Will I make it from Phoenix to San Diego?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Phoenix to San Diego on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: the 4,300 ft climb uses 6%.
358 miles, about 5 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 · 53°F
No
Runs out about 126 mi short
53°F cold costs 5%
July · 89°F
No
Runs out about 130 mi short
89°F heat costs 8%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 53°F
No
Runs out about 106 mi short
The 4,300 ft climb uses 6%
July · 89°F
No
Runs out about 113 mi short
89°F heat costs 8%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 53°F
No
Runs out about 147 mi short
53°F cold costs 5%
July · 89°F
No
Runs out about 147 mi short
89°F heat costs 6%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 53°F
No
Runs out about 140 mi short
53°F cold costs 5%
July · 89°F
No
Runs out about 142 mi short
89°F heat costs 7%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 53°F
No
Runs out about 155 mi short
53°F cold costs 6%
July · 89°F
No
Runs out about 155 mi short
89°F heat costs 6%
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 3407 (Buckeye, AZ) — Buckeye, AZ · Electrify America · mile 31 · up to 350 kW
- Target T2083 (Yuma, AZ) — Yuma, AZ · Electrify America · mile 185 · up to 350 kW
- BOA El Centro CA0-119 (El Centro, CA) — EL Centro, CA · Electrify America · mile 244 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Phoenix to San Diego in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 358-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 53°F.
Where should I charge between Phoenix and San Diego?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Walmart 3407 (Buckeye, AZ) (mile 31); Target T2083 (Yuma, AZ) (mile 185); BOA El Centro CA0-119 (El Centro, CA) (mile 244). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Phoenix and San Diego use?
In a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, the 4,300 ft climb uses about 6% 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 Phoenix to San Diego?
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 126 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.