How far is Madison, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Eau Claire.
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1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
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3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
2.8 mi · 9 min · West Johnson Street
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4
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
2791 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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5
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Packers Avenue
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Packers Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Packers Avenue
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7
Continue on County Highway CV
2.4 mi · 4 min · County Highway CV
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8
Turn slight left
152 m · 27 sec
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9
Turn left onto US Highway 51
2827 ft · 54 sec · US Highway 51
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
2084 ft · 51 sec
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11
Merge slight left
23.3 mi · 25 min
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12
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
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16
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 1 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
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18
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
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19
Continue on Harding Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue
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20
Continue on Washington Street
721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street
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21
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street
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22
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Eau Claire.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Madison and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Camp Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.1 miles from Madison and 89.8 miles from Eau Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madison and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.
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 Madison and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 159.08 mi (256.02 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Eau Claire
The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 67,065 |
| Coordinates | 44.8113500, -91.4984900 |
| Altitude | 240 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Grand Avenue (-91.49848, 44.811339)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.80 | $47.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.84 | $53.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.37 | $58.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.47 | $66.94 |
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.