Origin
Wausaukee, WI
Late night in Wausaukee on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wausaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
230.6 mi
371 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wausaukee, WI
Tom Fisk
Eau Claire, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 230.6 miles across the heart of Wisconsin, this drive connects Wausaukee to Eau Claire in approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. You can easily complete this journey in a single day, making it an efficient way to traverse the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it remains a budget-friendly option for your regional travels. While the route requires only one recommended stop, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means you should stay alert behind the wheel. Use this trip as a straightforward connection between these two Wisconsin communities, keeping in mind that the pace is dictated by local infrastructure rather than high-speed interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
115.3 miles from Wausaukee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate away from the typical interstate grind. Since this route features zero percent highway share, you will be traveling exclusively on local roads that provide a more intimate look at the Wisconsin landscape. The journey lacks long, monotonous stretches, instead offering a series of turns that require active steering and consistent engagement. Because the profile is technical rather than fast, you should anticipate a slower, more deliberate travel pace. Prepare yourself for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over the convenience of a major highway system.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wausaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 22 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hwy 22 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Highland Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North McKenzie Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North McKenzie Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wausaukee, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on the route
20 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
30 ft
·
4 sec
3
Turn right onto Main Street
35 mi
·
45 min
·
Main Street
4
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
5
Turn right onto State Highway 22
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
State Highway 22
6
Continue on State Hwy 22
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
State Hwy 22
7
Turn right onto East Highland Drive
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highland Drive
8
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Main Street
9
Continue on State Highway 22
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 22
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 22
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 22
11
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 22
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 22
12
Continue on State Highway 22
259 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Highway 22
13
Continue on North McKenzie Avenue
492 ft
·
8 sec
·
North McKenzie Avenue
14
Continue on North McKenzie Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North McKenzie Street
15
Continue on West Main Street
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Main Street
16
Continue on State Highway 22
16 mi
·
26 min
·
State Highway 22
17
Continue on East Green Bay Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Green Bay Street
18
Turn right onto North Ellis Street
322 ft
·
20 sec
·
North Ellis Street
19
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
East 5th Street
20
Turn left onto North Union Street
328 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Union Street
21
Turn right onto East Green Bay Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Green Bay Street
22
Continue on County Road MMM
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road MMM
23
Turn right onto State Highway 29
37 mi
·
42 min
·
State Highway 29
24
Continue on Ringle Avenue
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Ringle Avenue
25
Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
90 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
26
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 53 South: Eau Claire
27
Merge slight left
5.9 mi
·
6 min
28
Take the exit slight right toward River Prairie Drive
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
River Prairie Drive
29
Keep slight right
207 ft
·
7 sec
30
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
31
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
32
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Germania Street
33
Continue on East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Madison Street
34
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Farwell Street
35
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
36
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to depart early in the day to handle the turn-heavy local sections during daylight hours. Since the trip takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, a single planned stop is sufficient to keep you refreshed and focused on the winding roads. Keep your $35 fuel budget in mind, but consider topping off your tank before you leave Wausaukee to avoid searching for stations on unfamiliar local roads. Given the lack of highway miles, flexibility is your greatest advantage; don't rush the turns, as the road conditions will likely require a moderate speed. Prioritizing consistent pacing over speed will make this 230.6-mile trek significantly more comfortable.
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 115.3 miles from Wausaukee, WI, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 4m
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 Wausaukee, 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 Wausaukee, WI
This is one driving day of about 230.6 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wausaukee, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.3 mi from Wausaukee, WI · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.3 miles from Wausaukee, 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.
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
$36.05 one way
$72.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.58 | $79.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.38 | $88.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.91 | $101.83 |
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: 80.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.21 | $11.07 |
| Efficient EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.18 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.28 | $14.76 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Late night in Eau Claire on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 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
3h 45m 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 Wausaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 230.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Highway 22, Hwy 22. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.3 miles from Wausaukee, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.05 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wausaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wausaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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