How far is Buena Vista, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Buena Vista, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 174.3 miles (280.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.5 miles (242.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Monroe County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
Slight Chance T-storms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Eau Claire.
-
1
Start on the route
7 mi · 10 min
-
2
Turn slight right
623 ft · 10 sec
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
50 m · 3 sec
-
4
Exit the roundabout
148 m · 8 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto US Highway 61
1.2 km · 1 min · US Highway 61
-
6
Turn right onto State Highway 129
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 129
-
7
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
9.7 mi · 15 min · Lincoln Avenue
-
8
Continue on Elm Street
12.2 mi · 18 min · Elm Street
-
9
Turn right onto US Highway 61
21.4 mi · 30 min · US Highway 61
-
10
Continue on Soldiers Grove Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Soldiers Grove Road
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Kickapoo Street
1683 ft · 36 sec · West Kickapoo Street
-
12
Continue on US Highway 14
7.3 mi · 10 min · US Highway 14
-
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Main Street
29 m · 2 sec · South Main Street
-
14
Exit the roundabout onto South Main Street
10.2 mi · 18 min · South Main Street
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street
3209 ft · 50 sec · Main Street
-
16
Continue on State Highway 27
6.3 mi · 9 min · State Highway 27
-
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 27
40 m · 8 sec · State Highway 27
-
18
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 27
14.6 mi · 20 min · State Highway 27
-
19
Continue on South Black River Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Black River Street
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Black River Street
27 m · 2 sec · South Black River Street
-
21
Exit the roundabout onto South Black River Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Black River Street
-
22
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 27
-
23
Continue on Gebhardt Road
1811 ft · 51 sec · Gebhardt Road
-
24
Continue on South Roosevelt Road
896 ft · 28 sec · South Roosevelt Road
-
25
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
-
26
Turn sharp left
1080 ft · 28 sec
-
27
Merge slight left
45.2 mi · 48 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
-
29
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
-
30
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
-
32
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
-
33
Continue on Harding Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue
-
34
Continue on Washington Street
721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street
-
35
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street
-
36
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
-
37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Eau Claire.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East Main Street
Merge slight left
45.2 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost leaving Buena Vista and Slight Chance T-storms near Eau Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 174.3 miles (280.5 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Melvina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.3 miles from Buena Vista and 86.9 miles from Eau Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.5 miles (242.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.19 one way or $46.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost around Buena Vista and Slight Chance T-storms near Eau Claire.
Stop Ideas Near Melvina
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 Melvina.
Tomah
La Crosse
Winona station
Wisconsin Dells
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 150.5 mi (242.2 km).
#1 Buena Vista
Unincorporated community in the Town of Delafield, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,820 |
| Coordinates | 42.7133300, -90.6879000 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.19 | $46.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.16 | $52.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.62 | $57.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.62 | $65.24 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.