How far is Eau Claire, WI from Kenosha, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Kenosha, WI is about 281.4 miles (452.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239.5 miles (385.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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 04h 17m.
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.
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Widespread Frost
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Kenosha.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Kenosha.
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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
64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1991 ft · 38 sec
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17
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1477 ft · 30 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
1177 ft · 29 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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20
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
23.3 mi · 26 min · North-South Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
1246 ft · 30 sec
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
61 m · 7 sec
-
25
Turn left onto Burlington Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Burlington Road
-
26
Continue on Washington Road
3.3 mi · 7 min · Washington Road
-
27
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Road
-
28
Turn left onto 54th Street
93 m · 14 sec · 54th Street
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29
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
669 ft · 31 sec · 8th Avenue
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30
Turn right onto 56th Street
13 m · 1 sec · 56th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 56th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Kenosha.
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.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Eau Claire and Widespread Frost near Kenosha.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Kenosha?
The road trip is about 281.4 miles (452.9 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.1 miles from Eau Claire and 141.3 miles from Kenosha.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239.5 miles (385.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.9 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 8:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.45 one way or $74.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Eau Claire and Widespread Frost near Kenosha.
Stop Ideas Near Portage
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 Portage.
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Kenosha. Straight-line distance: 239.56 mi (385.54 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 Kenosha
The second most populous city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 99,570 |
| Coordinates | 42.5847400, -87.8211900 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: 56th Street (-87.821195, 42.584763)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.45 | $74.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.23 | $84.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.21 | $92.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.67 | $105.34 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.