Will I make it from Detroit to Pittsburgh?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Detroit to Pittsburgh on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 26°F cold costs 31%.
286 miles, about 4 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 · 26°F
No
Runs out about 102 mi short
26°F cold costs 29%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 53 mi short
The 700 ft climb uses 1%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 88 mi short
26°F cold costs 27%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 33 mi short
The 700 ft climb uses 1%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 116 mi short
26°F cold costs 29%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 71 mi short
The 700 ft climb uses 1%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 110 mi short
26°F cold costs 29%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 65 mi short
Highway driving uses 114%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 26°F
No
Runs out about 122 mi short
26°F cold costs 31%
July · 72°F
No
Runs out about 78 mi short
The 700 ft climb uses 1%
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
- Blue Heron Service Plaza (Genoa, OH) — Genoa, OH · Electrify America · mile 74 · up to 350 kW
- Sheffield Crossing Station (Sheffield, OH) — Sheffield, OH · Electrify America · mile 144 · up to 350 kW
- Sheetz Store 133 (Cranberry Township, PA) — Cranberry Township, PA · Electrify America · mile 265 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Detroit to Pittsburgh in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 286-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 26°F.
Where should I charge between Detroit and Pittsburgh?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Blue Heron Service Plaza (Genoa, OH) (mile 74); Sheffield Crossing Station (Sheffield, OH) (mile 144); Sheetz Store 133 (Cranberry Township, PA) (mile 265). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Detroit and Pittsburgh?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 26°F cold costs 29%.
What is the best EV for Detroit to Pittsburgh?
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 102 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.