Will I make it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: the 4,500 ft climb uses 10%.
269 miles, about 4 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 · 46°F
No
Runs out about 75 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 9%
July · 82°F
No
Runs out about 65 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 9%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 46°F
No
Runs out about 62 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 10%
July · 82°F
No
Runs out about 43 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 10%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 46°F
No
Runs out about 81 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 9%
July · 82°F
No
Runs out about 77 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 9%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 46°F
No
Runs out about 78 mi short
46°F cold costs 8%
July · 82°F
No
Runs out about 70 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 8%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 46°F
No
Runs out about 84 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 8%
July · 82°F
No
Runs out about 80 mi short
The 4,500 ft climb uses 8%
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
- Mountain Vista Plaza — Duarte, CA · EVgo · mile 20 · up to 350 kW
- Walmart 1879 (Barstow, CA) — Barstow, CA · Electrify America · mile 115 · up to 350 kW
- Terrible's Road House - Tesla Supercharger — Jean, NV · Tesla · mile 239 · up to 325 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 269-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 46°F.
Where should I charge between Los Angeles and Las Vegas?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Mountain Vista Plaza (mile 20); Walmart 1879 (Barstow, CA) (mile 115); Terrible's Road House - Tesla Supercharger (mile 239). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Los Angeles and Las Vegas use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the 4,500 ft climb uses about 9% of the battery on a January day. Coming down gives some of it back through regenerative braking, but not all of it.
What is the best EV for Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
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 75 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.