The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Addison, WI covers 211.7 miles and takes about 4h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, State Highway 16, State Highway 33 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.4 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.10 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
105.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 211.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 14m highway drive covering 211.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and State Highway 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 136.4 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 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 136.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 16. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 211.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.4 mi into trip|~9m in|US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
6 mi into trip|~10m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Addison, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
Baraboo
142.5 mi in|~2h 36m
Horicon
187.9 mi in|~3h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
136.4 mi
2h 26m
State Highway 16
22.6 mi
31m
State Highway 33
20.5 mi
29m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
WI 33
4 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.8 mi
4m
South Hastings Way
2.3 mi
2m
West Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.4 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Addison, WI.
1
Start on East Grand Avenue
35 ft·5 sec·East Grand Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
3
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Washington Street
4
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
5
Continue on Brackett Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·Brackett Avenue
6
Turn slight right
515 ft·18 sec
7
Turn straight onto US 53 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Hastings Way
8
Take the ramp onto US 53 Business
2.3 mi·2 min·South Hastings Way
9
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
10
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
11
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 94
136 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 106Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
15
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
16
Turn straight onto WI 33
4.0 mi·5 min·WI 33
17
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·West Wisconsin Street
18
Continue on US 51; WI 16
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
19
Turn left onto WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
20
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.4 mi·53 sec·James Street
21
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
22
Merge onto US 151
13 mi·15 min·US 151
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
24
Keep slight right at fork
228 ft·5 sec
25
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.3 mi·30 sec·Park Avenue
26
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
27
Continue on Washington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Street
28
Turn left onto WI 33
0.3 mi·26 sec·Main Street
29
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·23 sec·Barstow Street
30
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.1 mi·17 sec·Vine Street
31
Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E
1.2 mi·1 min·East Lake Street
32
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
33
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
150 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
34
Continue on WI 33
4.1 mi·6 min·State Highway 33
35
Turn left onto Yellowstone Trail
0.2 mi·41 sec·Yellowstone Trail
36
Arrive at destination
Yellowstone Trail
Trip Plan
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 105.9 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.4 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.9 miles or 1h 57m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Addison, 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 211.7 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Eau Claire, 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 136.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.9 mi from Eau Claire, WI
· 1h 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 105.9 miles from Eau Claire, 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 136.4 miles.
Arriving in Addison, WI
The final approach into Addison, 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 Addison, 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.
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 116.8
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.10 one way
$66.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.34
$72.68
premium
$4.89
$40.74
$81.48
diesel
$5.61
$46.74
$93.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
EV Truck/SUV
84.7
1
$29.64
$13.55
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Morning
in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Addison, WI
Morning
in Addison on Friday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m 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 Eau Claire, WI to Addison, WI covers 211.7 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Highway 16, State Highway 33. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.9 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 $33.10 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 211.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Addison, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
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.
