Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rubicon, 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 11m
Distance
204.7 mi
329 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rubicon, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 204.9-mile journey from Rubicon to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will take approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. With a projected fuel cost of $31, this is a budget-friendly trip for a single day. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including Rome Road and County Road P, with a brief section on Highway 60. Given its manageable distance and duration, this drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward drive through the heart of Wisconsin.
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
102.3 miles from Rubicon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 60.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 60 | 14.8 mi | 22m |
| Highway 16 & 60 | 13.8 mi | 18m |
| West Cook Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| East James Street | 1.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rubicon, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on this road
103 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Rome Road
267 ft
·
17 sec
·
Rome Road
3
Turn left onto CTH P
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road P
4
Turn right
257 ft
·
18 sec
5
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
1 min
6
Turn right onto WI 60
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 60
7
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 16 & 60
8
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Lowell Street
9
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East James Street
10
Continue on WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
11
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
12
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wisconsin Street
13
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West Cook Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
15
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
19
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
20
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
21
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
22
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
23
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
25
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and enjoy a relaxed pace. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, you should have no issues finding affordable gas along the way. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause rather than a lengthy break. Since this is a day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your GPS or navigation app is fully charged and updated, as frequent turns on local roads can easily lead to missed opportunities if you're not paying close attention.
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 102.3 miles from Rubicon, WI, or about 2h 18m 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 45 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 28m
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 Rubicon, 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 Rubicon, WI
This is one driving day of about 204.7 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Rubicon, 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
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.3 miles from Rubicon, 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
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
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 199.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Rome Road
Turn right onto Rome Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH P / County Road P
Turn left onto CTH P / County Road P
Navigation decision point
8
123.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
5
199.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
6
199.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m 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
$32.00 one way
$64.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.14 | $70.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.39 | $78.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.20 | $90.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.49 | $9.83 |
| Efficient EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.91 | $8.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.66 | $13.10 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Rubicon, WI
Morning in Rubicon on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 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
17 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 11m 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 91.7
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 turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway segments to speak of. The absence of high-speed highways means you'll be navigating a more intimate local road network for the entire 204.9 miles. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and road names. This driving style encourages a more engaged experience behind the wheel, keeping you aware of your surroundings as you transition between different county roads and smaller state highways like Highway 60.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Rome Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 204.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Rome Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 123.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Rubicon, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
123.1 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
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 11m. Total distance: 204.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 13 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Rome Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CTH P / County Road P): Navigation decision point; at 123.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 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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