How far is Eau Claire, WI from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Chicago, IL is about 319.7 miles (514.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 281.5 miles (453 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 06h 00m.
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 Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Chicago.
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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
167.8 mi · 3 hr
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 39, I 90: Chicago
67.1 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.3 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
40.6 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
1772 ft · 22 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
526 ft · 30 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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19
Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
123 m · 5 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South
1 mi · 2 min · Cumberland flyover
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21
Keep slight left to continue on IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue
75 m · 8 sec
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22
Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue
874 ft · 28 sec · North Cumberland Avenue
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23
Continue on North Cumberland Avenue
2310 ft · 1 min · North Cumberland Avenue
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24
Turn right onto West Higgins Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road
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25
Turn right onto North Oriole Avenue
99 m · 14 sec · North Oriole Avenue
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26
Turn left onto West Higgins Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Higgins Avenue
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27
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
929 ft · 26 sec · North Central Avenue
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28
Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue
1858 ft · 43 sec · West Lawrence Avenue
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29
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
3138 ft · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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30
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
2904 ft · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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31
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1721 ft · 42 sec
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32
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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33
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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34
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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35
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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36
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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37
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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38
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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39
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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40
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Chicago.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 53 South
Merge slight left
168 mi · 03h 00m
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 Sunny leaving Eau Claire and Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Chicago?
The road trip is about 319.7 miles (514.5 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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?
Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.7 miles from Eau Claire and 160 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 281.5 miles (453 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:00 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.60 one way or $89.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Eau Claire and Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington
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 Arlington.
Portage
Madison, Wisconsin
Columbus
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 281.49 mi (453.02 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 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $44.60 | $89.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.61 | $52.01 | $104.02 |
| Premium | $5.15 | $58.06 | $116.12 |
| Diesel | $6.16 | $69.44 | $138.88 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026