Will I make it from Riverside to Santa Barbara?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Riverside to Santa Barbara on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: the 700 ft climb uses 3%.
150 miles, about 2 h 24 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 23–41%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 27–42%
The 700 ft climb uses 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 27–44%
The 700 ft climb uses 3%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 32–45%
The 700 ft climb uses 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 17–38%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 21–39%
The 700 ft climb uses 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–40%
51°F cold costs 2%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 24–41%
The 700 ft climb uses 1%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 51°F
Yes
Arrives with 14–36%
51°F cold costs 3%
July · 67°F
Yes
Arrives with 19–37%
The 700 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
- Mountain Vista Plaza — Duarte, CA · EVgo · mile 42 · up to 350 kW
- Ralphs on Van Nuys & Burbank — Sherman Oaks, CA · EVgo · mile 69 · up to 350 kW
- Camarillo Premium Outlets (Camarillo, CA) — Camarillo, CA · Electrify America · mile 107 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Riverside to Santa Barbara in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 150-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 51°F.
Where should I charge between Riverside and Santa Barbara?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Mountain Vista Plaza (mile 42); Ralphs on Van Nuys & Burbank (mile 69); Camarillo Premium Outlets (Camarillo, CA) (mile 107). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between Riverside and Santa Barbara use?
In a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, the 700 ft climb uses about 3% 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 Santa Barbara?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 37% (27–44%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 39%.
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.