The drive from Union Grove, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 264.1 miles and takes about 5h 2m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, East-West Freeway, I 90 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.2 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.29 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
132 miles from Union Grove, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 2m highway drive covering 264.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and East-West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.2 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 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 105.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21 miles in near US 45.
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 24 significant decision points across 264.1 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 21 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21 mi into trip|~34m in|US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fon...
8
25.3 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
25.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
90 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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...
8
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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 Union Grove, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee and Saint Paul.
Madison
21 mi in|~34m|via US 45
Milwaukee
25.3 mi in|~40m
Saint Paul
182.5 mi in|~3h 30m|via I 94
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
105.2 mi
1h 52m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
North Raynor Avenue
7 mi
10m
South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
8m
Zoo Freeway
3.7 mi
5m
South Colony Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Loomis Road
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Grove, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on North 10th Avenue
114 ft·8 sec·North 10th Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 45
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·1 min·South Colony Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto US 45
147 ft·8 sec·South Colony Avenue
5
Continue on US 45
2.6 mi·3 min·South Colony Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto US 45; WI 20
187 ft·10 sec·Washington Avenue
7
Continue on US 45; WI 20
1.0 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto US 45
16 ft·0 sec·North Raynor Avenue
9
Continue on US 45
7.0 mi·10 min·North Raynor Avenue
10
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·2 min·South 124th Street
11
Continue on US 45
0.4 mi·46 sec·South North Cape Road
12
Turn right onto US 45; WI 36
2.2 mi·3 min·Loomis Road
13
Continue on US 45
448 ft·19 sec·US 45
14
Turn left onto US 45; WI 100
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Saint Martins Road
15
Continue on US 45; WI 100
4.4 mi·8 min·South Lovers Lane Road
16
Take the ramp onto US 45
0.4 mi·52 sec·US 45
Toward I 43 North, US 45 North
17
Merge onto I 43; US 45
0.2 mi·19 sec·Rock Freeway
18
Take the exit onto US 45
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 45
Exit 61Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
19
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.7 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
23
Merge onto I 94
10 mi·11 min·East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
27
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.
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
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 132 miles from Union Grove, WI, or about 2h 36m 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 58 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
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 Union Grove, 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 Union Grove, WI
This is one driving day of about 264.1 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Union Grove, 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 132 mi from Union Grove, WI
· 2h 36m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 145.7
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
$41.29 one way
$82.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.33
$90.67
premium
$4.89
$50.82
$101.65
diesel
$5.61
$58.31
$116.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.97
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 16, 2026
Origin
Union Grove, WI
Night
in Union Grove on Thursday
Local time
10:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eau Claire, WI
Night
in Eau Claire on Thursday
Local time
10:11 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 2m 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 Union Grove, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 264.1 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, East-West Freeway, I 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132 miles from Union Grove, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.29 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 24 significant decision points across 264.1 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 21 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Union Grove, WI and Eau Claire, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee and Saint Paul.
