Origin
West Bend, WI
Late night in West Bend on Tuesday
Local time
4:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Bend, 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 29m
Distance
220.3 mi
354 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Bend, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 220.3-mile drive from West Bend to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will take you approximately 4 hours and 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-94 and I-90, with a stretch of State Highway 33, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. You'll spend about 92% of your time on the highway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Wisconsin cities. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
110.1 miles from West Bend, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m 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 | 26.3 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| West Cook Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Washington Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Bend, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on North Main Street
326 ft
·
20 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto Cedar Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Cedar Street
3
Turn right onto North 8th Avenue
288 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 8th Avenue
4
Turn left onto WI 33; WI 144
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Washington Street
5
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
6
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
8
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 33
9
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
10
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
11
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Vine Street
12
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Barstow Street
13
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Street
14
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Washington Street
15
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
16
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Park Avenue
17
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
18
Merge onto US 151
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 151
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 118
Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
20
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft
·
5 sec
21
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
James Street
22
Continue on WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
23
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
24
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Wisconsin Street
25
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
West 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
Given the 4-hour and 29-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from West Bend to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Eau Claire with plenty of time. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about where you choose to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 76.1-mile stretch on I-94, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. This route prioritizes getting you there, so focus on a smooth and timely transit.
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 110.1 miles from West Bend, WI, or about 2h 27m 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 48 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 42m
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 West Bend, 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 West Bend, WI
This is one driving day of about 220.3 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from West Bend, 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
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.1 miles from West Bend, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 215 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 8th Avenue
Turn right onto North 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
46.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
138.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
214.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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
215 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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
$34.44 one way
$68.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.82 | $75.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.39 | $84.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.64 | $97.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.28 | $8.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.84 | $14.10 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Tuesday
Local time
4:49 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 29m 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 predominantly highway experience on this route, with 92% of the journey on high-speed roads like I-94 and I-90. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.1 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of State Highway 33 offers a slight variation in scenery and pace. This drive is designed for efficiency, allowing you to cover significant distance quickly.
92% 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?
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 0.2 miles in near North 8th 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 18 significant decision points across 220.3 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 0.2 miles (North 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.7 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.
Between West Bend, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.
Portage
46.9 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Saint Paul
138.7 mi in
|
~2h 57m
|
via I 94
About the Cities
Starting in West Bend, WI
Full guide →West Bend is a city of 30,000 people in Southeast Wisconsin.
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 29m. Total distance: 220.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 0.2 miles (North 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 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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