How far is Eau Claire, WI from Buena Vista, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Buena Vista, WI is about 174.9 miles (281.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.5 miles (242.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m 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 57m.
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.
Slight Chance T-storms
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Buena Vista.
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1
Start on East Grand Avenue
11 m · 5 sec · East Grand Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street
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3
Turn left onto Washington Street
721 ft · 14 sec · Washington Street
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4
Continue on Harding Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue
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5
Continue on Brackett Avenue
1818 ft · 38 sec · Brackett Avenue
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6
Turn slight right
157 m · 19 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Hastings Way
1.5 km · 2 min · Hastings Way
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8
Take the ramp straight toward South Hastings Way
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
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9
Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett
1257 ft · 21 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
115 m · 6 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
135 m · 9 sec
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12
Take the ramp right
2643 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
44.9 mi · 48 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
947 ft · 23 sec
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15
Keep slight right
64 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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17
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Road
1048 ft · 36 sec · South Roosevelt Road
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18
Continue on Gebhardt Road
1806 ft · 51 sec · Gebhardt Road
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19
Continue on State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 27
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20
Continue on Black River Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Black River Street
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Black River Street
26 m · 1 sec · South Black River Street
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22
Exit the roundabout onto South Black River Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Black River Street
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23
Continue on State Highway 27
14.6 mi · 20 min · State Highway 27
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 27
39 m · 8 sec · State Highway 27
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25
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 27
6.3 mi · 9 min · State Highway 27
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26
Continue on Main Street
3217 ft · 58 sec · Main Street
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27
Keep slight left
122 m · 15 sec
-
28
Turn straight onto North Main Street
10.2 mi · 18 min · North Main Street
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 14
32 m · 2 sec · US Highway 14
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30
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14
7.3 mi · 10 min · US Highway 14
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31
Continue on West Kickapoo Street
1484 ft · 32 sec · West Kickapoo Street
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32
Turn right onto Soldiers Grove Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Soldiers Grove Road
-
33
Continue on US Highway 61
21.4 mi · 30 min · US Highway 61
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34
Turn left
22 mi · 33 min
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35
Turn left onto State Highway 129
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 129
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36
At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 61
1.3 km · 1 min · US Highway 61
-
37
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US Highway 61
23 m · 1 sec · US Highway 61
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38
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 61
7.1 mi · 10 min · US Highway 61
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 53 South
Merge slight left
44.9 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Slight Chance T-storms leaving Eau Claire and Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 174.9 miles (281.5 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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 87.4 miles from Eau Claire and 87.5 miles from Buena Vista.
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 24.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.27 one way or $46.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance T-storms around Eau Claire and Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost near Buena Vista.
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 Eau Claire and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 150.5 mi (242.2 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 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 |
End: Buena Vista (-90.6879, 42.71333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 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 | $23.27 | $46.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.24 | $52.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.72 | $57.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.73 | $65.45 |
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.