WINTER EV ROAD TRIP: Mountains, Salt Flats & Range Anxiety: Denver to California
Zeke and Terri in Silverthorne, Colorado at the beginning of the road trip from Denver, CO to Redwood City, CA
What happens when you combine winter temperatures, remote mountain passes, and long-distance EV travel? We discovered the answer during our ambitious 1,303-mile Tesla Model Y journey from Denver to California, crossing through Colorado, Utah, and Nevada in challenging winter conditions.
Our four-day adventure wasn't just about reaching our destination – it became an eye-opening experience about the realities of long-distance EV travel in cold weather. While Tesla's charging network is extensive, we quickly learned that estimated range and actual range can differ significantly when you're climbing mountain passes in freezing temperatures.
The journey began in Denver, taking us through some of Colorado's most stunning winter landscapes. Our first major challenge came early as we navigated the steep climbs to Silverthorne and Vail, where our range anxiety got its first real test. The combination of cold weather and elevation gain meant more frequent charging stops than we'd initially planned.
Day two brought our most ambitious stretch: a 513-mile push from Grand Junction, Colorado to Elko, Nevada. This leg included everything from Utah's dramatic canyons to the otherworldly Bonneville Salt Flats. While beautiful, this remote stretch taught us valuable lessons about winter EV travel planning and the importance of buffer time between charging stops.
Among the highlights was watching Good Boy George attempt to chase a fox in Silverthorne (sorry, George, not today!), discovering small-town charm in unexpected places, and marveling at the geological wonders along our route. We even managed to find some excellent dog parks in West Wendover, Sparks, and Reno, proving that road trips with pets require extra planning but are entirely doable.
The journey wasn't without its challenges. Self-driving features that work beautifully on straight highways needed more attention in canyon areas, and the cold weather's impact on battery range meant constantly adjusting our travel calculations. We logged ten charging stops over the four days, each offering its own unique glimpse into small-town America.
For anyone considering a similar winter EV adventure, our experience offers valuable insights:
Plan for significantly reduced range in cold weather
Build in extra time for charging stops
Research backup charging options in remote areas
Consider hotel locations near charging stations
Download offline maps for areas with spotty coverage
The trip concluded with Terri heading home to Redwood City to reunite with Zuko and Felix, while Zeke made his way back to Denver. Despite the challenges, the journey proved that long-distance EV travel is absolutely possible – it just requires more planning, flexibility, and a sense of adventure.
Want to see the full adventure? Check out our detailed video showing every step of this winter EV journey, complete with charging stops, scenic views, and honest insights about the challenges and rewards of electric vehicle travel in challenging conditions.
Don’t miss our axe-throwing adventure in Reno, a casual date night before we went our separate ways!