How far is Eau Claire, WI from Sparta, WI?

The driving distance from Eau Claire, WI to Sparta, WI is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.5 mi
01h 38m
Flight
68.82 mi
110.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eau Claire.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
68.82 mi
Kilometers
110.76 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.5 mi
Kilometers
126.33 km
Drive Time
01h 38m

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 01h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sparta
Thu, Apr 23, 2:30 AM CDT
Return by in Eau Claire
Thu, Apr 23, 4:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eau Claire
2026-04-23T00:51
Arrive Sparta
Thu, Apr 23, 2:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eau Claire
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Hixton
WI

Village in Jackson County, Wisconsin

From Eau Claire
39.2 mi
00h 49m
To Sparta
39.3 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Eau Claire and Sparta.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eau Claire and Sparta.

  1. 1

    Start on East Grand Avenue

    11 m · 5 sec · East Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Farwell Street

    2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Washington Street

    721 ft · 14 sec · Washington Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Harding Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Brackett Avenue

    1818 ft · 38 sec · Brackett Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    157 m · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto Hastings Way

    1.5 km · 2 min · Hastings Way

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward South Hastings Way

    2.3 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett

    1257 ft · 21 sec

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route

    115 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    135 m · 9 sec

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right

    2643 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    44.9 mi · 48 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls

    947 ft · 23 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    64 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto East Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Roosevelt Road

    1048 ft · 36 sec · South Roosevelt Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Gebhardt Road

    1806 ft · 51 sec · Gebhardt Road

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 27

    24.6 mi · 34 min · State Highway 27

  20. 20

    Continue on Black River Street

    1581 ft · 34 sec · Black River Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Montgomery Street

    2633 ft · 57 sec · West Montgomery Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Water Street

    1973 ft · 35 sec · North Water Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    118 m · 15 sec · West Main Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Court Street

    7 m · 6 sec · North Court Street

  25. 25

    Turn left

    43 m · 10 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eau Claire and Sparta.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 53 South
45.8 mi · 58%
State Highway 27
24.6 mi · 31%
South Hastings Way
2.33 mi · 3%
Hastings Way
0.94 mi · 1%
East Main Street
0.92 mi · 1%
Harding Avenue
0.73 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 53 South

Merge slight left

44.9 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.7 mi
68.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hixton
00h 49m from Eau Claire
Leave By
3:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Eau Claire and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sparta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Eau Claire to Sparta?

The road trip is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km) and usually takes 01h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hixton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.2 miles from Eau Claire and 39.3 miles from Sparta.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.45 one way or $20.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Eau Claire and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sparta.

Stop Ideas Near Hixton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hixton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hixton.

RAIL

Tomah

60 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

60 mi away
642 University Drive
RAIL

Winona station

63 mi away
65 East Mark Street
BUS

Stanley, WI

63 mi away
604 South Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eau Claire and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 68.82 mi (110.76 km).

Eau Claire

#1 Eau Claire

The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

Population67,065
Coordinates44.8113500, -91.4984900
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Sparta

#2 Sparta

City in and county seat of Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,290
Coordinates43.9441300, -90.8129100
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Start: Eau Claire (-91.49849, 44.81135)
End: Sparta (-90.81291, 43.94413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 126 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.77 gal
10.49 L · about $10.45
Round trip
$20.89
5.54 gal · 20.98 L
Estimated CO2
24.6 kg one way
Round trip: 49.2 kg / 108 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.45 $20.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.78 $23.56
Premium $4.65 $12.89 $25.78
Diesel $5.30 $14.69 $29.38

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

There is no time difference between Eau Claire and Sparta. The current time is 00:51:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.