How far is Balsam Lake, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Barron County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and Eau Claire.
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1
Start on Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
39 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · East 130th Avenue
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7
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 12 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
41 m · 8 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
2780 ft · 1 min
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
37 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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11
Exit the rotary onto 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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12
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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13
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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14
Continue on West Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · West Division Avenue
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15
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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16
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right
45.8 mi · 51 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward River Prairie Drive
1265 ft · 31 sec
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19
Keep slight right
63 m · 7 sec
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20
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
3015 ft · 1 min · River Prairie Drive
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21
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Birch Street
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22
Continue on Germania Street
893 ft · 24 sec · Germania Street
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23
Continue on East Madison Street
1086 ft · 37 sec · East Madison Street
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24
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
2012 ft · 50 sec · North Farwell Street
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25
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake and Eau Claire.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
13 1/2 Avenue
Merge slight right
45.8 mi · 00h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Balsam Lake and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balsam Lake to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km) and usually takes 01h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chetek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.6 miles from Balsam Lake and 43.7 miles from Eau Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.61 one way or $23.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Balsam Lake and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.
Stop Ideas Near Chetek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chetek.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 64.29 mi (103.46 km).
#1 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Eau Claire
The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 67,065 |
| Coordinates | 44.8113500, -91.4984900 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Grand Avenue (-91.49848, 44.811339)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.61 | $23.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.10 | $26.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.33 | $28.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.34 | $32.67 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.