Will I make it from Denver to Telluride?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Denver to Telluride on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 23°F cold costs 35%.
330 miles, about 6 h 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
No
Runs out about 143 mi short
23°F cold costs 35%
July · 66°F
No
Runs out about 62 mi short
Monarch Pass climb uses 27%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 133 mi short
23°F cold costs 34%
July · 66°F
No
Runs out about 54 mi short
Monarch Pass climb uses 28%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 149 mi short
23°F cold costs 34%
July · 66°F
No
Runs out about 83 mi short
Monarch Pass climb uses 26%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 136 mi short
23°F cold costs 34%
July · 66°F
No
Runs out about 59 mi short
Monarch Pass climb uses 22%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 23°F
No
Runs out about 154 mi short
23°F cold costs 35%
July · 66°F
No
Runs out about 94 mi short
Monarch Pass climb uses 25%
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
- Walmart 5049 (Littleton, CO) — Littleton, CO · Electrify America · mile 19 · up to 150 kW
- SDCEA SOUTH MAIN L3 — Buena Vista, CO · ChargePoint · mile 119 · up to 50 kW
- SureStay Plus - Montrose — Montrose, CO · Francis Energy · mile 263 · up to 400 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Denver to Telluride in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 330-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 Telluride?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Walmart 5049 (Littleton, CO) (mile 19); SDCEA SOUTH MAIN L3 (mile 119); SureStay Plus - Montrose (mile 263). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Denver and Telluride?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 23°F cold costs 35%.
What is the best EV for Denver to Telluride?
None of the 5 popular EVs we check make it on a January day from a 90% start. The Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD gets closest, running out about 143 miles short. In July it arrives with about 0%.
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.