This straightforward 227.3-mile journey from Newburg to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this drive. Primarily utilizing I-94 and I-90, this route offers a highway-focused experience across the Midwest. The direct nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
113.7 miles from Newburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
76.1 mi
1h 21m
I 90
60.2 mi
1h 4m
State Highway 33
30.3 mi
43m
State Highway 16
22.7 mi
31m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
East Washington Street
5.6 mi
11m
West Cook Street
3.7 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Salisbury Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Salisbury Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto WI 33
4.1 mi·5 min·State Highway 33
3
Continue on WI 33
5.6 mi·11 min·East Washington Street
4
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
5.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
5
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
8
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
9
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Street
10
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi·13 sec·Vine Street
11
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·28 sec·Barstow Street
12
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
13
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi·57 sec·Washington Street
14
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
15
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi·55 sec·Park Avenue
16
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
17
Merge onto US 151
13 mi·15 min·US 151
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 118Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
19
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft·5 sec
20
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi·20 sec·James Street
21
Continue on WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
22
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
23
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·East Wisconsin Street
24
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi·5 min·West Cook Street
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
26
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 90; I 94
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
30
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
31
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
32
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
33
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
34
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
35
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
36
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 4-hour and 40-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule. Given the 227.3 miles and a fuel cost of approximately $35, planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before tackling the longest stretch of 76.1 miles on I-94. Since this is a single-day trip, starting earlier in the day will give you ample time to arrive in Eau Claire without feeling rushed.
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 113.7 miles from Newburg, WI, or about 2h 35m 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 50 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 53m
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 Newburg, 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 Newburg, WI
This is one driving day of about 227.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Newburg, 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.
The midpoint is around 113.7 miles from Newburg, 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 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 222.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 33 / State Highway 33
At end of road, turn right onto WI 33 / State Highway 33
Navigation decision point
6
54 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
8
145.8 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
221.9 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
222.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
$35.54 one way
$71.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.02
$78.03
premium
$4.89
$43.74
$87.48
diesel
$5.61
$50.18
$100.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.2
0
$23.87
$10.91
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.89
$9.09
EV Truck/SUV
90.9
1
$31.82
$14.55
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Newburg, WI
Night
in Newburg on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 15 to 20 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Night
in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 40m 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 109.7
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 91% of this trip on highways, you'll find yourself on a predominantly fast-paced drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.1 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the core of the route is interstate, State Highway 33 offers a change of pace. This highway-focused profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with the road network designed for smooth, direct travel between Newburg and Eau Claire.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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?
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 0.2 miles in near WI 33 / State Highway 33.
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 16 significant decision points across 227.3 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 0.2 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,069 ft789 ft
Total Climb
694 ft
Total Descent
752 ft
Highest Point
1,069 ft
~16.2 mi in
Elevation Range
280 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.
Portage
54 mi in|~1h 18m
Saint Paul
145.8 mi in|~3h 9m|via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 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 0.2 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
