Will I make it from Chicago to Indianapolis?
In July, 2 of 5 of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Indianapolis on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 23°F cold costs 22%.
185 miles, about 2 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 · 23°F
No
Arrives with 0–17%
23°F cold costs 21%
July · 71°F
Yes
Arrives with 13–32%
Highway driving uses 67%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 23°F
No
Arrives with 0–22%
23°F cold costs 20%
July · 71°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–36%
Highway driving uses 62%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 11 mi short
23°F cold costs 21%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 6–27%
Highway driving uses 73%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 5 mi short
23°F cold costs 21%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 8–29%
Highway driving uses 71%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 19 mi short
23°F cold costs 22%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 2–25%
Highway driving uses 76%
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
- Fair Oaks, IN - Tesla Supercharger — Fair Oaks, IN · Tesla · mile 77 · up to 250 kW
- Walmart 1547 (Lafayette, IN) — Lafayette, IN · Electrify America · mile 126 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Indianapolis in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 185-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 23°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Indianapolis?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Thomas CDJR of Highland (mile 30); Fair Oaks, IN - Tesla Supercharger (mile 77); Walmart 1547 (Lafayette, IN) (mile 126). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Indianapolis?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 23°F cold costs 21%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Indianapolis?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 8% (0–22%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 28%.
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.