How far is Rhinelander, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Rhinelander, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.4 miles (187.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m 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 32m.
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.
Civil town in Marathon County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rhinelander and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhinelander and Eau Claire.
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1
Start on West King Street
61 m · 11 sec · West King Street
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2
Turn right onto South Stevens Street
109 m · 10 sec · South Stevens Street
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3
Continue on South Petham Street
1319 ft · 40 sec · South Petham Street
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4
Continue on Arbutus Street
145 m · 17 sec · Arbutus Street
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5
Turn right onto West Kemp Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Kemp Street
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 8
41 m · 8 sec · US Highway 8
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7
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 8
2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 8
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8
Continue on US 8
11.6 mi · 16 min · US 8
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9
Turn left
2168 ft · 53 sec
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10
Merge slight left
41.9 mi · 48 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Continue straight
89.2 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
2138 ft · 46 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward River Prairie Drive
1265 ft · 31 sec
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16
Keep slight right
63 m · 7 sec
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17
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
3015 ft · 1 min · River Prairie Drive
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18
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Birch Street
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19
Continue on Germania Street
893 ft · 24 sec · Germania Street
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20
Continue on East Madison Street
1086 ft · 37 sec · East Madison Street
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21
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
2012 ft · 50 sec · North Farwell Street
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22
Turn right 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 Rhinelander and Eau Claire.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
WI 29 West
Continue straight
89.2 mi · 01h 42m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rhinelander 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 Rhinelander to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Wien is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.8 miles from Rhinelander and 79.1 miles from Eau Claire.
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 41.5 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 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.00 one way or $42.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rhinelander and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.
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 Rhinelander and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 116.44 mi (187.4 km).
#1 Rhinelander
City in and county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin
| Population | 7,637 |
| Coordinates | 45.6366200, -89.4120800 |
| Altitude | 472 |
| 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: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.00 | $42.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.92 | $51.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.54 | $59.09 |
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.