Origin
Dale, WI
Morning in Dale on Saturday
Local time
11:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dale, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
166.5 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dale, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dale to Eau Claire is 166.5 miles and takes about 3h 33m via US Highway 10 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Wisconsin, taking you from one Midwest locale to another. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, it's an efficient trip for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours. Plan for a full day of driving with this route, as it's designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.2 miles from Dale, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 166.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on high-speed roads like US Highway 10 and I 94. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 123.6 miles primarily on US Highway 10, which should allow for a steady pace. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a predictable experience as you move across the state. Expect a smooth ride that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 123.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near WI 96 / State Highway 96.
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 166.5 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 3 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WI 96 / State Highway 96
Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / State Highway 96 toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
5
9.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp toward US_10_West: Waupaca, Steven_Point
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US_10_West: Waupaca, Steven_Point
5
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
5
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 10 / US Highway 10
Take the exit onto US 10 / US Highway 10 toward US 10 West: Marshfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 165
Toward US 10 West: Marshfield
6
161.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dale, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Us_10_West: Waupaca and Steven_Point.
Us_10_West: Waupaca
9.1 mi in
|
~13m
Steven_Point
9.1 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 10 | 123.6 mi | 2h 35m |
| I 94 | 17 mi | 18m |
| US 10 | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| State Road 96 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Wisconsin Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Division Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 96 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 10
— 123.6 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dale, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Depot Road
13 ft
·
6 sec
·
Depot Road
2
Turn left onto WI 96
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 96
3
Continue on WI 96
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 96
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
5
Continue on WI 96
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 96
Toward WIS 96 West: Fremont
6
Continue on WI 96
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Road 96
7
Turn left onto WI 96; WI 110
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
State Highway 110
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US_10_West: Waupaca, Steven_Point
9
Merge onto US 10
40 mi
·
46 min
·
US Highway 10
10
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
11
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
12
Take the exit onto US 10
30 mi
·
35 min
·
US Highway 10
Exit 165
Toward US 10 West: Marshfield
13
Enter roundabout onto US 10
282 ft
·
15 sec
·
US Highway 10
14
Continue on US 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 10
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
US Highway 10
16
Merge onto US 10
21 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 10
17
Continue on US 10
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
18
Continue on US 10
31 mi
·
41 min
·
US Highway 10
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on US 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
21
Merge onto I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
24
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
25
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
26
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
27
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
28
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
29
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
30
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 4 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Eau Claire by the afternoon. There's one recommended stop, but given the relatively short distance, you can be flexible with your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 123.6-mile stretch on US Highway 10, as services might be less frequent. A good strategy is to refuel before you begin that longer segment.
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 83.2 miles from Dale, WI, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.6 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
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 Dale, 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 Dale, WI
This is one driving day of about 166.5 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Dale, 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 US Highway 10 for about 123.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.2 mi from Dale, WI · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Dale, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.6 miles.
Arriving in Eau Claire, WI
The final approach into Eau Claire, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Eau Claire, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.03 one way
$52.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.58 | $57.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
11:27 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
19 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
3h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dale, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 166.5 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 10, I 94, US 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.2 miles from Dale, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 166.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (WI 96 / State Highway 96): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dale, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Us_10_West: Waupaca and Steven_Point.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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