How far is Three Lakes, WI from Eau Claire, WI?
The driving distance from Three Lakes, WI to Eau Claire, WI is about 179.6 miles (289 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.4 miles (213.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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 58m.
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 Marathon County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Three Lakes and Eau Claire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Lakes and Eau Claire.
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1
Start on Lake Drive
5 m · 3 sec · Lake Drive
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2
Turn right onto Superior Street
1 km · 2 min · Superior Street
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3
Continue on County Road A
8.7 mi · 15 min · County Road A
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 17
9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 17
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5
Continue on North Stevens Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Stevens Street
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6
Turn slight right
553 ft · 19 sec
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7
Continue on North Stevens Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Stevens Street
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8
Turn right onto West Davenport Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Davenport Street
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9
Turn left onto State Highway 47
1168 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 47
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US Highway 8
8 m · 2 sec · US Highway 8
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11
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 8
2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 8
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12
Continue on US 8
11.6 mi · 16 min · US 8
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13
Turn left
2168 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
41.9 mi · 48 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
1.4 km · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
89.2 mi · 1 hr 42 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
2138 ft · 46 sec
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18
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward River Prairie Drive
1265 ft · 31 sec
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20
Keep slight right
63 m · 7 sec
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21
Turn straight onto River Prairie Drive
3015 ft · 1 min · River Prairie Drive
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22
Continue on Birch Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Birch Street
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23
Continue on Germania Street
893 ft · 24 sec · Germania Street
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24
Continue on East Madison Street
1086 ft · 37 sec · East Madison Street
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25
Turn left onto North Farwell Street
2012 ft · 50 sec · North Farwell Street
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26
Turn right onto East Grand Avenue
11 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Three Lakes 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 Chance Light Rain leaving Three Lakes and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Eau Claire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Three Lakes to Eau Claire?
The road trip is about 179.6 miles (289 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Marathon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Three Lakes and 89.9 miles from Eau Claire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.4 miles (213.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.91 one way or $47.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain around Three Lakes and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Eau Claire.
Stop Ideas Near Marathon
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 Marathon.
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, WI
Abbotsford-Colby, WI
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Three Lakes and Eau Claire. Straight-line distance: 132.4 mi (213.08 km).
#1 Three Lakes
Human settlement in Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States of America
| Population | 2,126 |
| Coordinates | 45.7982900, -89.1629000 |
| Altitude | 507 |
| 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: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.91 | $47.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.96 | $53.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.51 | $59.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.63 | $67.25 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.