Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Shorewood Hills, 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
3h 29m
Distance
173.8 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Shorewood Hills, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire, WI to Shorewood Hills, WI is 173.8 miles and takes about 3h 29m via I 94 and US 12, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on getting you there efficiently. This is a solid option if you're looking for a quick, single-day transit between these areas without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 122.5 mi | 2h 11m |
| US 12 | 38.8 mi | 51m |
| University Avenue | 4.2 mi | 10m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Phillips Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 122.5 mi, about 2h 11m
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 Shorewood Hills, 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
122 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
16
Merge onto US 12
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 12; WI 60
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Phillips Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 12; WI 78
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
US 12; WI 78
19
Continue on US 12; WI 19
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 12; WI 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 251A
Toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
208 ft
·
7 sec
22
Turn left onto US 14
4.2 mi
·
10 min
·
University Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn slight left
127 ft
·
5 sec
24
Turn left onto Joyce Erdman Place
478 ft
·
26 sec
·
Joyce Erdman Place
25
Turn right onto Locust Drive
193 ft
·
15 sec
·
Locust Drive
26
Turn left onto Western Road
372 ft
·
19 sec
·
Western Road
27
Turn right onto Tally Ho Lane
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tally Ho Lane
28
Arrive at destination
Tally Ho Lane
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 3.5-hour duration, leaving Eau Claire in the morning will easily get you to Shorewood Hills before afternoon. The single recommended stop suggests you can either push through or take a short break midway. Watch for the transition from I 94 to US 12, as this marks the shift to more surface street driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it’s wise to fill up before departing Eau Claire to ensure you have enough for the entire 173.8-mile journey.
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 86.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.5 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.9 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shorewood Hills, 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 173.8 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 122.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.9 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 122.5 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
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
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 169 — 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
128.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
128.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
169 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 251A
Toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.79 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $31.48 | $62.95 |
| premium | $5.18 | $35.46 | $70.93 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $36.61 | $73.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.25 | $8.34 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.21 | $6.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.33 | $11.12 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Evening in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph
4% 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
Shorewood Hills, WI
Evening in Shorewood Hills on Wednesday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph
0% 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
3 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
3h 29m on the road
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.
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 113.9
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 173.8 miles on major roads like I 94. You'll encounter a long stretch of 122.5 miles on I 94 before transitioning to US 12 and then to University Avenue. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with most of the surface road driving concentrated in the final portion.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.5 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 173.8 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 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 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
992 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
637 ft
Total Descent
538 ft
Highest Point
992 ft
~24.8 mi in
Elevation Range
203 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 Shorewood Hills, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
128.5 mi in
|
~2h 21m
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 websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Madison, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
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
Mandy's Cafe & Deli
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Tomah, WI
Hours: Mo,We-Su 06:00-13:00; Tu off
Visit websiteThe Reboot Social
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Visit websiteBlue Ox Running
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
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 websiteThe Informalist
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-24:00; Sa 08...
Rice Palace
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: thai
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Black Hawk's Cave
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sunset Point
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Raymer's Cove
Viewpoint
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
Kennedy County Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 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
Hop Raising
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Father Adalbert Inama -- St. Norbert House
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Henry Aaron memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Black River Valley
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 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
Best Western
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Tomah, WI
Visit websiteKennedy Park
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
New Lisbon, WI
Wisconsin Union Hotel
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
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 Shorewood Hills, WI
Full guide →Founded 1927
Top landmarks
- • College Hills Historic District — residential historic district in Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin
- • First Unitarian Society of Madison — church building in Shorewood Hills, United States of America
- • Shorewood Historic District — historic district in Wisconsin, United States
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 3h 29m. Total distance: 173.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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 Shorewood Hills, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 128.5 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Shorewood Hills, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Shorewood Hills, WI
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Shorewood Hills, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.