Will I make it from San Diego to Las Vegas?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from San Diego to Las Vegas on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: the 4,700 ft climb uses 15%.
331 miles, about 4 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 · 49°F
No
Runs out about 126 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 14%
July · 84°F
No
Runs out about 119 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 14%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 49°F
No
Runs out about 107 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 15%
July · 84°F
No
Runs out about 104 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 15%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 49°F
No
Runs out about 142 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 13%
July · 84°F
No
Runs out about 134 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 13%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 49°F
No
Runs out about 132 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 11%
July · 84°F
No
Runs out about 126 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 11%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 49°F
No
Runs out about 148 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 12%
July · 84°F
No
Runs out about 140 mi short
The 4,700 ft climb uses 12%
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 91 · up to 350 kW
- Green Tree Inn — Victorville, CA · EVgo · mile 142 · up to 350 kW
- Terrible's Road House - Tesla Supercharger — Jean, NV · Tesla · mile 300 · up to 325 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from San Diego to Las Vegas in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 331-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 49°F.
Where should I charge between San Diego and Las Vegas?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: The District at Moreno Valley (mile 91); Green Tree Inn (mile 142); Terrible's Road House - Tesla Supercharger (mile 300). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
How much battery does the climb between San Diego and Las Vegas use?
In a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the 4,700 ft climb uses about 14% 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 San Diego to Las Vegas?
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.