Origin
Ettrick, WI
Night in Ettrick on Sunday
Local time
10:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ettrick, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
59.1 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.
Ettrick, WI
Anete Lusina
Eau Claire, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest, this 59.1-mile connection from Ettrick to Eau Claire is an ideal choice. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about $9 on fuel, keeping the overhead for this Wisconsin trek very low. Because the drive is short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays, allowing you to easily complete the loop in one go. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused route offers a reliable way to navigate between these two points.
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
29.5 miles from Ettrick, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is defined by a high-efficiency pace, with 76% of your time spent on major highways. You will rely primarily on US Highway 53, I-94, and Main Street to navigate the corridor. The road’s personality is geared toward consistent movement, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.4 miles on US Highway 53. Transitioning from the local roads onto the interstate system, you will find the drive shifts from smaller thoroughfares to the faster, more predictable flow of Wisconsin’s highway network. It is a functional, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CTH D / 1st Street West.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (CTH D / 1st Street West): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (US 53; WI 121; CTH D / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH D / 1st Street West
Turn left onto CTH D / 1st Street West
Navigation decision point
4
16.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 53; WI 121; CTH D / Main Street
Turn right onto US 53; WI 121; CTH D / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
36.3 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
53.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
6
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ettrick, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Superior along the way.
Superior
53.6 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 53 | 26.4 mi | 36m |
| I 94 | 17 mi | 18m |
| Main Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| 10th Street | 1 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 Ettrick, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
333 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto CTH D
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
1st Street West
3
Turn right onto US 53
16 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 53
4
Continue on US 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ervin Street
5
Turn right onto US 53; WI 121; CTH D
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on US 53
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 53
7
Continue on US 53
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Harmony Street
8
Turn right onto US 10
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
10th Street
9
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
10
Merge onto I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
13
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
14
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
15
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
16
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
17
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
18
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
19
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief, 1 hour and 21-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about complex stop-planning, as the direct nature of the route allows you to reach your destination without any mandatory breaks. Keep in mind that with zero designated stops, it is wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled up for the $9 estimate before you head out. Because you spend the majority of the trip on highways like US 53 and I-94, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure the smoothest possible transition between these two towns. The lack of required stops is a major advantage here, giving you total control over your arrival time.
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 29.5 miles from Ettrick, WI, or about 42m 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 59.1 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.5 miles or 42m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eau Claire, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, WI
This is one driving day of about 59.1 miles and 1h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ettrick, 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 29.5 mi from Ettrick, WI · 42m 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 59.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.5 miles from Ettrick, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Eau Claire, WI
The final approach into Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, 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
$8.98 one way
$17.95 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.90 | $19.79 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.16 | $22.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.13 | $26.26 |
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 | 17.7 | 0 | $6.21 | $2.84 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
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
Eau Claire, WI
Night in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
10:08 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 Ettrick, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 59.1 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, Main 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 29.5 miles from Ettrick, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.98 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 59.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (CTH D / 1st Street West): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (US 53; WI 121; CTH D / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Ettrick, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Superior along the way.
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