How far is Eau Claire, WI from Cottage Grove, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Cottage Grove, WI is about 180.8 miles (291 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m 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 19m.
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 Juneau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Cottage Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Cottage Grove.
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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 left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
4.3 mi · 5 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
1821 ft · 44 sec
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16
Keep slight right
76 m · 6 sec
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17
Turn straight onto County Highway N
1.2 km · 1 min · County Highway N
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18
Continue on North Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Cottage Grove.
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
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 Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Cottage Grove?
The road trip is about 180.8 miles (291 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Camp Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Eau Claire and 90.5 miles from Cottage Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.7 miles (266.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Eau Claire and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Camp Douglas
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 Camp Douglas.
Tomah
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Westfield, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Cottage Grove. Straight-line distance: 165.68 mi (266.64 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 Cottage Grove
Civil town in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 3,989 |
| Coordinates | 43.0761100, -89.1995600 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottage Grove (-89.19956, 43.07611)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.69 | $59.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.84 | $67.68 |
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.