Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to West Bend, 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 30m
Distance
221.2 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
West Bend, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Eau Claire to West Bend is 221.2 miles and takes about 4h 30m via I 94 and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving across the Midwest region. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You can expect a fairly direct path with minimal detours, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground.
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
110.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 136.4 mi | 2h 26m |
| State Highway 33 | 26.3 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.6 mi | 31m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| WI 33 | 4 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| West Washington Street | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.4 mi, about 2h 26m
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 West Bend, 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
136 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
15
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn straight onto WI 33
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
WI 33
17
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Wisconsin Street
18
Continue on US 51; WI 16
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
19
Turn left onto WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
20
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
James Street
21
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
22
Merge onto US 151
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 151
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
24
Keep slight right at fork
228 ft
·
5 sec
25
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Park Avenue
26
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
27
Continue on Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
28
Turn left onto WI 33
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Main Street
29
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Barstow Street
30
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Vine Street
31
Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lake Street
32
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
33
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 33
34
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
35
Continue on WI 33
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
36
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
37
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Washington Street
38
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
266 ft
·
13 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
39
Turn left onto Cedar Street
238 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cedar Street
40
Turn right onto North Main Street
326 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Main Street
41
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 30-minute estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. For the most pleasant experience, consider departing Eau Claire in the morning to allow ample daylight for your travels. With a fuel cost estimated around $34, plan your fill-ups accordingly, though the longest stretch on I 94 is over 136 miles, so you can likely cover a significant portion before needing to refuel. The transition from I 94 to State Highway 33 will mark the end of the primary highway cruising, so be prepared for a slight change in pace as you approach West Bend.
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 110.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.4 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 2m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Bend, 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 221.2 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 136.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.6 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 136.4 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
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
Petro Stopping Centers
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 187.9 — 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
142.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
142.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
187.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.78 one way
$73.55 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $40.06 | $80.12 |
| premium | $5.18 | $45.14 | $90.27 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $46.59 | $93.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.23 | $10.62 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.97 | $14.16 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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
3:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Destination
West Bend, WI
Afternoon in West Bend on Wednesday
Local time
3:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 5 to 15 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 114.4
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 drive is mostly highway, with 93% of the route on major roads like I 94. The longest stretch you'll experience without a significant change in road type is 136.4 miles on I 94. State Highway 33 and State Highway 16 will take you the remaining distance, transitioning you to surface roads for the final portion of your trip. Expect frequent exits on the interstate sections.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 33. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 221.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,128 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
646 ft
Total Descent
536 ft
Highest Point
1,128 ft
~205.4 mi in
Elevation Range
339 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.
Between Eau Claire, WI and West Bend, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
Baraboo
142.5 mi in
|
~2h 36m
Horicon
187.9 mi in
|
~3h 39m
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 West Bend, WI
Full guide →Founded 1885
West Bend is a city of 30,000 people in Southeast Wisconsin.
Top landmarks
- • Gadow's Mill — historic grist mill on the Milwaukee River in West Bend, Wisconsin, United State...
- • Washington County Courthouse and Jail — courthouse in West Bend, 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 4h 30m. Total distance: 221.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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 136.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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: 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 142.5 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at West Bend, 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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