Will I make it from Chicago to Detroit?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Detroit on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 25°F cold costs 32%.
283 miles, about 4 h 18 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 · 25°F
No
Runs out about 98 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 74°F
No
Runs out about 47 mi short
74°F heat costs 1%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 84 mi short
25°F cold costs 28%
July · 74°F
No
Runs out about 28 mi short
74°F heat costs 2%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 110 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 74°F
No
Runs out about 67 mi short
74°F heat costs 1%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 106 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 74°F
No
Runs out about 60 mi short
74°F heat costs 1%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 116 mi short
25°F cold costs 32%
July · 74°F
No
Runs out about 73 mi short
74°F heat costs 1%
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
- Meijer 149 (Michigan City, IN) — Michigan City, IN · Electrify America · mile 57 · up to 350 kW
- Meijer 041 (Benton Harbor, MI) — Benton Harbor, MI · Electrify America · mile 97 · up to 350 kW
- Jackson Crossing — Jackson, MI · Francis Energy · mile 206 · up to 400 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Detroit in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 283-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 25°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Detroit?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Meijer 149 (Michigan City, IN) (mile 57); Meijer 041 (Benton Harbor, MI) (mile 97); Jackson Crossing (mile 206). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Detroit?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 25°F cold costs 30%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Detroit?
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 98 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.