Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Night in Fitchburg on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fitchburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
184.6 mi
297 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 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fitchburg, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 184.6-mile drive from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 40 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated around $29. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, making it a highway-focused experience. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll have plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how you pace your journey. This trip stays within Wisconsin, offering a convenient way to travel between two points in the Badger State.
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
92.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 46.9 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 12 & State Highway 60 | 22.1 mi | 28m |
| US 12 | 15.7 mi | 22m |
| West Beltline Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| US 18 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| County Highway M | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitchburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Wendt Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Wendt Road
2
Turn right onto CTH M
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway M
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight right
275 ft
·
12 sec
4
Turn straight onto CTH PB
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway PB
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
6
Merge onto US 18; US 151
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 18; US 151
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
8
Merge onto US 12; US 14
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 12
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 12; WI 60
22 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire
12
Merge onto I 90; I 94
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 90; I 94
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
16
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
17
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
18
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
19
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
20
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
21
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
22
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 40-minute duration, departing Fitchburg in the morning will get you to Eau Claire with ample daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of $29, you can comfortably manage your needs. Watch for the transition points between I-94, I-90, and US Highway 12 & State Highway 60, as these mark potential shifts in the driving experience. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; consider leaving earlier on a weekday to avoid potential weekend traffic on the interstates.
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 92.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 41 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 miles or 1h 57m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eau Claire, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fitchburg, 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 Fitchburg, WI
This is one driving day of about 184.6 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Fitchburg, 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 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.3 miles from Fitchburg, 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 76.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 179.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CTH M / County Highway M
Turn right onto CTH M / County Highway M
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 18; US 151
Merge onto US 18; US 151
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
179.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.86 one way
$57.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.69 | $63.37 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.76 | $81.51 |
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: 64.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.38 | $8.86 |
| Efficient EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.84 | $11.81 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Night in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNW 0 to 5 mph
27% 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
4 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
3h 40m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 91% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I-94, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 76.1 miles. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of US Highway 12 & State Highway 60 suggests some variation may occur. Be prepared for a consistent pace for much of the drive, punctuated by transitions between these main roads. The character is one of efficient travel between your origin and destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.1 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CTH M / County Highway M.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 184.6 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 0.3 miles (CTH M / County Highway M): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles (US 18; US 151): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Fitchburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
103 mi in
|
~2h 8m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 184.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.1 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Eau Claire, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CTH M / County Highway M): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles (US 18; US 151): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. 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
Continue From Eau Claire, WI
More trips to Eau Claire, WI
Explore more options from Fitchburg, WI or browse trips ending in Eau Claire, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.