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Trip from Oostburg, 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

5h 7m

Distance

255.4 mi

411 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

Oostburg, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties in Wisconsin, United States, that is the county seat of Eau Claire County

Eau Claire, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Oostburg to Eau Claire, expect a journey covering 265.2 miles across the heart of Wisconsin. With a total driving time of approximately 4 hours and 5 minutes, this trip is manageable as a single-day push. You will primarily navigate via Center Avenue and WI 23 West, keeping you off the major interstates for a more localized experience. Budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest hubs. Because the route is quite direct, you can easily complete it in one go, though planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel.

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

127.7 miles from Oostburg, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 76.1 mi 1h 21m
I 90 60.2 mi 1h 4m
US 151 27.6 mi 33m
State Highway 33 27.2 mi 39m
State Highway 23 15.7 mi 18m
WI 23 13.1 mi 15m
I 43 8.4 mi 9m
County Road C 6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oostburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI.

1

Start on South 8th Street

117 ft · 7 sec · South 8th Street
2

Turn right onto CTH AA

1.3 mi · 3 min · Center Avenue
3

Turn left

0.3 mi · 34 sec
4

Merge onto I 43

8.4 mi · 9 min · I 43
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Exit 126A-B Toward WI 23: Sheboygan, Kohler
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Exit 126B Toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 126B Toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth
8

Merge onto WI 23

13 mi · 15 min · WI 23
9

Turn right onto CTH P

2.8 mi · 3 min · County Road P
10

Continue on CTH A

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
11

Turn slight left onto CTH A

1.7 mi · 2 min · Clark Street
12

Take the ramp onto CTH A

156 ft · 4 sec · CTH A
13

Merge onto WI 23

16 mi · 18 min · State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on WI 23

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Johnson Street
15

Enter roundabout onto WI 23

148 ft · 8 sec · East Johnson Street
16

Continue on WI 23

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East Johnson Street
17

Turn left

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on US 151

28 mi · 33 min · US 151
19

Turn right onto CTH C

6.0 mi · 8 min · County Road C
20

Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C

0.2 mi · 17 sec · County Road A
21

Continue on CTH A; CTH C

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East State Street
22

At end of road, turn left onto WI 68; CTH A; CTH C

154 ft · 3 sec · State Highway 68
23

Continue on WI 68; CTH A; CTH C

1.0 mi · 2 min · East State Street
24

Continue on WI 33; CTH A

27 mi · 39 min · State Highway 33
25

Continue on WI 33

4.9 mi · 7 min · East Cook Street
26

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
27

Merge onto I 90; I 94

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 90; I 94
28

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.
29

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
31

Merge onto US 53

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 53
32

Take the exit onto US 53 Business

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
33

Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
34

Continue on Harding Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Harding Avenue
35

Continue on Washington Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Washington Street
36

Turn right onto South Farwell Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Farwell Street
37

Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

35 ft · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
38

Arrive at destination

East Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 5-minute trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion. Since you are limited to one recommended stop, choose a location roughly halfway through the journey to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Keep that $40 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as local gas prices can fluctuate along smaller state routes. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is reliable before you pull out of Oostburg, as navigating the transitions onto WI 23 requires clear directions. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace based on local conditions to ensure a smooth arrival in Eau Claire.

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 127.7 miles from Oostburg, WI, or about 2h 46m 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.7 miles or 2h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 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 Oostburg, 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 Oostburg, WI

This is one driving day of about 255.4 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Oostburg, 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.

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

128 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.

Popular next leg

Lake Wisconsin, WI to Eau Claire, WI

160.7 mi · 3h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Black Wolf, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.7 miles from Oostburg, 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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 173.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
10 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward WI 23: Sheboygan, Kohler

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 126A-B Toward WI 23: Sheboygan, Kohler
7
10.2 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 126B Toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth
7
10.5 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 126B Toward WI 23 West: Kohler, Plymouth
6
28.9 mi into trip | ~38m in | WI 23 / State Highway 23

Merge onto WI 23 / State Highway 23

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
173.8 mi into trip | ~3h 35m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.93 one way

$79.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.84 $87.68
premium $4.89 $49.15 $98.30
diesel $5.61 $56.39 $112.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.6 0 $26.82 $12.26
Efficient EV 63.9 0 $22.35 $10.22
EV Truck/SUV 102.2 1 $35.76 $16.35

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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 15, 2026

Origin

Oostburg, WI

Morning in Oostburg on Sunday

Local time

11:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eau Claire, WI

Morning in Eau Claire on Sunday

Local time

11:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

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

23 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

5h 7m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Since the route features 0% highway share, you should prepare for a consistent, hands-on experience navigating regional roads rather than high-speed lanes. The path winds through the landscape, offering a slower pace that feels significantly more intimate than typical multi-lane corridors. Expect the road to maintain a technical feel throughout the 265.2-mile journey, requiring frequent adjustments rather than long stretches of cruise control. It is a practical way to traverse the state if you prefer local roads over the monotony of major highways.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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?

9/10

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 10 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 255.4 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Oostburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.

Saint Paul

173.8 mi in | ~3h 35m | via I 94

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 255.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m 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 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Eau Claire, WI before the return drive.

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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