How far is Eau Claire, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.3 miles (103.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 53m 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 56m.
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
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Balsam Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Balsam Lake.
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1
Start on East Grand Avenue
11 m · 8 sec · East Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
2012 ft · 49 sec · South Farwell Street
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3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
1102 ft · 31 sec · East Madison Street
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4
Continue on Germania Street
884 ft · 23 sec · Germania Street
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5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Birch Street
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6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · River Prairie Drive
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7
Turn left
1444 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left
45.9 mi · 50 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Barron, Cameron
1931 ft · 47 sec
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10
Keep slight left
79 m · 14 sec
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11
Turn left
3.7 mi · 5 min
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12
Continue on East Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · East Division 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 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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15
Continue on 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
40 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue
2825 ft · 1 min · 14th Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 6 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
10 mi · 14 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
38 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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21
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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23
Continue on West Main Street
2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street
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24
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Balsam Lake.
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.
River Prairie Drive
Merge slight left
45.9 mi · 00h 50m
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 leaving Eau Claire and Rain Showers Likely near Balsam Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Balsam Lake?
The road trip is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km) and usually takes 01h 56m 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 43.8 miles from Eau Claire and 43.9 miles from Balsam Lake.
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 23.4 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 2:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.69 one way or $23.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Eau Claire and Rain Showers Likely near Balsam Lake.
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 Eau Claire and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 64.29 mi (103.46 km).
#1 Eau Claire
The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 67,065 |
| Coordinates | 44.8113500, -91.4984900 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 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 | $11.69 | $23.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.18 | $26.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.43 | $28.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.44 | $32.88 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.