Will I make it from Washington to Pittsburgh?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Washington to Pittsburgh on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 29°F cold costs 22%.
242 miles, about 3 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 · 29°F
No
Runs out about 59 mi short
29°F cold costs 21%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 5 mi short
The 2,600 ft climb uses 6%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 29°F
No
Runs out about 37 mi short
29°F cold costs 20%
July · 73°F
No
Arrives with 0–15%
The 2,600 ft climb uses 7%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 29°F
No
Runs out about 66 mi short
29°F cold costs 21%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 22 mi short
The 2,600 ft climb uses 6%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 29°F
No
Runs out about 61 mi short
29°F cold costs 21%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 14 mi short
The 2,600 ft climb uses 5%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 29°F
No
Runs out about 73 mi short
29°F cold costs 22%
July · 73°F
No
Runs out about 28 mi short
The 2,600 ft climb uses 5%
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
- Middletown, MD Rechargery Relay - Middletown Pkwy — Middletown, MD · IONNA · mile 50 · up to 400 kW
- Sheetz Store 352 (Bedford, PA) — Bedford, PA · Electrify America · mile 137 · up to 350 kW
- Sheetz New Stanton, powered by Electrify America — New Stanton, PA · Electrify America · mile 208 · up to 400 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Washington to Pittsburgh in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 242-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 29°F.
Where should I charge between Washington and Pittsburgh?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Middletown, MD Rechargery Relay - Middletown Pkwy (mile 50); Sheetz Store 352 (Bedford, PA) (mile 137); Sheetz New Stanton, powered by Electrify America (mile 208). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Washington and Pittsburgh?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 29°F cold costs 21%.
What is the best EV for Washington to Pittsburgh?
None of the 5 popular EVs we check make it on a January day from a 90% start. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD gets closest, running out about 37 miles short. In July it arrives with about 5%.
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.