How far is Sun Prairie, WI from Eau Claire, WI?

The driving distance from Sun Prairie, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.8 miles (257.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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
178.72 mi
02h 46m
Flight
159.82 mi
257.2 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sun Prairie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.82 mi
Kilometers
257.2 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.72 mi
Kilometers
287.63 km
Drive Time
02h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eau Claire
Thu, Apr 23, 3:54 AM CDT
Return by in Sun Prairie
Thu, Apr 23, 6:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sun Prairie
2026-04-23T01:08
Arrive Eau Claire
Thu, Apr 23, 3:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sun Prairie
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
Oakdale
WI

Village in Monroe County, Wisconsin

From Sun Prairie
87.1 mi
01h 23m
To Eau Claire
91.6 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sun Prairie and Eau Claire.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    12 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Bristol Street

    38 m · 8 sec · North Bristol Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · West Main Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Main Street

    44 m · 3 sec · West Main Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street

    1303 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Main Street

    33 m · 2 sec · West Main Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street

    1346 ft · 27 sec · West Main Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto North Grand Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Grand Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Highway 19

    4.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 19

  10. 10

    Take the ramp right toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells

    1116 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    21.6 mi · 23 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  13. 13

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

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  14. 14

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

    1027 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

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

    2757 ft · 36 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    1.3 mi · 1 min

  17. 17

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

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Hastings Way

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Brackett Avenue

    2261 ft · 59 sec · Brackett Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Harding Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Harding Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Washington Street

    721 ft · 19 sec · Washington Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South Farwell Street

    2973 ft · 1 min · South Farwell Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East Grand Avenue

    11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun Prairie 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
23 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
85.3 mi · 48%
I 94 West
76.1 mi · 43%
State Highway 19
4.16 mi · 2%
West Main Street
2.7 mi · 2%
US 53 North
1.78 mi · 1%
South Hastings Way
0.81 mi
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 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
02h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.9 mi
159.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakdale
01h 23m from Sun Prairie
Leave By
12:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie to Eau Claire?

The road trip is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?

Oakdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Sun Prairie and 91.6 miles from Eau Claire.

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

The direct path is about 159.8 miles (257.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 12:58 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 Mostly Sunny around Sun Prairie and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Eau Claire.

Stop Ideas Near Oakdale

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

10 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

61 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

64 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
RAIL

La Crosse

71 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sun Prairie and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 159.82 mi (257.2 km).

Sun Prairie

#1 Sun Prairie

Third-class city in Dane County, Wisconsin

Population2,473
Coordinates43.1836000, -89.2137300
Altitude292
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: (-89.213721, 43.183645)
End: East Grand Avenue (-91.49848, 44.811339)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
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.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.87 L · about $23.80
Round trip
$47.59
12.62 gal · 47.74 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound 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

There is no time difference between Sun Prairie and Eau Claire. The current time is 01:08:22.

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.