Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
167.6 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Cross Plains, WI covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Farwell Street, Washington Street, Harding Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
83.8 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 16m drive with frequent turns across 167.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Farwell Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harding Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brackett Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hastings Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Hastings Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 53 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Cross Plains, WI.
Start on East Grand Avenue
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Continue on Harding Avenue
Continue on Brackett Avenue
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Hastings Way
Take the ramp straight toward South Hastings Way
Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Keep slight right
Merge slight left
Continue on Phillips Boulevard
Continue straight
Turn right onto State Highway 78
Continue on State Highway 19/78
Turn left onto US Highway 14
Continue on State Street
Continue on US Highway 14
Continue straight
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 38m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross Plains, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, WI
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cross Plains, 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 Cross Plains, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.76 one way
$45.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $25.40 | $50.81 |
| premium | $4.15 | $27.38 | $54.77 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $24.74 | $49.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.46 | $10.73 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cross Plains on Saturday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Rockford, IL
84 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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