Will I make it from Los Angeles to San Diego?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Los Angeles to San Diego on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 51°F cold costs 2%.
121 miles, about 1 h 54 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 · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–52%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 40–53%
Highway driving uses 43%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 41–55%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 44–55%
Highway driving uses 40%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 32–49%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 36–50%
Highway driving uses 47%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–51%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–51%
Highway driving uses 45%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 30–48%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–49%
Highway driving uses 48%
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 2242 (Anaheim, CA) — Anaheim, CA · Electrify America · mile 24 · up to 350 kW
- Dana Point Station (CALeVIP) (Dana Point, CA) — Capistrano Beach, CA · Electrify America · mile 57 · up to 350 kW
- Carlsbad Premium Outlets (Carlsbad, CA) — Carlsbad, CA · Electrify America · mile 89 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Los Angeles to San Diego in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 121-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 51°F.
Where should I charge between Los Angeles and San Diego?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Walmart 2242 (Anaheim, CA) (mile 24); Dana Point Station (CALeVIP) (Dana Point, CA) (mile 57); Carlsbad Premium Outlets (Carlsbad, CA) (mile 89). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Los Angeles and San Diego?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 51°F cold costs 2%.
What is the best EV for Los Angeles to San Diego?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 49% (41–55%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 50%.
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.