Will I make it from Washington to Raleigh?
In July, none of these popular EVs make it from Washington to Raleigh on a 90% charge with at least 10% to spare; in January, none do. The biggest winter drain: 38°F cold costs 17%.
284 miles, about 4 h 18 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 · 38°F
No
Runs out about 80 mi short
38°F cold costs 16%
July · 78°F
No
Runs out about 51 mi short
78°F heat costs 2%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
January · 38°F
No
Runs out about 63 mi short
38°F cold costs 15%
July · 78°F
No
Runs out about 34 mi short
78°F heat costs 3%
Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD
January · 38°F
No
Runs out about 95 mi short
38°F cold costs 16%
July · 78°F
No
Runs out about 69 mi short
78°F heat costs 2%
Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD
January · 38°F
No
Runs out about 89 mi short
38°F cold costs 16%
July · 78°F
No
Runs out about 62 mi short
78°F heat costs 2%
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
January · 38°F
No
Runs out about 102 mi short
38°F cold costs 17%
July · 78°F
No
Runs out about 76 mi short
78°F heat costs 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
- Ashland, VA Rechargery @ Wawa - N Washington Hwy — Ashland, VA · IONNA · mile 91 · up to 400 kW
- Walmart 2805 (Emporia, VA) — Emporia, VA · Electrify America · mile 176 · up to 350 kW
- Sheetz Store 504 (Rocky Mount, NC) — Rocky Mount, NC · Electrify America · mile 232 · up to 350 kW
Questions about this trip
Will I make it from Washington to Raleigh in winter?
On a mid-January morning, 0 of 5 popular EVs make the 284-mile drive from a 90% charge and arrive with at least 10%. Typical temperature on the way: 38°F.
Where should I charge between Washington and Raleigh?
The best DC fast-charging stops on the way, in order: Ashland, VA Rechargery @ Wawa - N Washington Hwy (mile 91); Walmart 2805 (Emporia, VA) (mile 176); Sheetz Store 504 (Rocky Mount, NC) (mile 232). Charge to about 80%; above that, charging slows sharply.
What uses the most battery between Washington and Raleigh?
On a January day in a Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, the single biggest drain is this: 38°F cold costs 16%.
What is the best EV for Washington to Raleigh?
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 80 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.