The drive from Richfield, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 228.1 miles and takes about 4h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, I 90, State Highway 16 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.1 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
114.1 miles from Richfield, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 228.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 34m highway drive covering 228.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.1 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 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 2.2 miles in near I 41; US 41.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 228.1 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 2.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
8
15.2 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend
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 72
Toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend
6
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
146.5 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
222.8 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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 Richfield, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Cth W: Allenton, Bend, Portage and Saint Paul.
Cth W: Allenton
15.2 mi in|~17m
Bend
15.2 mi in|~17m
Portage
54.7 mi in|~1h 12m
Saint Paul
146.5 mi in|~3h 2m|via I 94
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
76.1 mi
1h 21m
I 90
60.2 mi
1h 4m
State Highway 16
22.7 mi
31m
State Highway 33
21.2 mi
30m
I 41
14 mi
14m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
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 Richfield, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on Depot Street
71 ft·6 sec·Depot Street
2
Turn left onto WI 175
0.4 mi·59 sec·State Highway 175
3
Enter roundabout onto WI 167
173 ft·10 sec·Holy Hill Road
4
Continue on WI 167
0.5 mi·1 min·Holy Hill Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Appleton
6
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
1.0 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41; US 45
Toward Appleton
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
13 mi·13 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 72Toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West BendUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
10
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
12
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
13
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Street
14
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi·13 sec·Vine Street
15
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·28 sec·Barstow Street
16
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
17
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi·57 sec·Washington Street
18
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
19
Continue on WI 33
0.5 mi·55 sec·Park Avenue
20
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
21
Merge onto US 151
13 mi·15 min·US 151
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 118Toward WI 16, WI 60: Columbus, Portage
23
Keep slight right at fork
238 ft·5 sec
24
Turn straight onto WI 16; WI 60
0.2 mi·20 sec·James Street
25
Continue on WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
26
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
27
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·East Wisconsin Street
28
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi·5 min·West Cook Street
29
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
30
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 90; I 94
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
34
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi·1 min·US 53
35
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
36
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi·59 sec·Brackett Avenue
37
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Harding Avenue
38
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Washington Street
39
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Farwell Street
40
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft·1 sec·East Grand Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
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 114.1 miles from Richfield, WI, or about 2h 28m 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 46m
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 Richfield, 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 Richfield, WI
This is one driving day of about 228.1 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Richfield, 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 114.1 mi from Richfield, WI
· 2h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 114.1 miles from Richfield, 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 110.1
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.66 one way
$71.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.15
$78.31
premium
$4.89
$43.90
$87.79
diesel
$5.61
$50.36
$100.72
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: 79.8 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
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.96
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.93
$14.60
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
Richfield, WI
Afternoon
in Richfield on Friday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon
in Eau Claire on Friday
Local time
2:02 PM
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 34m 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 Richfield, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 228.1 miles and takes about 4h 34m 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 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.1 miles from Richfield, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.66 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 21 significant decision points across 228.1 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 2.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richfield, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Cth W: Allenton, Bend, Portage 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.
