Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
137.5 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
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
Baraboo, WI
Tom Fisk
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Baraboo, WI covers 137.5 miles and takes about 2h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, US 12, South Hastings Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.5 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.50 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
68.7 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 137.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 2h 35m highway drive covering 137.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 122.5 miles on I 94.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward WI-33 EAST, WI-136
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Baraboo, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 122.5 mi | 2h 11m |
| US 12 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 8th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Linn Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Baraboo, 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 US 53 Business
Take the ramp onto US 53 Business
Turn straight onto US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Continue on US 53
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 12
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto WI 33; WI 136
Continue on WI 33; WI 136
Enter roundabout onto WI 33; WI 136
Continue on WI 33; WI 136
Continue on US 12 BUS; WI 33
Continue on US 12 BUS; WI 33
Turn right onto US 12 BUS; WI 113
Arrive at destination
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.
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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baraboo, 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 137.5 miles and 2h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.7 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 68.7 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 I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.5 miles.
The final approach into Baraboo, 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 Baraboo, 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.
Regular Gas
$21.50 one way
$42.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.60 | $47.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.46 | $52.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.36 | $60.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.44 | $6.60 |
| Efficient EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.03 | $5.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55 | 0 | $19.25 | $8.80 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
6:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Baraboo on Thursday
Local time
6:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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