Will I make it from Riverside to San Diego?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Riverside to San Diego on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: the 800 ft climb uses 3%.
99 miles, about 1 h 30 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 · 50°F
Yes
Arrives with 43–56%
The 800 ft climb uses 2%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 47–57%
The 800 ft climb uses 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 50°F
Yes
Arrives with 46–58%
The 800 ft climb uses 3%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 50–59%
The 800 ft climb uses 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 50°F
Yes
Arrives with 40–54%
The 800 ft climb uses 2%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 43–55%
The 800 ft climb uses 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 50°F
Yes
Arrives with 41–55%
50°F cold costs 2%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 45–56%
The 800 ft climb uses 1%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 50°F
Yes
Arrives with 38–53%
50°F cold costs 2%
July · 68°F
Yes
Arrives with 42–54%
The 800 ft climb uses 2%
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
- The District at Moreno Valley — Moreno Valley, CA · EVgo · mile 8 · up to 350 kW
- Sam's Club 4822 (Murrieta, CA) — Murrieta, CA · Electrify America · mile 36 · up to 350 kW
- Walmart 2177 (San Diego, CA) — San Diego, CA · Electrify America · mile 91 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Riverside to San Diego in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 99-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 50°F.
Where should I charge between Riverside and San Diego?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: The District at Moreno Valley (mile 8); Sam's Club 4822 (Murrieta, CA) (mile 36); Walmart 2177 (San Diego, CA) (mile 91). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Riverside and San Diego use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the 800 ft climb uses about 2% 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 Riverside 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 53% (46–58%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 55%.
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.