Origin
Sussex, WI
Afternoon in Sussex on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sussex, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
235.7 mi
379 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sussex, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 235.7-mile drive from Sussex, Wisconsin, to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a straightforward journey through the Midwest, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to be on the road for about 4 hours and 21 minutes, with the majority of your travel on major highways like I-94 and I-90. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, this route offers an efficient way to get from one part of the state to another. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a practical option for those looking to reach their destination without significant detours. You'll find this route to be a good choice for a quick getaway or an essential leg of a larger Wisconsin adventure.
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
117.8 miles from Sussex, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the 235.7 miles spent on interstates and major freeways, including I-94 and the East-West Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 105.2 miles on I-94, which means consistent speed and minimal traffic lights. The character of the road remains largely consistent throughout the 4-hour journey, offering a predictable driving experience. While not known for winding country roads, this route prioritizes efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly and smoothly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 105.2 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 8 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 235.7 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 8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.6 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
90.7 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
154.1 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
6
230.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m 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.
On the drive from Sussex, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
154.1 mi in
|
~2h 50m
|
via I 94
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 105.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| East-West Freeway | 54.8 mi | 58m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| South Hastings Way | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 53 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Harding Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sussex, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on this road
199 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue
171 ft
·
12 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto CTH VV
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
County Highway VV
4
Continue on CTH VV
368 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto CTH VV
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Spring Drive
6
Turn right onto CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
7
Continue on CTH F
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Redford Boulevard
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
9
Merge onto I 94; WI 164
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
16
Merge onto US 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 53
17
Take the exit onto US 53 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Hastings Way
Toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
18
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Brackett Avenue
19
Continue on Harding Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harding Avenue
20
Continue on Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Washington Street
21
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farwell Street
22
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 21-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time upon arrival in Eau Claire, and keep the estimated fuel cost of $37 in mind. You'll encounter one recommended stop, but with the longest stretch being over 100 miles, plan your breaks accordingly. A good tip is to fill up your tank before leaving Sussex, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed interstates where service areas can be spaced out. The flexibility of a single-day drive allows you to adjust your schedule as needed.
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 117.8 miles from Sussex, WI, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 32m
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 Sussex, 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 Sussex, WI
This is one driving day of about 235.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Sussex, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.8 mi from Sussex, WI · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.8 miles from Sussex, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 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
$36.85 one way
$73.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.46 | $80.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.36 | $90.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.04 | $104.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.75 | $11.31 |
| Efficient EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.00 | $15.08 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 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
18 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 Sussex, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 235.7 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, East-West Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.8 miles from Sussex, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.85 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 15 significant decision points across 235.7 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 8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.6 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.7 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sussex, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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