The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Richfield, WI covers 220.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m 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 60 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 $34.50 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
110.3 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 220.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 4h 34m highway drive covering 220.7 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 31 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Farwell Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Farwell Street
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
Navigation decision point
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
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 Richfield, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Baraboo
142.5 mi in|~2h 36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
136.4 mi
2h 26m
State Highway 16
22.6 mi
31m
State Highway 60
19.6 mi
29m
Highway 16 & 60
13.7 mi
18m
State Highway 175
6.5 mi
10m
WI 33
4 mi
5m
West Sumner Street
3.7 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.8 mi
4m
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 Richfield, 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
1.8 mi·4 min·James Street
21
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.4 mi·57 sec·Manning Street
22
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
14 mi·18 min·Highway 16 & 60
23
Continue on WI 60
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 60
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
129 ft·2 sec·State Highway 60
25
Continue on WI 60
2.0 mi·2 min·State Highway 60
26
Continue on WI 60
3.7 mi·5 min·West Sumner Street
27
Continue on WI 60
2.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 60
28
Continue on WI 60
1.4 mi·2 min·West Commerce Boulevard
29
Turn right onto WI 175
6.5 mi·10 min·State Highway 175
30
Turn left onto Depot Street
71 ft·3 sec·Depot Street
31
Arrive at destination
Depot Street
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 110.3 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 2m 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richfield, 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 220.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 110.3 mi from Eau Claire, WI
· 2h 2m into the drive
The midpoint is around 110.3 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 Richfield, WI
The final approach into Richfield, 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 Richfield, 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 114.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.50 one way
$69.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.88
$75.77
premium
$4.89
$42.47
$84.94
diesel
$5.61
$48.73
$97.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
EV Truck/SUV
88.3
1
$30.90
$14.12
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
11:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Richfield, WI
Morning
in Richfield on Friday
Local time
11:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
2 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
4h 34m 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 Richfield, WI covers 220.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m 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 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.3 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 $34.50 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 is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Farwell Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
On the drive from Eau Claire, WI to Richfield, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Baraboo along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
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.
