Origin
Little Suamico, WI
Afternoon in Little Suamico on Friday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
192.9 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little Suamico, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Little Suamico to Eau Claire is 192.9 miles and takes about 3h 55m via WI 29, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Expect a focused highway experience for most of the 192.9 miles. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state, this route covers the distance without much fuss.
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
96.5 miles from Little Suamico, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 192.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience predominantly high-speed travel for the bulk of the 192.9 miles. The longest continuous stretch on this route is 90.1 miles on WI 29, so be prepared for a significant period of uninterrupted driving. While the majority is highway, there are brief transitions onto other main roads like WI 55 and US 45, offering slight variations in scenery and pace. Overall, think of this as a consistent and fast-paced road trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and WI 55. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CTH S / County Highway S.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 192.9 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 0.3 miles (CTH S / County Highway S): Navigation decision point; at 11.9 miles (WI 32 / State Highway 32): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (WI 160 / West Pulaski Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto CTH S / County Highway S
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto WI 32 / State Highway 32
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto WI 160 / West Pulaski Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto WI 29 toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Little Suamico, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chippewa Falls along the way.
Chippewa Falls
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 90.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| WI 55 | 44.8 mi | 52m |
| US 45 | 30.4 mi | 35m |
| County Highway S | 11.6 mi | 20m |
| US 53 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 160 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 32 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Birch Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Little Suamico, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
Start on CTH J
Turn left onto CTH S
Turn left onto WI 32
Continue on WI 32
Turn right onto WI 160
Continue on WI 160
Take the ramp onto WI 55
Continue on US 45; WI 29
Take the exit onto WI 29
Take the exit
Merge onto US 53
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
Continue on Birch Street
Continue on Germania Street
Continue on East Madison Street
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 55m duration and 192.9-mile distance, this is easily a same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or quick breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Little Suamico. With the longest stretch being over 90 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you see services indicated. You'll primarily be on WI 29 for a substantial portion, so keep an eye out for service areas along that highway.
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.
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 42 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eau Claire, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Little Suamico, 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 Little Suamico, WI
This is one driving day of about 192.9 miles and 3h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.5 mi from Little Suamico, WI · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 96.5 miles from Little Suamico, 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 90.1 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.12 | $74.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.59 | $85.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.25 | $9.26 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.01 | $12.35 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Little Suamico on Friday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
1:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
64°F
Athens, WI
96 mi in
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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