Origin
Lake Wisconsin, WI
Late night in Lake Wisconsin on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Wisconsin, 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 4m
Distance
160.7 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Wisconsin, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Lake Wisconsin to Eau Claire, you are looking at a 161-mile trek that takes roughly 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. This route is best suited as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $22 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to cross the Midwest. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer local scenery over the pace of heavy highway traffic.
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
80.3 miles from Lake Wisconsin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 39 | 6.3 mi | 6m |
| County Highway V | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| County Highway J | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Summerville Park Road | 1.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wisconsin, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Summerville Park Road
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Summerville Park Road
2
Turn left onto CTH V
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
County Highway V
3
Turn left onto CTH J; CTH V
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Hwys J & V
4
Turn right onto CTH J
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway J
5
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J; CTH CS
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
County Hwys J & CS
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 39; I 90; I 94
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
12
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
13
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
14
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
15
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
16
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
17
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
18
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the midday sun or peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop during the 161-mile journey to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $22 estimated cost is based on steady driving through rural stretches. Because you are relying on county roads, ensure your navigation system is updated to handle the frequent turns between County Highways J and V. Taking a moment to map out your specific turn points in advance will make the transition between these local roads much smoother.
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 80.3 miles from Lake Wisconsin, WI, or about 1h 34m 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 29m
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 Lake Wisconsin, 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 Lake Wisconsin, WI
This is one driving day of about 160.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Lake Wisconsin, 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
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Lake Wisconsin, 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 8 and 155.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CTH J; CTH CS / County Hwys J & CS
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J; CTH CS / County Hwys J & CS
Navigation decision point
6
15.6 mi into trip
|
~24m 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
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
5
155.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
6
155.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
$25.12 one way
$50.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.58 | $55.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.93 | $61.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph
2% 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
10 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 4m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route avoids highways entirely, meaning you will navigate exclusively via County Highways V, J, and V. Because the highway share is zero percent, you will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches of road to zone out on. The character of this trip is defined by its local, winding nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between the various county roads. It is a practical path that prioritizes back-road navigation over high-speed travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in near CTH J; CTH CS / County Hwys J & CS.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 160.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 8 miles (CTH J; CTH CS / County Hwys J & CS): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lake Wisconsin, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
79.1 mi in
|
~1h 32m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 160.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 8 miles (CTH J; CTH CS / County Hwys J & CS): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 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 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.
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