Origin
Maple Bluff, WI
Afternoon in Maple Bluff on Saturday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maple Bluff, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
175.3 mi
282 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Bluff, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Maple Bluff, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 175.3 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, I 90, I 39 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.1 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
87.7 miles from Maple Bluff, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 39 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| County Highway CV | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Packers Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Bluff, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Bay Avenue
129 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bay Avenue
2
Turn left onto Farwell Drive
277 ft
·
13 sec
·
Farwell Drive
3
Continue on Farwell Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Farwell Drive
4
Turn right onto Sheridan Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Drive
5
Turn left onto Wyldewood Drive
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Wyldewood Drive
6
Turn left onto Monterey Drive
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Monterey Drive
7
Continue on Trailsway
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Trailsway
8
At end of road, turn left onto North Sherman Avenue
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Sherman Avenue
9
Turn right onto WI 113
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Northport Drive
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Darwin Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Darwin Road
11
Turn left onto CTH CV
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Packers Avenue
12
Continue on CTH CV
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway CV
13
Turn slight left
499 ft
·
26 sec
14
Turn left onto US 51; CTH CV
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
US Highway 51
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
16
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
21
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
22
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
23
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
24
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
25
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
26
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
27
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
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 87.7 miles from Maple Bluff, WI, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 39 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
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 Maple Bluff, 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 Maple Bluff, WI
This is one driving day of about 175.3 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Maple Bluff, 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 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.7 miles from Maple Bluff, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 170 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis De...
5
7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
93.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
170 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.41 one way
$54.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.09 | $60.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.70 | $77.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.41 | $8.41 |
| Efficient EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.34 | $7.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.1 | 0 | $24.54 | $11.22 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Saturday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:18PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
35 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 20m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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 60.5
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
175.3 mi in 3h 20m, mostly highway — 76.1 mi of that is on I 94.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.1 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 175.3 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Maple Bluff, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
93.8 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 175.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.1 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Eau Claire, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Eau Claire, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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