Origin
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
180.1 mi
290 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
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 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Monona to Eau Claire, this 180.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Wisconsin. You should plan for about 3 hours and 20 minutes of drive time, making it an ideal day trip if you want to get from the Madison area to the Chippewa Valley quickly. Since the route is entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the journey. Budget roughly $27 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans flexible and efficient.
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
90.1 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a dedicated highway-focused drive, as 95% of this route relies on major interstates including I-39, I-90, and I-94. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on high-speed roads, allowing for steady progress toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 76.1 miles on I-94, which demands sustained focus behind the wheel. While the road is designed for efficiency rather than technical curves, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a brisk pace. Prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and directness over secondary backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 51 / South Stoughton Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 180.1 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 1.3 miles (US 51 / South Stoughton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 51 / South Stoughton Road
Turn left onto US 51 / South Stoughton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 3B
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
35.1 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
98.6 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
174.9 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Monona, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
98.6 mi in
|
~1h 49m
|
via I 94
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 76.1 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 39 | 28.9 mi | 31m |
| South Stoughton Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| WI 30 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 51
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Stoughton Road
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
5
Merge onto WI 30
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 30
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 3B
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
12
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
13
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
14
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
15
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
16
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
17
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
18
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the interstate sections. Since the entire drive takes just over three hours, a single well-timed stop is usually sufficient to recharge and stretch your legs. Keep your eyes on the road during the 76.1-mile stretch on I-94, as consistent highway driving can lead to fatigue. If you are traveling on a budget, remember that your estimated $27 fuel cost may fluctuate based on current gas prices along the corridor. Use the flexibility of this short route to time your arrival in Eau Claire exactly when you need to be there.
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 90.1 miles from Monona, WI, or about 1h 40m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
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 Monona, 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 Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 180.1 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monona, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.1 mi from Monona, WI · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 90.1 miles from Monona, 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
$27.36 one way
$54.71 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.16 | $60.31 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.01 | $80.02 |
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: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.91 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.76 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.21 | $11.53 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Sunday
Local time
4:17 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
3 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
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 Monona, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 180.1 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 90, I 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.1 miles from Monona, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.36 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 180.1 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 1.3 miles (US 51 / South Stoughton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Monona, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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