Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
107.1 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Hayward, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI covers 107.1 miles and takes about 2h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 53, US 63, Birch Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.9 miles on US 53. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.74 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.
Midpoint
53.5 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 107.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 9m highway drive covering 107.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 53 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.9 miles on US 53.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and US 63. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI is easy. At 2h 9m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (US 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Farwell Street
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
Navigation decision point
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 53
Merge onto US 53
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 North, CTH E: Hayward
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 172
Toward US 63 North, CTH E: Hayward
5
86.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
US 63
Enter roundabout onto US 63
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth E: Hayward along the way.
Cth E: Hayward
86.1 mi in
|
~1h 39m
|
via US 63
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 53 | 82.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| US 63 | 21 mi | 30m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| River Prairie Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Madison Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Germania Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Grand Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 53
— 82.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Hayward, WI.
1
Start on East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Farwell Street
3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Madison Street
4
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Germania Street
5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 53
83 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 63
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 63
Exit 172
Toward US 63 North, CTH E: Hayward
10
Enter roundabout onto US 63
29 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 63
11
Continue on US 63
21 mi
·
29 min
·
US 63
Use the straight lane.
12
Arrive at destination
US 63
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.5 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.9 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hayward, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 107.1 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Eau Claire, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 53 for about 82.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.5 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.5 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 53 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.9 miles.
Arriving in Hayward, WI
The final approach into Hayward, 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 Hayward, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.74 one way
$33.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.38 | $36.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.61 | $41.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.65 | $47.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.25 | $5.14 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.99 | $6.85 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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
Hayward, WI
Afternoon in Hayward on Friday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
4 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
2h 9m 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 Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI covers 107.1 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 53, US 63, Birch Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 miles from Eau Claire, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI is easy. At 2h 9m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles (US 53): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Hayward, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth E: Hayward along the way.
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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