Delavan, WI to Eau Claire, WI is 229.2 miles and takes about 4h 17m via I 94, I 39, and I 90, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving you across the Midwest region. It's a straightforward highway-focused journey, ideal for a single-day drive when you need to cover ground efficiently. Expect a practical, no-fuss experience as you navigate from one point to another.
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
114.6 miles from Delavan, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 229.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of your travel on major interstates like I 94, I 39, and I 90. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 76.1 miles on I 94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent, high-speed driving. The character of the drive is focused on efficiency, meaning you'll spend most of your time on this well-maintained highway infrastructure. It’s a route designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal interruption.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 229.2 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 18.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
18.1 mi into trip|~27m in
Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
5
18.4 mi into trip|~27m in|I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
147.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
223.9 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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.
On the drive from Delavan, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
147.6 mi in|~2h 46m|via I 94
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
76.1 mi
1h 21m
I 39
65.8 mi
1h 10m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
State Highway 11
15.4 mi
21m
South Hastings Way
1.6 mi
3m
East Racine Street
1.5 mi
2m
US 53
1.3 mi
1m
East Walworth Avenue
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delavan, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on WI 11; CTH O
383 ft·18 sec·East Walworth Avenue
2
Continue on WI 11; CTH O
1.1 mi·3 min·East Walworth Avenue
3
Continue on WI 11
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 11
4
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
5
Enter roundabout
10 ft·0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
6
Continue
0.3 mi·17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
12
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
13
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
14
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
15
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
16
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
17
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
18
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 17m duration, starting your drive in Delavan, WI, in the morning will allow you to reach Eau Claire, WI, with plenty of daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop, the 76.1-mile stretch on I 94 suggests planning for fuel and a break before you hit that longer segment. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is a good baseline, but always check current prices. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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 114.6 miles from Delavan, WI, or about 2h 10m 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.6 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m
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 Delavan, 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 Delavan, WI
This is one driving day of about 229.2 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Delavan, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.6 mi from Delavan, WI
· 2h 10m into the drive
The midpoint is around 114.6 miles from Delavan, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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 110.6
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.83 one way
$71.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.34
$78.69
premium
$4.89
$44.11
$88.21
diesel
$5.61
$50.60
$101.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.17
EV Truck/SUV
91.7
1
$32.09
$14.67
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Delavan, WI
Morning
in Delavan on Saturday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning
in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
9:55 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
18 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 17m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Delavan, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 229.2 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 39, I 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.6 miles from Delavan, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.83 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 229.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Delavan, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
