Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Oostburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 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
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
Oostburg, WI
Wikimedia Commons
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
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,452 veh/hr typical · worst 2,230
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Millston Rest Area 53
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 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
$37.72 one way
$75.43 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $41.64 | $83.28 |
| premium | $4.72 | $47.42 | $94.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.22 | $96.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Oostburg, WI
Late night in Oostburg on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 15 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph
83% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM 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
5 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
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.
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 140.9
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft
695 ft
Total Climb
897 ft
Total Descent
802 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~91.2 mi in
Elevation Range
339 ft
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 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
About the Cities
Starting in Oostburg, WI
Full guide →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.
Top landmarks
- • Sacred Heart Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
- • Martin Van Buren Barron House — historic house in Wisconsin, United States
- • Brady Anderson and Waldemar Ager House — United States historic place
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 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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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