Will I make it from Denver to Buena Vista?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Buena Vista on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 16°F cold costs 17%.
122 miles, about 2 h 12 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 · 16°F
Yes
Arrives with 16–36%
16°F cold costs 16%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–48%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 13%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 16°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–38%
16°F cold costs 16%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 39–49%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 13%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 16°F
Yes
Arrives with 14–35%
16°F cold costs 16%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–47%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 13%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 16°F
Yes
Arrives with 17–38%
16°F cold costs 16%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–49%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 11%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 16°F
Yes
Arrives with 13–34%
16°F cold costs 17%
July · 54°F
Yes
Arrives with 33–46%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 12%
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
- CORE SEDALIA BAILEY1 — Bailey, CO · ChargePoint · mile 47 · up to 50 kW
- DC CORRIDOR FAIRPLAY PL2 — Fairplay, CO · ChargePoint · mile 85 · up to 50 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Buena Vista in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 122-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 16°F.
Where should I charge between Denver and Buena Vista?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Lakewood, CO (mile 10); CORE SEDALIA BAILEY1 (mile 47); DC CORRIDOR FAIRPLAY PL2 (mile 85). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Denver and Buena Vista?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 16°F cold costs 16%.
What is the best EV for Denver to Buena Vista?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 29% (19–38%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 45%.
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.