Will I make it from Denver to Aspen?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Aspen on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 17°F cold costs 22%.
159 miles, about 3 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 · 17°F
No
Arrives with 0–20%
17°F cold costs 22%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 22–36%
Independence Pass climb uses 19%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 17°F
Close
Arrives with 0–22%
17°F cold costs 21%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 24–38%
Independence Pass climb uses 19%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 17°F
No
Arrives with 0–19%
17°F cold costs 20%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 20–35%
Independence Pass climb uses 19%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 17°F
Close
Arrives with 0–23%
17°F cold costs 21%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 24–39%
Independence Pass climb uses 16%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 17°F
No
Arrives with 0–18%
17°F cold costs 22%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–34%
Independence Pass climb uses 18%
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
- Lakewood, CO — Lakewood, CO · Rivian Adventure Network · mile 10 · up to 250 kW
- Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) — Evergreen, CO · Electrify America · mile 22 · up to 350 kW
- Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) — Frisco, CO · Electrify America · mile 70 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Aspen in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 159-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 17°F.
Where should I charge between Denver and Aspen?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Lakewood, CO (mile 10); Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) (mile 22); Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) (mile 70). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Denver and Aspen?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 17°F cold costs 22%.
What is the best EV for Denver to Aspen?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 12% (0–23%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 32%.
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.