Will I make it from Boulder to Vail?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Boulder to Vail on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%.
103 miles, about 1 h 54 min of driving. Leaving at 8 AM on a typical January and July day.
Check your own car and charge level
January and July, car by car
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 24–41%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 41–51%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 26–42%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 43–52%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 22–40%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 39–50%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 25–43%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 13%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 42–53%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 13%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 21–39%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 38–49%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
Yes means the low end of the range still arrives with 10% or more. Close means the likely answer does, but a colder or windier day might not. No means you'll need to stop.
Best fast-charging stops on the way
- Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) — Evergreen, CO · Electrify America · mile 29 · up to 350 kW
- Idaho Springs, CO — Idaho Springs, CO · Rivian Adventure Network · mile 38 · up to 300 kW
- Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) — Frisco, CO · Electrify America · mile 77 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Boulder to Vail in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 103-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 17°F.
Where should I charge between Boulder and Vail?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) (mile 29); Idaho Springs, CO (mile 38); Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) (mile 77). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Boulder and Vail use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses about 15% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Boulder to Vail?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 35% (26–42%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 48%.
How we work this out
Each answer drives the real road route in 30-meter steps: speed, climbs and descents (with regenerative braking), rolling resistance, cabin heating or cooling, a cold battery's lower capacity, and the typical wind. Temperatures are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for each place along the way. Every car is calibrated to its EPA highway rating. Each car starts at 90%.
Updated . Sources: Stadia Maps road routes and elevation, NOAA climate normals, fueleconomy.gov, and the U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.