Will I make it from Denver to Copper Mountain?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Copper Mountain on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%.
78 miles, about 1 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
Yes
Arrives with 32–46%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 46–54%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–48%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 47–55%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 31–45%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 44–53%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–48%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 47–55%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 15%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 30–45%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 43–53%
Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses 17%
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
- Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) — Evergreen, CO · Electrify America · mile 22 · up to 350 kW
- Idaho Springs, CO — Idaho Springs, CO · Rivian Adventure Network · mile 32 · up to 300 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 Copper Mountain in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 78-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 18°F.
Where should I charge between Denver and Copper Mountain?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Marketplace at Bergen Park (Evergreen, CO) (mile 22); Idaho Springs, CO (mile 32); Walmart 986 (Frisco, CO) (mile 70). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Denver and Copper Mountain use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the Eisenhower Tunnel climb uses about 17% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Denver to Copper Mountain?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 41% (34–48%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 52%.
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.