Will I make it from San Francisco to Fresno?
In July, 1 of 5 of these popular EVs make it from San Francisco to Fresno on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 45°F cold costs 7%.
194 miles, about 3 h 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 · 45°F
Close
Arrives with 0–24%
45°F cold costs 6%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 5–26%
The 1,000 ft climb uses 3%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 45°F
Close
Arrives with 3–28%
45°F cold costs 6%
July · 71°F
Yes
Arrives with 11–30%
The 1,000 ft climb uses 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 45°F
No
Arrives with 0–19%
45°F cold costs 6%
July · 71°F
No
Arrives with 0–21%
The 1,000 ft climb uses 3%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 45°F
No
Arrives with 0–22%
45°F cold costs 6%
July · 71°F
Close
Arrives with 1–24%
The 1,000 ft climb uses 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 45°F
No
Arrives with 0–17%
45°F cold costs 7%
July · 71°F
No
Arrives with 0–19%
The 1,000 ft climb uses 3%
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
- San Francisco Premium Outlets (Livermore, CA) — Livermore, CA · Electrify America · mile 39 · up to 350 kW
- Target T2359 (Los Banos, CA) — Los Banos, CA · Electrify America · mile 120 · up to 350 kW
- Walmart 1583 (Madera, CA) — Madera, CA · Electrify America · mile 168 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from San Francisco to Fresno in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 194-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 45°F.
Where should I charge between San Francisco and Fresno?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: San Francisco Premium Outlets (Livermore, CA) (mile 39); Target T2359 (Los Banos, CA) (mile 120); Walmart 1583 (Madera, CA) (mile 168). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between San Francisco and Fresno?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 45°F cold costs 6%.
What is the best EV for San Francisco to Fresno?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 17% (3–28%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 21%.
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.