Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Trip from Rochester, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
245.2 mi
395 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 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rochester, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rochester, WI to Eau Claire, WI is 245.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 45 minutes via I-94 and I-90, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Wisconsin drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward journey across the state. It's a practical route for those looking to cover ground efficiently, primarily utilizing major interstates. With a recommended 1-day travel time, this trip is ideal for a quick transition between these two Wisconsin cities.
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
122.6 miles from Rochester, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 105.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| East-West Freeway | 44.8 mi | 47m |
| State Highway 83 | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| Northwest Highway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| South Rochester Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| County Highway C | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
280 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto CTH W
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Front Street
3
Continue on CTH W
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Browns Lake Drive
4
Continue on CTH W
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
5
Turn left onto Ela Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Ela Avenue
6
Continue on Buena Park Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Buena Park Road
7
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 83
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
High Drive
8
Turn straight onto WI 83
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Northwest Highway
9
Continue on State Highway 83
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
State Highway 83
10
Continue on WI 83
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
South Rochester Street
11
Continue on WI 83
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 83
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
99 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 83
13
Continue on WI 83
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 83
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
101 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 83
15
Continue on WI 83
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 83
16
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 83
128 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 83
17
Continue on State Highway 83
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 83
18
Enter roundabout onto WI 83
134 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 83
19
Continue on WI 83
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 83
20
Continue on WI 83
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Wales Road
21
Enter roundabout onto US 18
177 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
22
Continue on US 18
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
23
Enter roundabout onto US 18
67 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
24
Continue on US 18
411 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Summit Avenue
25
Continue on US 18
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 18
26
Turn right onto CTH C
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway C
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 94 West
28
Merge onto I 94
45 mi
·
47 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
34
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
35
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
36
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
37
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
38
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
39
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
40
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 45 minute duration, starting your drive in the morning allows ample time to reach Eau Claire before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 105.2-mile stretch on I-94 strategically, or push through if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during longer highway segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. This is a manageable drive for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 122.6 miles from Rochester, WI, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 54 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 30m 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 54m
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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, WI
This is one driving day of about 245.2 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Rochester, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.6 miles from Rochester, 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 105.2 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.
Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.1 mi from route
Millston Rest Area 53
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 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
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 240 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Ela Avenue
Turn left onto Ela Avenue
Navigation decision point
9
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
100.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
163.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
240 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m 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
$38.33 one way
$76.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.09 | $84.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.19 | $94.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.14 | $108.27 |
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: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.75 | $11.77 |
| Efficient EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.46 | $9.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.1 | 1 | $34.33 | $15.69 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Rochester, WI
Morning in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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
4h 45m 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 126.9
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 91% of the route on interstates like I-94 and I-90. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 105.2 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of highway travel. While the East-West Freeway is also part of the main roads, the overall character is that of a steady interstate cruise. This profile means consistent speeds and fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 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 0.8 miles in near Ela 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 21 significant decision points across 245.2 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 0.8 miles (Ela Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Rochester, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
163.7 mi in
|
~3h 14m
|
via I 94
About the Cities
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.
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 4h 45m. Total distance: 245.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (Ela Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 9.5 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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