Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Wautoma, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Wautoma, WI
Siarhei Nester
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to Wautoma is 143.3 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 94 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that should be manageable for most travelers, especially if you're looking for a relatively short, direct route. You'll encounter mostly highway driving, making it a good option for a quick getaway or a segment of a larger road trip.
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
71.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 71.4 mi | 1h 16m |
| State Highway 21 | 52.8 mi | 1h 14m |
| West 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Cambridge Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 16m
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 Wautoma, 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
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
15
Turn right onto US 12
480 ft
·
9 sec
·
Superior Avenue
16
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
17
Turn left onto WI 21
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
20
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
West 3rd Street
21
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 21
22
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
23
Continue on WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
24
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
25
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
WI 21; WI 73
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, leaving Eau Claire in the morning or early afternoon is ideal to avoid arriving too late. With only one recommended stop and a $25 fuel estimate, this route offers flexibility; you can depart whenever it suits your schedule. The drive is mostly highway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 71.4-mile stretch on I 94. Plan your final leg on State Highway 21 and West 3rd Street to be prepared for a change in speed limits and road conditions as you enter Wautoma.
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 71.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.6 miles or 1h 20m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wautoma, 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 143.3 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.6 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 71.4 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
Rest area
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
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Farwell Street
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
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
77.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward US 12, WI 21: Tomah, Necedah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.16 one way
$42.32 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $23.36 | $46.72 |
| premium | $4.72 | $26.61 | $53.21 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $27.06 | $54.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Wautoma, WI
Morning in Wautoma on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Smoke
ENE 0 to 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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 1m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 128.4
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 71.4 miles on I 94. The latter part of the drive transitions to surface roads, specifically State Highway 21 and West 3rd Street as you approach Wautoma. Expect a good amount of uninterrupted cruising on the interstate before the scenery and pace change.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,133 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
697 ft
Total Descent
620 ft
Highest Point
1,133 ft
~20.5 mi in
Elevation Range
344 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 Wautoma, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Necedah along the way.
Necedah
77.4 mi in
|
~1h 27m
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 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
Grand Avenue Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo-Su 07:30-14:30
Star Cup
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eau Claire, WI
Cuisine: bubble_tea
The 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
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
Kaiser Field
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Rod and Gun Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Robinson Creek Pines State Natural Area
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Pigeon Creek Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 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
Henry Aaron memorial
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Clear Creek Museum
Museum
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Strum, WI
Eau Claire County Old Orchard Cemetery
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Roche-a-Cri State Park
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Visit website
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, right off the route
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tomah, WI
Visit websiteBoarders Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Visit website
Pigeon Creek Campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
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
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 1m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Wautoma, 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 Wautoma, WI
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Wautoma, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.