Origin
Mauston, WI
Late night in Mauston on Friday
Local time
3:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mauston, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h
Distance
106.7 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 51m
★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mauston, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 106.7-mile drive from Mauston, WI to Eau Claire, WI is designed for efficiency, taking about 2 hours to complete. Primarily utilizing I-94 and I-90, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. Expect a focused driving experience with minimal detours, ideal if you want to get from point A to point B without much fuss. The journey stays within Wisconsin, offering a consistent regional feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.4 miles from Mauston, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 106.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Get ready for a highway-focused experience on this 106.7-mile journey, with 95% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-94 and I-90. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 76.1 miles on I-94, which means long periods of steady driving. While the route prioritizes speed and directness, keep an eye out for the transition onto South Hastings Way as you approach Eau Claire. This predominantly interstate profile suggests a predictable driving rhythm focused on covering ground.
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.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 12; WI 16 / East State Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 106.7 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: near the start (US 12; WI 16 / East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (State Highway 82): 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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 12; WI 16 / East State Street
Turn right onto US 12; WI 16 / East State Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street
Turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
State Highway 82
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
Navigation decision point
8
25.2 mi into trip
|
~28m 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
101.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mauston, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Superior.
Saint Paul
25.2 mi in
|
~28m
|
via I 94
Superior
101.3 mi in
|
~1h 50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 23.5 mi | 25m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 82 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Farwell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Brackett Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mauston, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Division Street
64 ft
·
8 sec
·
Division Street
2
Turn right onto US 12; WI 16
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
East State Street
3
Turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Union Street
4
Turn right onto WI 82
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 82
5
Continue on State Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 82
6
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
29 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 82
7
Continue on State Highway 82
112 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 82
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
9
Merge onto I 90; I 94
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 90; I 94
10
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.
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
Given its 2-hour duration and 106.7-mile length, this trip is comfortably managed in a single day. Aiming for an early morning departure from Mauston will allow you to arrive in Eau Claire with plenty of daylight. Since the majority of the drive is on I-94, you'll experience a long stretch of 76.1 miles without needing to exit. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, and consider a brief rest break around the halfway point to stay refreshed. The estimated fuel cost of $17 makes this an affordable excursion, so you can focus on the road ahead.
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 53.4 miles from Mauston, WI, or about 59m 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 59m 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 35m
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 Mauston, 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 Mauston, WI
This is one driving day of about 106.7 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Mauston, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.4 mi from Mauston, WI · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Mauston, 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.
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
$16.68 one way
$33.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.32 | $36.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.53 | $41.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.56 | $47.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.20 | $5.12 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.94 | $6.83 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Late night in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
3:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
19 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
2h 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 Mauston, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 106.7 miles and takes about 2h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 90, South Hastings Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.4 miles from Mauston, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.68 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 106.7 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: near the start (US 12; WI 16 / East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point.
Between Mauston, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Superior.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Eau Claire, WI
More from Mauston, WI
More trips to Eau Claire, WI
Explore more options from Mauston, WI or browse trips ending in Eau Claire, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.