Origin
Omro, WI
Late night in Omro on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Omro, 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 45m
Distance
170.7 mi
275 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Omro, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 170.7-mile journey from Omro to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 45 minutes. With 71% of the route on highways, it's an efficient trip, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $27 for this drive. The route primarily utilizes I-94 and State Highway 21, offering a direct path through the Midwest. This trip is well-suited for those looking for a practical and relatively quick way to travel between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
85.3 miles from Omro, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 72 mi | 1h 17m |
| State Highway 21 | 47.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| East Follett Drive | 28.9 mi | 40m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Bannerman Avenue | 1.6 mi | 4m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West River Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 72 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Omro, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Spruce State Route
3
Turn left onto WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West River Drive
4
Continue on WI 21
16 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 21
5
Continue on WI 21
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bannerman Avenue
6
Continue on WI 21; CTH EE
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 21
7
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
8
Turn left onto East Division Street
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto South Fair Street
17 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Fair Street
10
Turn right onto West Division Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Division Street
11
Continue on WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
12
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
13
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
East Follett Drive
14
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
15
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
16
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 94
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
21
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
22
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
23
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
24
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
25
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
26
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
27
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 45-minute duration, this trip from Omro to Eau Claire is perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure. Departing earlier in the day will give you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 72 miles on I-94, where services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $27, so factor that into your budget before you set off.
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 85.3 miles from Omro, WI, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 38 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.3 miles or 2h 6m 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 8m
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 Omro, 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 Omro, WI
This is one driving day of about 170.7 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Omro, 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 72 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.3 miles from Omro, 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 72 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 28.4 and 165.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
South Fair Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Fair Street
Navigation decision point
6
92.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
93.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
165.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
165.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
$26.69 one way
$53.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.85 | $65.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.69 | $75.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.92 | $8.19 |
| Efficient EV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.94 | $6.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.92 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Adams, WI
85 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
3 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 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 47.1
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive predominantly features highway travel, with 71% of the mileage spent on faster roads like I-94. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 72 miles on I-94, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your trip. While the main roads are highway-centric, there are also segments on State Highway 21 and East Follett Drive, which may offer a slight change in scenery and driving experience. Overall, anticipate a driving profile that prioritizes efficiency and steady progress over winding, scenic backroads.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 21. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in near South Fair Street.
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 170.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 28.4 miles (South Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 92.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.2 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 170.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72 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 28.4 miles (South Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 92.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.2 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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