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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Madison to Eau Claire. Traveling by bus from Madison to Eau Claire usually takes around 6 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Badger Bus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 159 mi (256 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $29.49 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Madison to Eau Claire
- Badger Bus: 1 daily buses from $46
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $29
- Greyhound: 1 daily buses from $40
How much is a bus ticket from Madison to Eau Claire?
Bus tickets for a trip from Madison to Eau Claire cost $34.65 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Madison to Eau Claire in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $36 to $48. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 29, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Eau Claire this week, bus tickets are available starting at $36.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $14.79 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Madison to Eau Claire?
There are 3 bus lines from Madison to Eau Claire available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. FlixBus US offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badger Bus | 1 | 2h 45m | $47.35 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 3h 50m | $39.47 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 7h 20m | $52.35 |
Badger Bus is a family-owned bus company running routes across Wisconsin and Minnesota, such as Madison to Eau Claire. It shares the same fuzzy mascot as the University of Wisconsin, which makes it a popular choice for students traveling between the Madison and Milwaukee campuses. The easily recognizable red, white, and black buses feature free reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seats with outlets, and clean restroom facilities.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from Madison to Eau Claire, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Madison to Eau Claire every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Eau Claire usually start from $40.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 159 miles from Madison to Eau Claire. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Eau Claire. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Madison to Eau Claire, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Madison to Eau Claire every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Madison to Eau Claire; ticket prices start at $63.00.
City Information
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: Phillips 66
Buses to Eau Claire leave from 3 stations in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
Phillips 66
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)
Where does the bus arrive in Eau Claire?
Main arrival station: Mcdonald's Restaurant
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Eau Claire.
All bus stations in Eau Claire:
Mcdonald's Restaurant
642 University Drive - Towers Hall
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