Will I make it from Denver to Estes Park?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Estes Park on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 23°F cold costs 8%.
73 miles, about 1 h 24 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 · 23°F
Yes
Arrives with 47–59%
23°F cold costs 8%
July · 63°F
Yes
Arrives with 58–65%
The 3,200 ft climb uses 8%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 23°F
Yes
Arrives with 49–60%
23°F cold costs 8%
July · 63°F
Yes
Arrives with 60–66%
The 3,200 ft climb uses 8%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 23°F
Yes
Arrives with 45–58%
23°F cold costs 8%
July · 63°F
Yes
Arrives with 56–64%
The 3,200 ft climb uses 7%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 23°F
Yes
Arrives with 47–59%
23°F cold costs 8%
July · 63°F
Yes
Arrives with 58–65%
The 3,200 ft climb uses 7%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 23°F
Yes
Arrives with 44–57%
23°F cold costs 8%
July · 63°F
Yes
Arrives with 55–63%
The 3,200 ft climb uses 7%
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
- Larkridge Shopping Center — Thornton, CO · EVgo · mile 22 · up to 350 kW
- Walmart 5370 (Longmont, CO) — Longmont, CO · Electrify America · mile 43 · up to 350 kW
- Sandstone Park — Lyons, CO · Jule · mile 52 · up to 4 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Estes Park in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 73-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 23°F.
Where should I charge between Denver and Estes Park?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Larkridge Shopping Center (mile 22); Walmart 5370 (Longmont, CO) (mile 43); Sandstone Park (mile 52). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Denver and Estes Park?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 23°F cold costs 8%.
What is the best EV for Denver to Estes Park?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 55% (49–60%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 63%.
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.