Will I make it from Chicago to Columbus?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Columbus on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 28°F cold costs 36%.
359 miles, about 5 h 30 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 169 mi short
28°F cold costs 34%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 115 mi short
76°F heat costs 3%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 154 mi short
28°F cold costs 32%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 96 mi short
76°F heat costs 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 182 mi short
28°F cold costs 34%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 135 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 177 mi short
28°F cold costs 34%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 127 mi short
76°F heat costs 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 28°F
No
Runs out about 190 mi short
28°F cold costs 36%
July · 76°F
No
Runs out about 142 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
- Thomas CDJR of Highland — Highland, IN · Red E Charge · mile 30 · up to 180 kW
- Simon Fashion Mall at Keystone (Indianapolis, IN) — Indianapolis, IN · Electrify America · mile 181 · up to 350 kW
- McDonald's 40 Triggs Rd — Brookville, OH · EVgo · mile 280 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Columbus in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 359-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 Columbus?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Thomas CDJR of Highland (mile 30); Simon Fashion Mall at Keystone (Indianapolis, IN) (mile 181); McDonald's 40 Triggs Rd (mile 280). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Columbus?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 28°F cold costs 34%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Columbus?
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 169 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.