Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
47.2 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Alma, WI
Tom Fisk
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Alma, WI covers 47.2 miles and takes about 1h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Road 37, State Highway 37, State Road 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.8 miles on State Road 37. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.38 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 47.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (10%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 1h 12m drive with frequent turns across 47.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
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 47.2 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (East Lexington Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (Patton Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto East Lexington Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto Patton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 12 / East Clairemont Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto WI 37 / State Highway 37
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Alma, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Wis 37 along the way.
Wis 37
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Road 37 | 35.8 mi | 51m |
| State Highway 37 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| State Road 35 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West Riverside Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Clairemont Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Alma, WI.
Start on East Grand Avenue
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Continue on State Street
Enter roundabout onto East Lexington Boulevard
Continue on East Lexington Boulevard
Turn left onto Patton Street
Turn left onto US 12
Turn slight left
Turn left onto WI 37
Continue on WI 37
Continue on WI 37
Turn right onto US 10; WI 37
Turn left onto WI 37; H
Turn right onto WI 37
Continue on WI 37
At end of road, turn left onto WI 35
Continue on WI 35
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.6 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Alma, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.38 one way
$14.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.10 | $16.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.08 | $18.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.13 | $1.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.61 | $3.02 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Eau Claire on Thursday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Alma on Thursday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
53°F
Caryville, WI
24 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Alma, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Eau Claire, WI or Alma, WI on MapSof.net.
