Origin
Whitefish Bay, WI
Afternoon in Whitefish Bay on Monday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Whitefish Bay, WI to Eau Claire, WI
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
249.3 mi
401 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
25 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whitefish Bay, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Eau Claire, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Whitefish Bay, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 249.3 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on WI 29, State Highway 57, US 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 134.1 miles on WI 29. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.85 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
124.7 miles from Whitefish Bay, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 1m highway drive covering 249.3 miles, with most of the trip on WI 29 and State Highway 57. The longest continuous stretch is about 134.1 miles on WI 29.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WI 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 29 and State Highway 57. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 249.3 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 56.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
56.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 41 South: Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 192 B
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
6
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward WI 29, WI 32 North: Wausau
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 168B-C
Toward WI 29, WI 32 North: Wausau
7
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 29 West, WI 32 North: Wausau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 168B
Toward WI 29 West, WI 32 North: Wausau
7
149.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
WI 29
Take the exit onto WI 29 toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
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.
Toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
7
246.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Whitefish Bay, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chippewa Falls along the way.
Chippewa Falls
149.8 mi in
|
~3h 3m
|
via WI 29
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 29 | 134.1 mi | 2h 34m |
| State Highway 57 | 38.1 mi | 45m |
| US 45 | 30.4 mi | 35m |
| WI 32 | 15.7 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 42/57 | 10.8 mi | 17m |
| US 53 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| I 43 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Whitefish Bay Road | 2.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
WI 29
— 134.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitefish Bay, WI and Eau Claire, WI.
1
Start on this road
15 ft
·
1 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on Whitefish Bay Road
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Whitefish Bay Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto WI 57
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 57
4
Turn left onto WI 42; WI 57
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 42/57
5
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
6
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 42/57
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
131 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
8
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 42/57
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on WI 57
33 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 57
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 43 North: Interstate 41
11
Merge onto I 43
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 43
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 192 B
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 41; US 41
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 168B-C
Toward WI 29, WI 32 North: Wausau
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 168B
Toward WI 29 West, WI 32 North: Wausau
16
Continue on WI 32
16 mi
·
17 min
·
WI 32
17
Continue on WI 29; WI 55
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 29; WI 55
18
Continue on WI 29; WI 47; WI 55
36 mi
·
41 min
·
WI 29; WI 47; WI 55
19
Continue on US 45; WI 29
30 mi
·
35 min
·
US 45; WI 29
20
Take the exit onto WI 29
90 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
WI 29
Toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
22
Merge onto US 53
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 53
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward River Prairie Drive
24
Keep slight right at fork
207 ft
·
6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
River Prairie Drive
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Street
27
Continue on Germania Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Germania Street
28
Continue on East Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Madison Street
29
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Farwell Street
30
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Grand Avenue
31
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 124.7 miles from Whitefish Bay, WI, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.1 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 34m 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 6m
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 Whitefish Bay, 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 Whitefish Bay, WI
This is one driving day of about 249.3 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Whitefish Bay, 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 WI 29 for about 134.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.7 mi from Whitefish Bay, WI · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 124.7 miles from Whitefish Bay, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WI 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.1 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.
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
$37.85 one way
$75.70 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.73 | $83.45 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.04 | $94.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.36 | $110.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
25 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Woodman's Food Market - Tesla Supercharger
Altoona, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
AmericInn by Wyndham Sturgeon Bay - Tesla Supercharger
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Howard, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
The Hilton Garden Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Wausau, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer #298 (Howard, WI)
Howard, WI
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Target T0364 (Schofield, WI)
Schofield, WI
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Shoppes at Oakwood - Tesla Supercharger
Eau Claire, WI
Tesla
6 DCFC
Dorsch Ford
Green Bay, WI
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Tesla: 5
FORD_CHARGE: 5
EV Connect: 4
Electrify America: 3
Blink Network: 2
ZEFNET: 2
ChargePoint Network: 2
SYNERGEV: 1
KWIK_CHARGE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.18 | $11.97 |
| Efficient EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.81 | $9.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.7 | 1 | $34.90 | $15.96 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Afternoon in Eau Claire on Monday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°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
1 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
5h 1m 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 Whitefish Bay, WI to Eau Claire, WI covers 249.3 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WI 29, State Highway 57, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.7 miles from Whitefish Bay, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.87 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 18 significant decision points across 249.3 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 56.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Whitefish Bay, WI to Eau Claire, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chippewa Falls along the way.
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