Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Shorewood, 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
4h 40m
Distance
250.2 mi
403 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 32m
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, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eau Claire, WI to Shorewood, WI is 250.2 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. With 97% of the drive on the highway, you'll find this route is mostly a straightforward interstate cruise. It's a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between cities.
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
125.1 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 238.3 mi | 4h 18m |
| North-South Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| West Capitol Drive | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 53 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 238.3 mi, about 4h 18m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 128 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,415 veh/hr typical · worst 3,985
Quietest
2 AM
~206 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.6×
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, 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
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 310B
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 43 North, WI 145: Green Bay, Fond du Lac Avenue, McKinley Avenue
17
Merge onto I 43
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 76A
Toward WI 190 East: Capitol Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn slight right onto WI 190
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Capitol Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on WI 190
70 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Capitol Drive
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
WI 190
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m duration, starting your drive in Eau Claire before mid-morning should allow you to reach Shorewood with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll cover a substantial 238.3 miles on I 94, so plan for a single fuel stop to manage your $44 budget and take a break. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you feel most rested. Keep an eye on your exit numbers as you get closer to Shorewood to ensure you don't miss your turn, as the highway portion will eventually transition to surface streets.
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 125.1 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.3 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 miles or 2h 18m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shorewood, 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 250.2 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 238.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.1 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 238.3 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 248.4 — 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
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
244.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 43 North: Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310B
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
6
244.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43 North, WI 145: Green Bay, Fond du Lac Avenue, McKinley Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 43 North, WI 145: Green Bay, Fond du L...
7
248.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward WI 190 East: Capitol Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 76A
Toward WI 190 East: Capitol Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.60 one way
$83.20 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $45.31 | $90.62 |
| premium | $5.18 | $51.05 | $102.11 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $52.70 | $105.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.27 | $12.01 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.89 | $10.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.03 | $16.01 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph
61% 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, WI
Afternoon in Shorewood on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph
21% 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
7 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
4h 40m 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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 112.2
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 250.2 miles spent on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 238.3 miles on I 94, indicating extended periods of consistent speed. The remaining portion will involve navigating surface roads, likely with more frequent exits and local traffic as you approach your destination. Expect a fairly uninterrupted drive for the majority of the trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 238.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. 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 12 significant decision points across 250.2 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 173.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,111 ft
678 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
868 ft
Highest Point
1,111 ft
~71.5 mi in
Elevation Range
434 ft
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, WI
Full guide →Founded 1900
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 40m. Total distance: 250.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 238.3 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.
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, 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 19 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 173.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Shorewood, 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.
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