Origin
Rhine, WI
Late night in Rhine on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rhine, 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 50m
Distance
237.2 mi
382 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhine, WI
Birgit Böllinger
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 237.2-mile drive from Rhine to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 50 minutes. You'll primarily be on interstates, with 88% of the route being highway driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, this is an economical journey across the Midwest. The route is designed for efficiency, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B. It's a trip you can comfortably complete in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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 Rhine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m 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 |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| East Cook Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| County Road A | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhine, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH MM
221 ft
·
12 sec
·
County Road MM
2
Turn left onto CTH E
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Rhine Road
3
Turn right onto CTH A
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road A
4
Continue on CTH A
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Rhine Street
5
Turn straight onto CTH J
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Gottfried Street
6
Turn left onto CTH JP
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road JP
7
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road P
8
Continue on CTH A; CTH P
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road A/P
9
At end of road, turn right onto CTH A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
10
Turn slight left onto CTH A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Clark Street
11
Take the ramp onto CTH A
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
CTH A
12
Merge onto WI 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on WI 23
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 23
148 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Johnson Street
15
Continue on WI 23
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Johnson Street
16
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 151
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 151
18
Turn right onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
19
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
County Road A
20
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East State Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
154 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 68
22
Continue on WI 68; CTH A; CTH C
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Street
23
Continue on WI 33; CTH A
27 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 33
24
Continue on WI 33
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East 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 Paul
Use 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
Given the 4-hour 50-minute duration, starting your drive from Rhine in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Eau Claire without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the 237.2 miles, especially considering the longest stretch is over 76 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $37 for the trip. The primary roads are interstates, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained highway speeds. This route is manageable in one day, offering flexibility if you decide to depart later.
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 Rhine, WI, or about 2h 39m 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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 39m 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
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 Rhine, 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 Rhine, WI
This is one driving day of about 237.2 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Rhine, 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 Rhine, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 231.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
CTH P / County Road P
At end of road, turn left onto CTH P / County Road P
Navigation decision point
6
10.7 mi into trip
|
~21m 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.
6
27.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
155.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
231.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m 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
$37.08 one way
$74.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.72 | $81.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.65 | $91.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.37 | $104.74 |
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 | 71.2 | 0 | $24.91 | $11.39 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.76 | $9.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.21 | $15.18 |
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
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph
2% chance
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
32 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 50m 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 122.7
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this journey, as 88% of the route utilizes major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.1 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. You'll be navigating a mix of I-94, I-90, and US-151, providing a relatively fast-paced transit through Wisconsin. This profile suggests a drive geared more towards reaching your destination efficiently rather than a leisurely exploration.
88% 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near CTH P / County Road P.
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 237.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 6 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 Rhine, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
155.6 mi in
|
~3h 19m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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 6 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (WI 23 / State Highway 23): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.6 miles: 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 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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