How far is Rochester, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Rochester, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.1 miles (349.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m 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 04h 01m.
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 Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance T-storms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester and Eau Claire.
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1
Start on West Main Street
85 m · 10 sec · West Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Front Street
1752 ft · 60 sec · North Front Street
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3
Continue on North Browns Lake Drive
893 ft · 25 sec · North Browns Lake Drive
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4
Continue on South Jefferson Street
1153 ft · 39 sec · South Jefferson Street
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5
Turn left onto Ela Avenue
1219 ft · 33 sec · Ela Avenue
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6
Continue on Buena Park Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Buena Park Road
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7
Turn left onto High Drive
1895 ft · 40 sec · High Drive
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8
Turn straight onto Northwest Highway
5.9 mi · 8 min · Northwest Highway
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9
Continue on State Highway 83
1511 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 83
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10
Continue on South Rochester Street
3.3 mi · 7 min · South Rochester Street
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11
Continue on State Highway 83
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 83
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
30 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83
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13
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1.3 km · 1 min · State Highway 83
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
31 m · 6 sec · State Highway 83
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15
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 83
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
39 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83
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17
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
2.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 83
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 83
41 m · 8 sec · State Highway 83
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19
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 83
1568 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 83
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20
Continue on South Wales Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Wales Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Summit Avenue
54 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue
565 ft · 14 sec · West Summit Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Summit Avenue
21 m · 4 sec · West Summit Avenue
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24
Exit the roundabout onto West Summit Avenue
125 m · 10 sec · West Summit Avenue
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25
Continue on US Highway 18
1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 18
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26
Turn right onto County Highway C
2.8 mi · 5 min · County Highway C
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27
Take the ramp left toward I 94 West
1824 ft · 45 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
44.8 mi · 48 min · East-West Freeway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29.1 mi · 31 min
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30
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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31
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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32
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
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33
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
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34
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 1 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way
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36
Turn left onto Brackett Avenue
2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue
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37
Continue on Harding Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue
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38
Continue on Washington Street
721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street
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39
Turn right onto South Farwell Street
2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street
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40
Turn left onto East Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester 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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rochester and Slight Chance T-storms near Eau Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rochester to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.5 miles from Rochester and 123.7 miles from Eau Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.1 miles (349.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 8:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.77 one way or $65.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rochester and Slight Chance T-storms near Eau Claire.
Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells
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 Wisconsin Dells.
Wisconsin Dells
Portage
Westfield, WI
Madison, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 217.08 mi (349.35 km).
#1 Rochester
Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 3,880 |
| Coordinates | 42.7414100, -88.2242600 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| 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: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.77 | $65.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.96 | $73.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.44 | $80.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.09 | $92.18 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.