Origin
Port Washington, WI
Late night in Port Washington on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Port Washington, 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
4h 57m
Distance
237.1 mi
382 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Washington, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 237.3 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from Port Washington to Eau Claire typically takes about 4 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on a turn-heavy local drive rather than major interstates, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey. While it is certainly possible to do this in a single day, the winding nature of the roads makes it a more demanding drive than a standard highway route. Since both cities sit within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transition. Plan for at least one stop to break up the travel and keep yourself alert 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
118.6 miles from Port Washington, 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 |
| State Highway 33 | 36 mi | 52m |
| 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 Port Washington, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on South Webster Street
104 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Webster Street
2
Turn left onto WI 32
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Grand Avenue
4
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Grand Avenue
5
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
State Highway 33
6
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Green Bay Avenue
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
102 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Green Bay Avenue
8
Continue on WI 33
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
East Green Bay Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Green Bay Avenue
10
Continue on WI 33
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Green Bay Avenue
11
Turn slight right onto WI 33
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Dekora Street
12
Continue on WI 33
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 33
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
260 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 33
14
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
15
Continue on WI 33
5.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Washington Street
16
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
17
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
18
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 33
20
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
21
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
22
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Vine Street
23
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Barstow Street
24
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Street
25
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Washington Street
26
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
27
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Park Avenue
28
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
29
Merge onto US 151
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 151
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
31
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft
·
5 sec
32
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
James Street
33
Continue on WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
34
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
35
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wisconsin Street
36
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West Cook Street
37
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
38
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
39
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.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
42
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
43
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
44
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
45
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
46
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
47
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
48
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
49
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 11-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic on the smaller roads. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize frequent checks of your navigation to ensure you remain on track through the various intersections on Highway 33 and local avenues. Since the trip is manageable in one day, use your one recommended stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which will help combat the fatigue that can come from navigating winding local routes. Keep your $36 fuel budget handy, but remember that local road driving can sometimes affect your vehicle's efficiency compared to highway travel. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a breather between the frequent turns.
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 118.6 miles from Port Washington, 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 52 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 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 7m
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 Port Washington, 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 Port Washington, WI
This is one driving day of about 237.1 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Port Washington, 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
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.6 miles from Port Washington, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
WI 33 / State Highway 33
Enter roundabout onto WI 33 / State Highway 33
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
155.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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
6
231.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m 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
$37.07 one way
$74.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.70 | $81.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.63 | $91.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.35 | $104.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.90 | $11.38 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.19 | $15.17 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Late night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
3:52 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
18 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
4h 57m 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?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate trek, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a series of local connectors, including West Grand Avenue, Highway 33, and East Green Bay Avenue. The personality of this drive is decidedly technical and turn-heavy, requiring your full attention as you transition between these smaller roads. Because you are avoiding major highways, the pace remains steady rather than fast, offering a more intimate look at the local landscape. You will find that the road demands constant engagement, making it a trip suited for those who prefer backroad driving over the monotony of high-speed transit.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 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 2.3 miles in near WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 237.1 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 2.3 miles (WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.6 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 63.7 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.
Between Port Washington, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.
Portage
63.7 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Saint Paul
155.6 mi in
|
~3h 26m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 237.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m 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 2.3 miles (WI 33 / East Green Bay Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.6 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 63.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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