Will I make it from Chicago to Grand Rapids?
In July, 2 of 5 of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Grand Rapids on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 24°F cold costs 21%.
179 miles, about 2 h 48 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 · 24°F
No
Arrives with 0–19%
24°F cold costs 20%
July · 71°F
Yes
Arrives with 13–32%
Highway driving uses 66%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 24°F
Close
Arrives with 0–24%
24°F cold costs 19%
July · 71°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–37%
Highway driving uses 61%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 24°F
No
Runs out about 5 mi short
24°F cold costs 20%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 6–27%
Highway driving uses 72%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 24°F
No
Arrives with 0–16%
24°F cold costs 20%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 8–30%
Highway driving uses 70%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 24°F
No
Runs out about 12 mi short
24°F cold costs 21%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 3–25%
Highway driving uses 75%
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
- Don Woodhams Ford — South Haven, MI · Ford Charge · mile 121 · up to 240 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Grand Rapids in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 179-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 24°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Grand Rapids?
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); Don Woodhams Ford (mile 121). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Grand Rapids?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 24°F cold costs 20%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Grand Rapids?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 10% (0–24%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 29%.
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.