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Trip from Newburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 40m

Distance

227.3 mi

366 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 27m ★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Newburg, WI, WI

Newburg, WI

Tom Fisk

city in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties in Wisconsin, United States, that is the county seat of Eau Claire County

Eau Claire, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 227.3-mile journey from Newburg to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this drive. Primarily utilizing I-94 and I-90, this route offers a highway-focused experience across the Midwest. The direct nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

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

113.7 miles from Newburg, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

With 91% of this trip on highways, you'll find yourself on a predominantly fast-paced drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.1 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the core of the route is interstate, State Highway 33 offers a change of pace. This highway-focused profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with the road network designed for smooth, direct travel between Newburg and Eau Claire.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 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 0.2 miles in near WI 33 / State Highway 33.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 227.3 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 0.2 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | WI 33 / State Highway 33

At end of road, turn right onto WI 33 / State Highway 33

Navigation decision point

6
54 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 118 Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
8
145.8 mi into trip | ~3h 9m 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
5
221.9 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Take the exit toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
6
222.1 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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 Newburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.

Portage

54 mi in | ~1h 18m

Saint Paul

145.8 mi in | ~3h 9m | via I 94

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 76.1 mi 1h 21m
I 90 60.2 mi 1h 4m
State Highway 33 30.3 mi 43m
State Highway 16 22.7 mi 31m
US 151 13.4 mi 15m
East Washington Street 5.6 mi 11m
West Cook Street 3.7 mi 5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 2.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 76.1 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Newburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI.

1

Start on Salisbury Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Salisbury Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto WI 33

4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 33
3

Continue on WI 33

5.6 mi · 11 min · East Washington Street
4

Continue on WI 33; WI 144

5.1 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
5

Continue on WI 33; CTH W

1.2 mi · 1 min · Main Street
6

Continue on WI 33

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
7

Enter roundabout onto WI 33

119 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 33
8

Continue on WI 33

8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 33
9

Continue on Lake Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · Lake Street
10

Turn left onto WI 33

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Vine Street
11

Continue on WI 33

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Barstow Street
12

Continue on WI 33

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Main Street
13

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Washington Street
14

Continue on WI 33

8.0 mi · 10 min · State Highway 33
15

Continue on WI 33

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Park Avenue
16

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
17

Merge onto US 151

13 mi · 15 min · US 151
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 118 Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
19

Keep slight right at fork

238 ft · 5 sec
20

Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60

0.2 mi · 20 sec · James Street
21

Continue on WI 16

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16
22

Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16

2.7 mi · 4 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
23

Continue on US 51; WI 16

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Wisconsin Street
24

Turn left onto WI 33

3.7 mi · 5 min · West Cook Street
25

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
26

Merge onto I 90; I 94

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 90; I 94
27

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.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
29

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
30

Merge onto US 53

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 53
31

Take the exit onto US 53 Business

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
32

Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
33

Continue on Harding Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Harding Avenue
34

Continue on Washington Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Washington Street
35

Turn right onto South Farwell Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Farwell Street
36

Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

35 ft · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
37

Arrive at destination

East Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short, 4-hour and 40-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule. Given the 227.3 miles and a fuel cost of approximately $35, planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before tackling the longest stretch of 76.1 miles on I-94. Since this is a single-day trip, starting earlier in the day will give you ample time to arrive in Eau Claire without feeling rushed.

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 113.7 miles from Newburg, WI, or about 2h 35m 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 50 miles or 1h 14m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 113.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 53m

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 Newburg, 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 Newburg, WI

This is one driving day of about 227.3 miles and 4h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Newburg, 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 113.7 mi from Newburg, WI · 2h 35m into the drive

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

114 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.

Popular next leg

Lake Wisconsin, WI to Eau Claire, WI

160.7 mi · 3h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Waupun, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mauston, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.7 miles from Newburg, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.54 one way

$71.07 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.02 $78.03
premium $4.89 $43.74 $87.48
diesel $5.61 $50.18 $100.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.2 0 $23.87 $10.91
Efficient EV 56.8 0 $19.89 $9.09
EV Truck/SUV 90.9 1 $31.82 $14.55

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Newburg, WI

Late night in Newburg on Saturday

Local time

4:06 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eau Claire, WI

Late night in Eau Claire on Saturday

Local time

4:06 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

2 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

4h 40m 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 Newburg, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 227.3 miles and takes about 4h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, I 90, State Highway 33. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 113.7 miles from Newburg, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.54 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 16 significant decision points across 227.3 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (WI 33 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Newburg, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Saint Paul.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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