Will I make it from Detroit to Indianapolis?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Detroit to Indianapolis on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 25°F cold costs 32%.
288 miles, about 4 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 · 25°F
No
Runs out about 98 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 45 mi short
Highway driving uses 106%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 84 mi short
25°F cold costs 29%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 25 mi short
Highway driving uses 98%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 110 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 64 mi short
Highway driving uses 115%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 106 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 57 mi short
Highway driving uses 112%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 116 mi short
25°F cold costs 32%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 71 mi short
Highway driving uses 119%
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
- Luna Pier BP — Luna Pier, MI · Red E Charge · mile 46 · up to 320 kW
- SNYDER BUICKGMC — Napoleon, OH · ChargePoint · mile 103 · up to 50 kW
- Meijer-Meijer 154 (Indianapolis, IN) — Indianapolis, IN · Electrify America · mile 269 · up to 150 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Detroit to Indianapolis in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 288-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 25°F.
Where should I charge between Detroit and Indianapolis?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Luna Pier BP (mile 46); SNYDER BUICKGMC (mile 103); Meijer-Meijer 154 (Indianapolis, IN) (mile 269). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Detroit and Indianapolis?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 25°F cold costs 30%.
What is the best EV for Detroit to Indianapolis?
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 98 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.