.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.98 | $45.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.93 | $5.00 |
| Efficient EV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Rothschild, WI
Morning in Rothschild on Sunday
Local time
11:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Edson, WI
52 mi in
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
22 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 95% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway driving covering 94 miles on WI 29. The transition to surface streets, like Birch Street, will likely occur closer to your destination in Rothschild. Expect frequent exits and merging opportunities as you navigate these major roads. This is a highway-focused drive, so prepare for higher speeds and consistent traffic flow for most of the trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94 mi on WI 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 104.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Rothschild, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
96.6 mi in
|
~1h 53m
|
via WI 29
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 104.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94 miles on WI 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rothschild, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rothschild, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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