Will I make it from Milwaukee to Grand Rapids?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Milwaukee to Grand Rapids on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 25°F cold costs 31%.
278 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 · 25°F
No
Runs out about 82 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 27 mi short
Highway driving uses 100%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 68 mi short
25°F cold costs 28%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 8 mi short
73°F heat costs 1%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 94 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 45 mi short
Highway driving uses 109%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 89 mi short
25°F cold costs 30%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 38 mi short
Highway driving uses 106%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 25°F
No
Runs out about 101 mi short
25°F cold costs 31%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 52 mi short
Highway driving uses 113%
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
- Vernon Hills, IL Rechargery Relay @ Casey's - E Townline Rd — Vernon Hills, IL · IONNA · mile 59 · up to 400 kW
- Chicago Ridge Mall — Chicago Ridge, IL · EVgo · mile 101 · up to 350 kW
- Meijer 041 (Benton Harbor, MI) — Benton Harbor, MI · Electrify America · mile 196 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Milwaukee to Grand Rapids in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 278-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 25°F.
Where should I charge between Milwaukee and Grand Rapids?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Vernon Hills, IL Rechargery Relay @ Casey's - E Townline Rd (mile 59); Chicago Ridge Mall (mile 101); Meijer 041 (Benton Harbor, MI) (mile 196). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Milwaukee and Grand Rapids?
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 Milwaukee to Grand Rapids?
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 82 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.