Will I make it from Chicago to Madison?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Madison on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 18°F cold costs 21%.
148 miles, about 2 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 · 18°F
Close
Arrives with 0–27%
18°F cold costs 20%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 26–42%
The 400 ft climb uses 1%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 18°F
Close
Arrives with 6–32%
18°F cold costs 19%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 31–45%
The 400 ft climb uses 1%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 18°F
No
Arrives with 0–23%
18°F cold costs 20%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 20–38%
Highway driving uses 60%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 18°F
Close
Arrives with 0–25%
18°F cold costs 20%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 22–40%
Highway driving uses 58%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 18°F
No
Arrives with 0–21%
18°F cold costs 21%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 17–36%
Highway driving uses 62%
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
- Colony Square — MT Prospect, IL · EVgo · mile 21 · up to 350 kW
- Sams Club 8297 (Rockford, IL) — Rockford, IL · Electrify America · mile 78 · up to 350 kW
- Janesville, WI Rechargery Relay - Morse St — Janesville, WI · IONNA · mile 110 · up to 375 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Madison in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 148-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 18°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Madison?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Colony Square (mile 21); Sams Club 8297 (Rockford, IL) (mile 78); Janesville, WI Rechargery Relay - Morse St (mile 110). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Madison?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 18°F cold costs 20%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Madison?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 20% (6–32%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 39%.
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.