Will I make it from Vail to Aspen?
In July, all 5 of these popular EVs make it from Vail to Aspen on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, all 5 do. The biggest winter drain: 18°F cold costs 13%.
102 miles, about 1 h 48 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 · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 37–52%
18°F cold costs 13%
July · 60°F
Yes
Arrives with 53–61%
The 2,200 ft climb uses 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 39–54%
18°F cold costs 13%
July · 60°F
Yes
Arrives with 55–63%
The 2,200 ft climb uses 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 34–51%
18°F cold costs 13%
July · 60°F
Yes
Arrives with 50–60%
The 2,200 ft climb uses 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 36–53%
18°F cold costs 13%
July · 60°F
Yes
Arrives with 52–61%
The 2,200 ft climb uses 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 18°F
Yes
Arrives with 33–50%
18°F cold costs 13%
July · 60°F
Yes
Arrives with 49–59%
The 2,200 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
- East-West Resorts Edwards Station (Edwards, CO) — Edwards, CO · Electrify America · mile 14 · up to 350 kW
- Target T2029 (Glenwood Springs, CO) — Glenwood Springs, CO · Electrify America · mile 61 · up to 350 kW
- COWEN DRIVE DC 1 — Carbondale, CO · ChargePoint · mile 73 · up to 50 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Vail to Aspen in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 5 of 5 popular EVs make the 102-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 18°F.
Where should I charge between Vail and Aspen?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: East-West Resorts Edwards Station (Edwards, CO) (mile 14); Target T2029 (Glenwood Springs, CO) (mile 61); COWEN DRIVE DC 1 (mile 73). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Vail and Aspen?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 18°F cold costs 13%.
What is the best EV for Vail to Aspen?
Of the 5 popular EVs we check, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD arrives with the most charge on a January day: about 47% (39–54%) from a 90% start. In July it arrives with about 59%.
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.