Ixonia to Eau Claire is 214.9 miles and takes about 3h 58m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region and offering a straightforward path. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day drive. You'll find the route efficient, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points.
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
107.4 miles from Ixonia, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
140.3 mi
2h 30m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
County Road F
5.1 mi
9m
South Hastings Way
1.6 mi
3m
US 53
1.3 mi
1m
Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
1m
Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 140.3 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,425 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,980
Quietest
2 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Ixonia, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Marietta Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Marietta Avenue
2
Turn right onto CTH F
5.1 mi·9 min·County Road F
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
4
Merge onto I 94
35 mi·37 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
10
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
11
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
12
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
13
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
14
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
15
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
16
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3h 58m drive, leaving Ixonia in the morning will give you ample time to reach Eau Claire well before evening. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is 140.3 miles on I 94, plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps before departing or at the beginning of this longer segment. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost estimate of $33, this route offers flexibility. You can easily break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace or push through to arrive quickly.
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 107.4 miles from Ixonia, WI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.3 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 1h 59m 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 13m
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 Ixonia, 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 Ixonia, WI
This is one driving day of about 214.9 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Ixonia, 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 140.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Ixonia, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 209.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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 / slight right lanes.
9
40.8 mi into trip|~48m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
209.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
$29.19 one way
$58.38 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$32.57
$65.15
premium
$4.15
$35.11
$70.22
diesel
$3.75
$31.73
$63.45
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: 75.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.56
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.80
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.09
$13.75
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Ixonia, WI
Morning
in Ixonia on Saturday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Rain Showers
NW 15 to 20 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning
in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
NNW 10 to 20 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
74°F
Merrimac, WI
107 mi in
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
1 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 58m 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 96.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 94 and I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 140.3 miles on I 94, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. County Road F marks the transition to surface roads towards the end of the trip, accounting for the remaining 5%. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent exits along the interstate sections.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort7/10
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 214.9 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 5.6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
999 ft789 ft
Total Climb
430 ft
Total Descent
508 ft
Highest Point
999 ft
~199.5 mi in
Elevation Range
210 ft
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 Ixonia, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 214.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.3 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 5.6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
