How far is Eau Claire, WI from Rhinelander, WI?
The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Rhinelander, WI is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.4 miles (187.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Civil town in Marathon County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Rhinelander.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Rhinelander.
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1
Start on East Grand Avenue
11 m · 8 sec · East Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Farwell Street
2012 ft · 49 sec · South Farwell Street
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3
Turn right onto East Madison Street
1102 ft · 31 sec · East Madison Street
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4
Continue on Germania Street
884 ft · 23 sec · Germania Street
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5
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Birch Street
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6
Continue on River Prairie Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · River Prairie Drive
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7
Turn left
1444 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 East: Green Bay
3008 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
87.7 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 51 North, US 52 North: Wausau, Merill
1750 ft · 43 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on WI 51 North: Merrill
1 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
42.1 mi · 49 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
1980 ft · 48 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 8: Rhinelander
85 m · 10 sec
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16
Turn right
14.3 mi · 20 min
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Kemp Street
42 m · 8 sec · West Kemp Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto West Kemp Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Kemp Street
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19
Turn left onto Arbutus Street
145 m · 13 sec · Arbutus Street
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20
Continue on South Petham Street
1319 ft · 41 sec · South Petham Street
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21
Turn slight left onto South Stevens Street
109 m · 11 sec · South Stevens Street
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22
Turn left onto West King Street
61 m · 9 sec · West King Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Rhinelander.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
WI 29 East
Merge slight left
87.7 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Eau Claire and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rhinelander.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Rhinelander?
The road trip is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Wien is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from Eau Claire and 78.4 miles from Rhinelander.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.4 miles (187.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Eau Claire and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rhinelander.
Stop Ideas Near Wien
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 Wien.
Abbotsford-Colby, WI
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, WI
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Rhinelander. Straight-line distance: 116.44 mi (187.4 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 Rhinelander
City in and county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin
| Population | 7,637 |
| Coordinates | 45.6366200, -89.4120800 |
| Altitude | 472 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rhinelander (-89.41208, 45.63662)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.