How far is Eau Claire, WI from Lake Mills, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Lake Mills, WI is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.6 miles (282.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 06m 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 33m.
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.
City in Juneau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Lake Mills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Lake Mills.
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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
19.5 mi · 21 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward WI 89: Lake Mills, Waterloo
1198 ft · 29 sec
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16
Keep slight right
36 m · 3 sec
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17
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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18
Turn sharp right onto West Madison Street
10 m · 1 sec · West Madison Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Lake Mills.
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 Mostly Sunny near Lake Mills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Lake Mills?
The road trip is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
New Lisbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.1 miles from Eau Claire and 97.2 miles from Lake Mills.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.6 miles (282.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 9:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.87 one way or $51.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Eau Claire and Mostly Sunny near Lake Mills.
Stop Ideas Near New Lisbon
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 New Lisbon.
Tomah
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Lake Mills. Straight-line distance: 175.61 mi (282.62 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 Lake Mills
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 2,135 |
| Coordinates | 43.0813900, -88.9117700 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Mills (-88.91177, 43.08139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.87 | $51.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.18 | $58.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.93 | $63.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.39 | $72.77 |
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.