Will I make it from Chicago to St. Louis?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Chicago to St. Louis on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 26°F cold costs 32%.
297 miles, about 4 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 · 26°F
No
Runs out about 110 mi short
26°F cold costs 31%
July · 75°F
No
Runs out about 57 mi short
75°F heat costs 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 95 mi short
26°F cold costs 29%
July · 75°F
No
Runs out about 37 mi short
75°F heat costs 2%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 122 mi short
26°F cold costs 31%
July · 75°F
No
Runs out about 76 mi short
75°F heat costs 1%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 118 mi short
26°F cold costs 31%
July · 75°F
No
Runs out about 69 mi short
75°F heat costs 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 128 mi short
26°F cold costs 32%
July · 75°F
No
Runs out about 83 mi short
75°F heat costs 2%
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
- Pontiac, IL Rechargery Relay - 1 Holiday Road, — Pontiac, IL · IONNA · mile 99 · up to 250 kW
- Walmart 3459 (Bloomington, IL) — Bloomington, IL · Electrify America · mile 136 · up to 350 kW
- Springfield, IL Rechargery Relay - S Dirksen Pkwy — Springfield, IL · IONNA · mile 201 · up to 400 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Chicago to St. Louis in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 297-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 26°F.
Where should I charge between Chicago and St. Louis?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Pontiac, IL Rechargery Relay - 1 Holiday Road, (mile 99); Walmart 3459 (Bloomington, IL) (mile 136); Springfield, IL Rechargery Relay - S Dirksen Pkwy (mile 201). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Chicago and St. Louis?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 26°F cold costs 31%.
What is the best EV for Chicago to St. Louis?
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 110 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.