Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
9:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Ettrick, WI
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
59.2 mi
95 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Tom Fisk
Ettrick, WI
Anete Lusina
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Eau Claire to Ettrick, Wisconsin, expect a straightforward journey covering 59.2 miles. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a quick day trip. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 53, I-94, and Ekern Street. With fuel costs estimated at around $9, it is an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you choose to linger. It is a practical, efficient route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as your longest uninterrupted stretch is 26.4 miles along US Highway 53. The experience shifts from the busier transit corridors of the interstate to the more local feel of the final approach on Ekern Street. Because the route is designed for efficiency, you can expect a consistent pace rather than technical, winding navigation. It is the type of drive where you can settle in, maintain a steady speed, and reach your destination with minimal stress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 53 and I 94. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 53.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese 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
6
22.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
5
23 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
42.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
US 53 / Ervin Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 53 / Ervin Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
CTH D / South Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto CTH D / South Main Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Ettrick, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fairchild along the way.
Fairchild
22.8 mi in
|
~28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 53 | 26.4 mi | 36m |
| I 94 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| Ekern Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| South Hastings Way | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Hastings Way | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 53
— 26.4 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Ettrick, 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
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 88
Toward US 10: Osseo, Fairchild
15
Keep slight right at fork
212 ft
·
5 sec
16
Turn right onto US 10
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
10th Street
17
Turn left onto US 53
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Street
18
Continue on US 53
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 53
19
Continue on US 53
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Ekern Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ervin Street
21
Continue on US 53
16 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 53
22
Turn left onto CTH D
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street West
23
At end of road, turn right onto CTH D
333 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 21-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about mid-trip refueling stops given the modest $9 fuel requirement, so fueling up in Eau Claire before you head out is your best bet. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition off the primary highway system onto Ekern Street to ensure you stay on track for your arrival in Ettrick. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, consider this an easy run that allows you to arrive at your destination refreshed. Use the simplicity of the 59.2-mile distance to your advantage and plan your arrival around your specific local agenda.
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 29.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.4 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 59.2 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.6 miles or 39m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, 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 59.2 miles and 1h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eau Claire, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 53 for about 26.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.6 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 59.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.6 miles from Eau Claire, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ettrick, WI
The final approach into Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, 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
$8.99 one way
$17.98 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.91 | $19.83 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.18 | $22.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.15 | $26.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.29 | $3.79 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ettrick, WI
Night in Ettrick on Sunday
Local time
9:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 21m 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 Ettrick, WI covers 59.2 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 53, I 94, Ekern 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 29.6 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 $8.99 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Ettrick, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fairchild along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ettrick, WI
More trips to Ettrick, WI
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Ettrick, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Eau Claire, WI or Ettrick, WI on MapSof.net.