Origin
Star Prairie, WI
Late night in Star Prairie on Saturday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Star Prairie, 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
1h 33m
Distance
72.8 mi
117 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Star Prairie, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Star Prairie to Eau Claire is 72.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 33 minutes via I 94 and County Highway T, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, a familiar Midwest journey. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a quick relocation or a single-day excursion. Expect a largely efficient transit between these two points, with minimal detours needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Star Prairie, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 72.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 71% of the journey on faster roads like I 94. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 42.1 miles on I 94, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While the bulk is highway, there are segments on County Highway T and State Highway 64, which might offer a slight change of scenery or pace. Overall, anticipate a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 42.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,195 ft
789 ft
Total Climb
312 ft
Total Descent
461 ft
Highest Point
1,195 ft
~36.4 mi in
Elevation Range
406 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Highway T. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CTH C; CTH H / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 22.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
|
Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH C; CTH H / State Highway 65
At end of road, turn left onto CTH C; CTH H / State Highway 65
Navigation decision point
7
22.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Enter roundabout toward I-94 Eastbound: Menomonie, Eau Claire
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-94 Eastbound: Menomonie, Eau Claire
6
65 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 312, CTH EE: Eau Claire, Chippawa Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59
Toward US 12, WI 312, CTH EE: Eau Claire, Chipp...
5
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Bellinger Street
Turn right onto Bellinger Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Star Prairie, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Wis 64 East, Cth Ee: Eau Claire and Chippawa Falls.
Wis 64 East
4.3 mi in
|
~6m
Cth Ee: Eau Claire
65 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Chippawa Falls
65 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 42.1 mi | 45m |
| County Highway T | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 64 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| North Crossing | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 65 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Davis Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 3rd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Jeffers Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 42.1 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Star Prairie, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on CTH M
79 ft
·
7 sec
·
Bridge Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto CTH C; CTH H
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 65
4
Turn slight left
478 ft
·
22 sec
Toward WIS 64 EAST
5
Turn left onto WI 64
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 64
6
Turn right onto CTH T
10 mi
·
13 min
·
County Highway T
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; CTH T
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
US-12
8
Continue on US 12; CTH T
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Davis Street
9
Enter roundabout onto CTH T
133 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Highway T
10
Continue on CTH T
486 ft
·
27 sec
·
County Highway T
11
Enter roundabout
254 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I-94 Eastbound: Menomonie, Eau Claire
12
Continue
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I-94 Eastbound: Menomonie, Eau Claire
13
Merge onto I 94
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 59
Toward US 12, WI 312, CTH EE: Eau Claire, Chippawa Falls
15
Keep slight right at fork
482 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn straight onto WI 312; CTH EE
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Crossing
17
Turn right onto CTH F
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jeffers Road
18
Turn left onto Truax Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truax Boulevard
19
Continue on 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street
20
Continue on Platt Street
506 ft
·
12 sec
·
Platt Street
21
Turn right onto Bellinger Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bellinger Street
22
Turn left onto West Madison Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Madison Street
23
Turn slight right
303 ft
·
8 sec
24
Turn slight left onto North Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Farwell Street
25
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1.5 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart. You can leave anytime in the morning or afternoon and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With only 72.8 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $11, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fuel stops. However, it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Star Prairie to ensure a seamless drive directly to Eau Claire.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.4 miles from Star Prairie, WI, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.1 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
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 Star Prairie, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Star Prairie, WI
This is one driving day of about 72.8 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Star Prairie, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 42.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from Star Prairie, WI · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from Star Prairie, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.89 one way
$19.78 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $11.03 | $22.07 |
| premium | $4.15 | $11.89 | $23.79 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $10.75 | $21.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.64 | $3.49 |
| Efficient EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.37 | $2.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (64% 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 Saturday
Local time
5:21 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Star Prairie, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 72.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, County Highway T, State Highway 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from Star Prairie, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CTH C; CTH H / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 22.6 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Star Prairie, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Wis 64 East, Cth Ee: Eau Claire and Chippawa Falls.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 789 ft to 1,195 ft elevation with about 312 ft of total climbing.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Eau Claire, WI
More from Star Prairie, WI
More trips to Eau Claire, WI
Explore more options from Star Prairie, WI or browse trips ending in Eau Claire, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.