Origin
Leon, WI
Late night in Leon on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leon, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
82.4 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leon, WI
Mike Norris
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 82.4-mile drive from Leon to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will take you about 1 hour and 43 minutes to complete. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of just $13. The route stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Wisconsin, making it a quick regional hop. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a functional rather than a highly scenic journey. This trip is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Leon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 45.2 mi | 48m |
| State Highway 27 | 27.4 mi | 37m |
| South Black River Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 45.2 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leon, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on WI 27
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 27
2
Continue on WI 27
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black River Street
3
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Black River Street
4
Continue on WI 27
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Black River Street
5
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
25 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 27
6
Continue on WI 27
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gebhardt Road
7
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Roosevelt Road
8
Turn right onto WI 54
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
9
Turn sharp left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
10
Merge onto I 94
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 94
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
13
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
14
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
15
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
16
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
17
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
18
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
19
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
With a short duration of just under two hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and be at your destination by lunchtime, or head out in the afternoon. Since there are no designated stops in the data and the longest stretch on I-94 is over 45 miles, plan for one fuel and rest break, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the efficient nature of this route, consider leaving a bit later in the day to maximize your morning or bring a snack for the road to save time.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.2 miles from Leon, WI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.2 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Leon, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Leon, WI
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Leon, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 45.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Leon, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 78.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
WI 27 / South Black River Street
Enter roundabout onto WI 27 / South Black River Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
31.6 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
77 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
4
78.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 53 Business / South Hastings Way
Take the exit onto US 53 Business / South Hastings Way toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.14 | $28.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.86 | $31.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.54 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
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
8 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
1h 43m 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 highway-focused experience for 90% of this 82.4-mile journey. You'll primarily be on I-94, which offers a consistent and swift pace for much of the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.2 miles on I-94, allowing for extended periods of cruising. As you transition to State Highway 27 and finally South Black River Street, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of a direct, highway-oriented trip designed for covering ground efficiently.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.2 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 27. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near WI 27 / South Black River Street.
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 82.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.9 miles (WI 27 / South Black River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.6 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Leon, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Superior along the way.
Superior
77 mi in
|
~1h 33m
About the Cities
Arriving 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.
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 1h 43m. Total distance: 82.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (WI 27 / South Black River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.6 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eau Claire, WI before heading back.
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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