Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
102.4 mi
165 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
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
Saint Joseph, WI
Andrés Oliver Joya Zapata
Eau Claire, WI to Saint Joseph, WI is 102.4 miles and takes about 2h 11m via I 94, State Highway 27, and I 90, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving through the Midwest region. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on interstates, making it a good option for a quick day trip or a segment of a larger journey. You'll find it convenient for moving between these two points without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 44.9 mi | 48m |
| State Highway 27 | 24.6 mi | 33m |
| I 90 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 162 | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 33 | 6 mi | 8m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Black River Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Saint Joseph, WI.
Start on East Grand Avenue
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Continue on Harding Avenue
Continue on Brackett Avenue
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 53 Business
Take the ramp onto US 53 Business
Turn straight onto US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Continue on US 53
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WI 54
Turn left onto US 12; WI 27
Continue on US 12; WI 27
Continue on WI 27
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
Continue on WI 27
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto WI 162
At end of road, turn right onto WI 33; WI 162
Turn left onto Ridgeview Drive
Arrive at destination
Given this is a short, one-day drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Eau Claire in the morning will give you ample time to reach Saint Joseph with daylight to spare. The longest stretch on I 94 is nearly 45 miles, so plan for a brief stop before or after that segment if you prefer to break up the driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical trip. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 94 to State Highway 27 to ensure you stay on track.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 59m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 102.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 51.2 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 5.4 and 89.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward WI 162: Bangor, Coon Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$16.01 one way
$32.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.58 | $35.15 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.71 | $39.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.61 | $45.22 |
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: 35.8 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 | 30.7 | 0 | $10.75 | $4.92 |
| Efficient EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.96 | $4.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41 | 0 | $14.34 | $6.55 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
9:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Morning in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
9:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
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.
You'll be on the highway for about 90% of this 102.4-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on an interstate is 44.9 miles on I 94. After leaving the interstate system, you'll transition to State Highway 27, which offers a change of pace from the high-speed cruising. Expect a mix of efficient interstate travel and more local road driving as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 27. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
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 102.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Saint Joseph, WI, road signs point toward Black River Falls and Coon Valley.
Black River Falls
Coon Valley
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 102.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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