Will I make it from Chicago to Cleveland?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Cleveland on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 28°F cold costs 35%.
346 miles, about 5 h 12 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 · 28°F
No
Runs out about 158 mi short
28°F cold costs 33%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 106 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 142 mi short
28°F cold costs 31%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 87 mi short
76°F heat costs 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 171 mi short
28°F cold costs 33%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 126 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 166 mi short
28°F cold costs 33%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 119 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 178 mi short
28°F cold costs 35%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 133 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
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
- University Park Mall (Mishawaka, IN) — Mishawaka, IN · Electrify America · mile 97 · up to 350 kW
- Tiffin River Service Plaza (West Unity, OH) — West Unity, OH · Electrify America · mile 194 · up to 350 kW
- Sheffield Crossing Station (Sheffield, OH) — Sheffield, OH · Electrify America · mile 321 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Cleveland in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 346-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 28°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Cleveland?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: University Park Mall (Mishawaka, IN) (mile 97); Tiffin River Service Plaza (West Unity, OH) (mile 194); Sheffield Crossing Station (Sheffield, OH) (mile 321). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Cleveland?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 28°F cold costs 33%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Cleveland?
None of the 5 popular EVs we check make it on a January day from a 90% start. The Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD gets closest, running out about 158 miles short. In July it arrives with about 0%.
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.