Origin
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Monday
Local time
2:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eau Claire, WI to Whitefish Bay, WI
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
25 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eau Claire, WI
Tom Fisk
Whitefish Bay, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Eau Claire, WI to Whitefish Bay, WI covers 248 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on WI 29, WI 54, State Highway 42/57 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 179.3 miles on WI 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.67 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
124 miles from Eau Claire, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 1m highway drive covering 248 miles, with most of the trip on WI 29 and WI 54. The longest continuous stretch is about 179.3 miles on WI 29.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WI 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 179.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and WI 54. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 248 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.1 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
96.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
7
101.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
WI 29
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29 toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
6
188.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Marinette
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Marinette
6
190 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 170B
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
Towns Along This Route
Between Eau Claire, WI and Whitefish Bay, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Green Bay, Lmct: Sturgeon Bay and Algoma.
Madison
96.6 mi in
|
~1h 53m
|
via WI 29
Green Bay
101.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via WI 29
Lmct: Sturgeon Bay
195.9 mi in
|
~3h 50m
Algoma
195.9 mi in
|
~3h 50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 179.3 mi | 3h 26m |
| WI 54 | 33.4 mi | 38m |
| State Highway 42/57 | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| US 53 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| WI 57 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| I 43 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Whitefish Bay Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
WI 29
— 179.3 mi, about 3h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire, WI and Whitefish Bay, WI.
1
Start on East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Farwell Street
3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Madison Street
4
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Germania Street
5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 53
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 53
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95A
Toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
10
Merge onto WI 29
88 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
WI 29
11
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 29
87 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
WI 29
Exit 187
Toward WI 29 East: Weston, Green Bay
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Marinette
14
Merge onto I 41; US 41
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 41; US 41
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 43 South, US 141 South: Milwaukee
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 170B
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
17
Continue on I 43
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 43
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward WI 54, WI 57, LMCT: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
20
Merge onto WI 54; WI 57
33 mi
·
38 min
·
WI 54; WI 57
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
21
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 42/57
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
106 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
23
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 42/57
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
25
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 42/57
26
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Egg Harbor Road
27
Turn slight right onto WI 57
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
WI 57
28
Turn right onto CTH T
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Whitefish Bay Road
29
Turn slight left
15 ft
·
1 sec
30
Arrive at destination
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 124 miles from Eau Claire, WI, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.3 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitefish Bay, 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 248 miles and 5h 1m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on WI 29 for about 179.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124 mi from Eau Claire, WI · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 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 WI 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.3 miles.
Arriving in Whitefish Bay, WI
The final approach into Whitefish Bay, 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 Whitefish Bay, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.67 one way
$75.34 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.53 | $83.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.82 | $93.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.10 | $110.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Woodman's Food Market - Tesla Supercharger
Altoona, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
The Hilton Garden Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Wausau, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Howard, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
AmericInn by Wyndham Sturgeon Bay - Tesla Supercharger
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Shoppes at Oakwood - Tesla Supercharger
Eau Claire, WI
Tesla
6 DCFC
Target T0364 (Schofield, WI)
Schofield, WI
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Meijer #298 (Howard, WI)
Howard, WI
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Eau Claire Ford
Eau Claire, WI
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Tesla: 5
FORD_CHARGE: 5
EV Connect: 4
Electrify America: 3
ZEFNET: 2
ChargePoint Network: 2
Blink Network: 2
KWIK_CHARGE: 1
SYNERGEV: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Whitefish Bay, WI
Afternoon in Whitefish Bay on Monday
Local time
2:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
1 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
5h 1m 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 Whitefish Bay, WI covers 248 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WI 29, WI 54, State Highway 42/57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124 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 $37.67 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 demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 248 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.1 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Eau Claire, WI and Whitefish Bay, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Green Bay, Lmct: Sturgeon Bay and Algoma.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Whitefish Bay, WI
More trips to Whitefish Bay, WI
Explore more options from Eau Claire, WI or browse trips ending in Whitefish Bay, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Eau Claire, WI or Whitefish Bay, WI on MapSof.net.