Will I make it from Chicago to Milwaukee?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to Milwaukee on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 19°F cold costs 13%.
92 miles, about 1 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 · 19°F
Yes
Arrives with 38–54%
19°F cold costs 12%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 54–63%
Highway driving uses 31%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 19°F
Yes
Arrives with 41–57%
19°F cold costs 12%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 57–65%
Highway driving uses 29%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 19°F
Yes
Arrives with 35–52%
19°F cold costs 12%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 50–61%
Highway driving uses 34%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 19°F
Yes
Arrives with 36–53%
19°F cold costs 12%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 52–62%
Highway driving uses 33%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 19°F
Yes
Arrives with 32–51%
19°F cold costs 13%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 49–60%
Highway driving uses 35%
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
- Target T1167 (Glenview, IL) — Glenview, IL · Electrify America · mile 21 · up to 350 kW
- Vernon Hills, IL Rechargery Relay @ Casey's - E Townline Rd — Vernon Hills, IL · IONNA · mile 34 · up to 400 kW
- McDonalds #976 Layton — Milwaukee, WI · EVgo · mile 86 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to Milwaukee in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 92-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 19°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and Milwaukee?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Target T1167 (Glenview, IL) (mile 21); Vernon Hills, IL Rechargery Relay @ Casey's - E Townline Rd (mile 34); McDonalds #976 Layton (mile 86). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and Milwaukee?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 19°F cold costs 12%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to Milwaukee?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 50% (41–57%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 61%.
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.