How much does your Tesla’s energy consumption change between city streets, roads outside the city, and the highway?

To find out, we tested our Tesla Model 3 Highland across three roughly 100-kilometer journeys. We targeted 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside the city, and 140 km/h on the highway, wherever permitted and safe.

We measured energy consumption, estimated full-battery range, and journey time to see how the three driving conditions compared.

Watch the full video below to see the test and results:

The Car and Test Conditions

For this comparison, we used our Tesla Model 3 Highland, equipped with a 60 kWh usable battery and 18-inch Michelin e-Primacy tires.

Each run covered roughly 100 kilometers and started with the battery at 60%. Outside temperatures ranged between 16°C and 20°C.

The test setup included:

• Starting battery charge: 60% for all three runs

• City target speed: 50 km/h, wherever permitted and traffic allowed

• Outside-city target speed: 90 km/h, wherever permitted and safe

• Highway target speed: 140 km/h, wherever permitted and safe

• Highway portion of the third route: Approximately 90%

For the outside-city and highway runs, we drove to the halfway point, turned around, and returned along the same route to help balance out differences in elevation and direction.

Traffic lights, queues, slower vehicles, and sections with lower speed limits affected the speed we could actually maintain. We therefore calculated average speed across each complete journey alongside the target speeds.

Test 1 - City Driving

For the city run, we aimed for 50 km/h wherever conditions allowed.

Traffic lights, intersections, and queues meant frequent changes in speed and stops along the way. We followed the flow of traffic, adjusting our pace whenever necessary.

Results

• Journey time: 2 hours and 57 minutes

• Average speed: Approximately 34 km/h

• Reported total energy consumption: 10.6 kWh

• Average energy consumption: 105.9 Wh/km

• Estimated full-battery range: Approximately 567 km

City driving returned the lowest average consumption in our comparison, but it also took the longest to cover the distance.

Using the recorded consumption and our 60 kWh usable battery capacity, estimated full-battery range came to approximately 567 kilometers.

Test 2 - Outside-City Driving

After charging the car back to 60%, we completed our second run on a road where we could target 90 km/h.

We focused on maintaining a steady pace, accelerating smoothly, and anticipating traffic. Leaving enough space behind other vehicles allowed us to ease off the accelerator early when traffic slowed, reducing unnecessary braking and repeated acceleration.

We overtook when necessary and safe, while avoiding unnecessary bursts of speed.

Results

• Journey time: 1 hour and 16 minutes

• Average speed: Approximately 81 km/h

• Battery charge: Dropped from 60% to 42%

• Reported total energy consumption: 11.4 kWh

• Average energy consumption: 110.8 Wh/km

• Estimated full-battery range: Approximately 542 km

The outside-city run came close to the city result for efficiency while completing the journey considerably faster.

Average consumption was just 4.9 Wh/km higher, and the journey took 1 hour and 41 minutes less.

Test 3 - Highway Driving

After charging back to 60% again, we began the highway run.

Our target speed was 140 km/h wherever permitted and safe. We accelerated more firmly when joining the highway or returning to our target speed after slower sections.

Approximately 90% of the route took place on the highway. Traffic and the remaining sections meant our average speed across the complete journey was lower than the target.

Results

• Journey time: 54 minutes

• Average speed: Approximately 111 km/h

• Battery charge: Dropped from 60% to 29%

• Reported total energy consumption: 15.9 kWh

• Average energy consumption: 154.8 Wh/km

• Estimated full-battery range: Approximately 388 km

The highway run delivered the shortest journey time and the highest average consumption.

Using the same 60 kWh usable battery capacity, estimated full-battery range came to approximately 388 kilometers.

City vs Outside the City vs Highway - The Results Compared

City Driving Used 4.4% Less Energy per Kilometer Than Outside-City Driving

Average consumption increased from 105.9 Wh/km in the city to 110.8 Wh/km outside the city.

That means city driving used approximately 4.4% less energy per kilometer relative to the outside-city run.

Estimated full-battery range was around 25 km greater, increasing from approximately 542 km to 567 km, or about 4.6%.

The difference in journey time was much larger: the outside-city run finished 1 hour and 41 minutes sooner.

City Driving Delivered Around 179 km More Estimated Range Than the Highway Run

Compared with the highway result, city driving used approximately 31.6% less energy per kilometer.

Estimated full-battery range increased from approximately 388 km on the highway to 567 km in the city.

That represents around 179 additional kilometers, or approximately 46.2% more estimated range, calculated before rounding.

However, the city journey took 2 hours and 3 minutes longer.

Outside-City Driving Saved 4.5 kWh for an Additional 22 Minutes

The outside-city run returned 110.8 Wh/km, compared with 154.8 Wh/km on the highway.

That is approximately 28.4% lower average consumption relative to the highway run.

Estimated full-battery range was around 154 km greater, or approximately 39.7% higher, calculated before rounding.

Across the recorded journeys, the outside-city run used 4.5 kWh less reported energy and took 22 minutes longer.

For these two journeys, moderate-speed driving offered a substantial energy saving for a relatively small increase in travel time.

What Do the Range Figures Mean?

All range figures are projections based on the recorded average consumption and our 60 kWh usable battery capacity.

They assume the same consumption could be maintained across a full battery. We did not drive the battery from 100% to 0% during these tests.

The routes also differed slightly in distance, so average consumption in Wh/km provides the clearest comparison of energy efficiency.

These results reflect the complete journeys, including stops, acceleration, slower traffic, and sections driven below the target speed. They should not be read as constant-speed consumption figures for 50, 90, or 140 km/h.

Which Driving Conditions Were the Most Efficient?

In our comparison, city driving recorded the lowest consumption, followed closely by the outside-city run.

The outside-city journey combined 110.8 Wh/km average consumption with a journey time of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It came close to city efficiency while covering the distance much faster.

The highway run finished another 22 minutes sooner, but its higher consumption reduced estimated full-battery range to approximately 388 km.

These three journeys show how much driving conditions can affect the range you can expect from the same car. Your own results will depend on traffic, weather, elevation, climate-control use, and driving style.

Which driving conditions make up most of your journeys, and what consumption do you usually see in your Tesla? Let us know in the comments!