Will I make it from Denver to Salida?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Salida on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, 2 of 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 17°F cold costs 19%.
142 miles, about 2 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 · 17°F
Close
Arrives with 10–32%
17°F cold costs 19%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 33–45%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 11%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 13–34%
17°F cold costs 18%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 35–47%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 11%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 17°F
Close
Arrives with 8–30%
17°F cold costs 18%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 30–43%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 11%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 17°F
Yes
Arrives with 11–33%
17°F cold costs 18%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 33–46%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 9%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 17°F
Close
Arrives with 5–29%
17°F cold costs 19%
July · 55°F
Yes
Arrives with 29–43%
The 4,800 ft climb uses 10%
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
- DC CORRIDOR FAIRPLAY PL2 — Fairplay, CO · ChargePoint · mile 85 · up to 50 kW
- SDCEA SOUTH MAIN L3 — Buena Vista, CO · ChargePoint · mile 119 · up to 50 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Salida in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 2 of 5 popular EVs make the 142-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 Salida?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Lakewood, CO (mile 10); DC CORRIDOR FAIRPLAY PL2 (mile 85); SDCEA SOUTH MAIN L3 (mile 119). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Denver and Salida?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 17°F cold costs 19%.
What is the best EV for Denver to Salida?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 24% (13–34%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 42%.
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.