How far is South Milwaukee, WI from Eau Claire, WI?

The driving distance from South Milwaukee, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 255.6 miles (411.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
255.56 mi
03h 52m
Flight
223.77 mi
360.13 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Milwaukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
223.77 mi
Kilometers
360.13 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
255.56 mi
Kilometers
411.29 km
Drive Time
03h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eau Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 11:34 PM CDT
Return by in South Milwaukee
Sun, Apr 19, 3:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Milwaukee
2026-04-18T19:42
Arrive Eau Claire
Sat, Apr 18, 11:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:16 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Milwaukee
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lake Delton
WI

Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

From South Milwaukee
127.4 mi
01h 56m
To Eau Claire
128.1 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Slight Chance T-storms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Avenue

    13 m · 9 sec · 10th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Milwaukee Avenue

    2910 ft · 2 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 15th Avenue

    1615 ft · 1 min · 15th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Rawson Avenue

    3.1 mi · 6 min · East Rawson Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 North, I 94 West

    2663 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North-South Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac

    3138 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee

    937 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    3267 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    665 ft · 11 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

    29.1 mi · 31 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior

    1027 ft · 19 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior

    2757 ft · 36 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    1.3 mi · 1 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 53 Business: Hastings Way

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

    2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Harding Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Washington Street

    721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto South Farwell Street

    2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

    11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 36%
I 94 West
77 mi · 30%
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi · 25%
I 41 North
6.37 mi · 2%
Airport Freeway
4.58 mi · 2%
East Rawson Avenue
3.12 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 52m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.8 mi
223.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Delton
01h 56m from South Milwaukee
Leave By
9:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee to Eau Claire?

The road trip is about 255.6 miles (411.3 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?

Lake Delton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.4 miles from South Milwaukee and 128.1 miles from Eau Claire.

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

The direct path is about 223.8 miles (360.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.01 one way or $68.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around South Milwaukee and Slight Chance T-storms near Eau Claire.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake Delton, 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 Lake Delton.

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

3 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

27 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

40 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

67 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Milwaukee and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 223.77 mi (360.13 km).

South Milwaukee

#1 South Milwaukee

City in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Population20,673
Coordinates42.9105700, -87.8606400
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Eau Claire

#2 Eau Claire

The most populous city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

Population67,065
Coordinates44.8113500, -91.4984900
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: 10th Avenue (-87.860719, 42.910573)
End: East Grand Avenue (-91.49848, 44.811339)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 411 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.02 gal
34.14 L · about $34.01
Round trip
$68.03
18.04 gal · 68.28 L
Estimated CO2
80.2 kg one way
Round trip: 160.3 kg / 353 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.01 $68.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.36 $76.72
Premium $4.65 $41.98 $83.96
Diesel $5.30 $47.84 $95.68

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between South Milwaukee and Eau Claire. The current time is 19:42:19.

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.