This 224.8-mile drive from Newark to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 21 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $35. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates like I-94, I-90, and I-39, making for an efficient trip across the Midwest. The route is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively, so if you're looking for a quick and easy transit between these two Wisconsin locations, this is a solid option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
112.4 miles from Newark, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 224.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates. This means you'll be covering ground quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 76.1 miles on I-94. The character of the drive is largely about consistent speed and efficient travel rather than winding country roads or city sightseeing. While it's a highway-centric path, the transitions between I-94, I-90, and I-39 are well-integrated, keeping the flow smooth as you make your way across the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 40.3 miles in near US 14.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 224.8 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 40.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
40.3 mi into trip|~57m in|US 14
Take the exit onto US 14 toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 132A-B
Toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
7
40.5 mi into trip|~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12 East, US 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132A
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
8
46.6 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 267B
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wiscon...
6
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
143.3 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells and Saint Paul.
Wisconsin Dells
46.6 mi in|~1h 5m
Saint Paul
143.3 mi in|~2h 50m|via I 94
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
76.1 mi
1h 21m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
I 39
32.4 mi
34m
State Highway 104
13.7 mi
19m
US 14
8.4 mi
9m
State Highway 81
6.1 mi
8m
West Beltline Highway
5.8 mi
7m
County Highway MM
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH K
188 ft·4 sec·County Road K
2
Turn right onto West Beloit Newark Road
1.5 mi·2 min·West Beloit Newark Road
3
Turn right onto WI 81
6.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 81
4
Turn right onto CTH T
3.8 mi·5 min·County Highway T
5
Continue on WI 104
6.2 mi·9 min·State Highway 104
6
Continue on WI 59; WI 104
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 59
7
Turn straight onto WI 104
7.5 mi·10 min·State Highway 104
8
Continue on WI 104
0.9 mi·2 min·South Rutland Avenue
9
Continue on CTH MM
3.8 mi·5 min·County Highway MM
10
Continue on CTH MM
0.2 mi·25 sec·Wolfe Street
11
Turn right onto Janesville Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·Janesville Street
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 138
122 ft·10 sec·State Highway 138
13
Continue on WI 138
317 ft·5 sec·State Highway 138
14
Enter roundabout
207 ft·17 sec
15
Continue
0.3 mi·33 sec
16
Continue on US 14
8.3 mi·9 min·US 14
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 14
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 14
Exit 132A-BToward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 132AToward US 12 East, US 18 East
19
Merge onto US 12; US 18
5.8 mi·7 min·West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 267BToward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin DellsUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 39; I 90
32 mi·34 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
26
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
27
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
28
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
29
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
30
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
31
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
32
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 4 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day, allowing for maximum flexibility. Consider an early morning departure from Newark to avoid potential traffic and maximize your time in Eau Claire. You'll encounter one major interstate system for the bulk of the journey, so plan for a fuel stop if needed; the estimated fuel cost is $35. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major exit is over 76 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before needing a break. This route is all about efficient travel, so enjoy the straightforward drive.
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 112.4 miles from Newark, WI, or about 2h 17m 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 49 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 17m 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 34m
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 Newark, 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 Newark, WI
This is one driving day of about 224.8 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Newark, 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 112.4 mi from Newark, WI
· 2h 17m into the drive
The midpoint is around 112.4 miles from Newark, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top 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.
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 107.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.14 one way
$70.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.59
$77.18
premium
$4.89
$43.26
$86.52
diesel
$5.61
$49.63
$99.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.67
$8.99
EV Truck/SUV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.39
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Newark, WI
Morning
in Newark on Friday
Local time
10:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Morning
in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
10:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph2% chanceLive 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
26 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
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Newark, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 224.8 miles and takes about 4h 21m 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 112.4 miles from Newark, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.14 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 224.8 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 40.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Newark, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells and Saint Paul.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
