Origin
Neenah, WI
Late night in Neenah on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Neenah, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
179.9 mi
290 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Neenah, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 179.9-mile drive from Neenah to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 10 and I-94, with 93% of the journey on highways, making it a straightforward drive across the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 142.3 miles on US Highway 10, so plan for one main stop to break up the journey. This drive offers a practical way to travel between two Wisconsin cities without major detours.
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 miles from Neenah, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 179.9-mile trip. With 93% of the route on highways like US Highway 10 and I-94, you'll find a steady pace for much of the 3-hour, 50-minute drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 142.3 miles on US Highway 10, indicating long periods of consistent driving. While not a winding scenic byway, this route offers efficiency and directness. The character is predominantly that of a functional Midwestern highway, designed for straightforward travel rather than picturesque views.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 142.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 114 / South Commercial Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 179.9 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: near the start (WI 114 / South Commercial Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (Jacobsen Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.5 miles (CTH CB / County Road CB): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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
|
WI 114 / South Commercial Street
Turn right onto WI 114 / South Commercial Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Jacobsen Road
Enter roundabout onto Jacobsen Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
CTH CB / County Road CB
Turn right onto CTH CB / County Road CB
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward US 10 West: Stevens_Point, Fremont
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 10 West: Stevens_Point, Fremont
6
174.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 10 | 142.3 mi | 2h 57m |
| I 94 | 17 mi | 18m |
| US 10 | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Division Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North Lake Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 10
— 142.3 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Neenah, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on West Doty Avenue
99 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Doty Avenue
2
Turn right onto WI 114
303 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Commercial Street
3
Turn right onto West Columbian Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Columbian Avenue
4
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Smith Street
5
Turn straight onto Torrey Street
259 ft
·
5 sec
·
Torrey Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
7
Turn right onto North Lake Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lake Street
8
Turn straight onto CTH PP
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
County Highway PP
9
Continue on CTH PP
391 ft
·
9 sec
·
County Road PP
10
Continue on Jacobsen Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Jacobsen Road
11
Enter roundabout onto Jacobsen Road
118 ft
·
6 sec
·
Jacobsen Road
12
Continue on Jacobsen Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Jacobsen Road
13
Turn right onto CTH CB
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
County Road CB
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward US 10 West: Stevens_Point, Fremont
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 10
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi
·
54 min
·
US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
17
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
18
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
19
Take the exit onto US 10
30 mi
·
35 min
·
US Highway 10
Exit 165
Toward US 10 West: Marshfield
20
Enter roundabout onto US 10
282 ft
·
15 sec
·
US Highway 10
21
Continue on US 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 10
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
US Highway 10
23
Merge onto US 10
21 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 10
24
Continue on US 10
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Division Street
25
Continue on US 10
31 mi
·
41 min
·
US Highway 10
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Continue on US 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
28
Merge onto I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
31
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
32
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
33
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
34
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
35
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
36
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
37
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 50-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Aim to depart Neenah in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, flexibility is key. Consider pulling over around the halfway point of the 142.3-mile stretch on US Highway 10 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as longer stretches between services can occur on US-10. This route is about efficient travel, so pack snacks and enjoy the straightforward journey.
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 miles from Neenah, WI, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.3 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 40 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 50m 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 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 Neenah, 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 Neenah, WI
This is one driving day of about 179.9 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Neenah, 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 US Highway 10 for about 142.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90 mi from Neenah, WI · 1h 50m 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90 miles from Neenah, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.13 one way
$56.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.88 | $61.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.72 | $79.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.74 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.19 | $11.51 |
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
Late night in Eau Claire on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNW 0 to 5 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 2:34PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM 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
23 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
3h 50m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Neenah, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 179.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 10, I 94, US 10. 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 miles from Neenah, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.13 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 22 significant decision points across 179.9 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: near the start (WI 114 / South Commercial Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (Jacobsen Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.5 miles (CTH CB / County Road CB): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Neenah, WI to Eau Claire, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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