7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning

Charge_Rob · Monday at 7:51 AM

National Parks + EVs have always seemed like a perfect pairing to me. Earlier this year, I did a road trip from Michigan down to Big Bend in Texas, but for this summer's road trip I decided to go west to see the Spruce Goose in Oregon, and of course check out some new national parks along the way. Among those new parks: Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic. I also got to revisit Redwood and Zion along the way.

The route (pins are charge locations):

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293163273-10

Some stats:

7,664 miles driven
2.0 miles/kWh average (headwind across North Dakota and Montana hurt the average)
50 DC Fast Charges adding 3,165 kWh(90% BlueOval Charge Network)
- 22 Electrify America (0 issues)
- 11 Tesla (3 issues)
- 5 ChargePoint (0 issues)
- 5 EVgo (1 issues)
- 2 Rivian Adventure Network (0 issues)
- 1 Ford Charge (0 issues)
- 1 EVCS (0 issues)
- 1 Circle K (0 issues)
- 1 Rove (0 issues)
Assorted AC Destination Charging added 578 kWh

As someone who was burned on Electrify America charging in the past, I have been reluctant to charge with them until recently, but even then this trip blew me away with their reliability - the only large network I used on this trip with zero issues at all. Many locations along the route have been recently upgraded to their new chargers, but even the old chargers all worked, full speed, first try. Only hiccups were with Tesla and EVgo.

Road Trip:

The headwinds across North Dakota and Montana were intense coupled with the 80 mph speed limits. Luckily, the F-150 Lightning comes with its own windsock

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293554205-ua

Enchanted Highway in North Dakota:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293578915-he

After a thunderstorm in Glacier NP:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751294305521-f

Above the clouds in Mt. Rainier NP:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293875329-5a

Where the magic (cheese) happens in Tillamook, OR:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293734298-nl

Stopping to see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville, OR:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293684423-1o

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751295135475-2u

Had to stop and get a picture with my Michigan truck and the Golden Gate!

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293704081-hk

A quick detour in to Zion NP:

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293634987-l1

Charging:

The first time I used EA's Baker hub, I was the only EV there. This time it was a full house! But even then, I never had to wait for a plug anywhere along the route.

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293326032-29

Got to check out Rove's charging hub in LA with an on-site carwash, vacuums, lounge, and grocery store. Would love to see more of these.

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning 1751293393772-v1

I finished this road trip more covinced than ever that electric road trips are amazing, and I already can't wait for the next chance I get to take another.

jlferg0509 · Monday at 8:11 AM

Fantastic report, thanks for sharing.

It's good to see how far the infrastructure of the charging network has come in the last two years. Really good to see the non-issue report on Electrify America, only because I tend to use the as my primary, followed by Tesla, then ChargePoint. Much like your listing above, EVGo is fourth place due to the pricing model...

MidAtlanticLightningClub · Monday at 8:19 AM

Charge_Rob said:
National Parks + EVs have always seemed like a perfect pairing to me. Earlier this year, I did a road trip from Michigan down to Big Bend in Texas, but for this summer's road trip I decided to go west to see the Spruce Goose in Oregon, and of course check out some new national parks along the way. Among those new parks: Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic. I also got to revisit Redwood and Zion along the way.

The route (pins are charge locations):

Some stats:

7,664 miles driven

2.0 miles/kWh average (headwind across North Dakota and Montana hurt the average)

50 DC Fast Charges adding 3,165 kWh(90% BlueOval Charge Network)

22 Electrify America (0 issues)

11 Tesla (3 issues)

5 ChargePoint (0 issues)

5 EVgo (1 issues)

2 Rivian Adventure Network (0 issues)

1 Ford Charge (0 issues)

1 EVCS (0 issues)

1 Circle K (0 issues)

1 Rove (0 issues)

Assorted AC Destination Charging added 578 kWh

As someone who was burned on Electrify America charging in the past, I have been reluctant to charge with them until recently, but even then this trip blew me away with their reliability - the only large network I used on this trip with zero issues at all. Many locations along the route have been recently upgraded to their new chargers, but even the old chargers all worked, full speed, first try. Only hiccups were with Tesla and EVgo.

Road Trip:

The headwinds across North Dakota and Montana were intense coupled with the 80 mph speed limits. Luckily, the F-150 Lightning comes with its own windsock

Enchanted Highway in North Dakota:

After a thunderstorm in Glacier NP:

Above the clouds in Mt. Rainier NP:

Where the magic (cheese) happens in Tillamook, OR:

Stopping to see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville, OR:

Had to stop and get a picture with my Michigan truck and the Golden Gate!

A quick detour in to Zion NP:

Charging:

The first time I used EA's Baker hub, I was the only EV there. This time it was a full house! But even then, I never had to wait for a plug anywhere along the route.

Got to check out Rove's charging hub in LA with an on-site carwash, vacuums, lounge, and grocery store. Would love to see more of these.

I finished this road trip more covinced than ever that electric road trips are amazing, and I already can't wait for the next chance I get to take another.

Awesome report, Rob!

Timeless Epoch · Monday at 11:13 AM

What fun!

Also, when I make chili, I always shred fresh Tillamook sharp cheddar.

MaintGrl · Monday at 11:18 AM

Charge_Rob said:
National Parks + EVs have always seemed like a perfect pairing to me. Earlier this year, I did a road trip from Michigan down to Big Bend in Texas, but for this summer's road trip I decided to go west to see the Spruce Goose in Oregon, and of course check out some new national parks along the way. Among those new parks: Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic. I also got to revisit Redwood and Zion along the way.

The route (pins are charge locations):

Some stats:

7,664 miles driven

2.0 miles/kWh average (headwind across North Dakota and Montana hurt the average)

50 DC Fast Charges adding 3,165 kWh(90% BlueOval Charge Network)

22 Electrify America (0 issues)

11 Tesla (3 issues)

5 ChargePoint (0 issues)

5 EVgo (1 issues)

2 Rivian Adventure Network (0 issues)

1 Ford Charge (0 issues)

1 EVCS (0 issues)

1 Circle K (0 issues)

1 Rove (0 issues)

Assorted AC Destination Charging added 578 kWh

As someone who was burned on Electrify America charging in the past, I have been reluctant to charge with them until recently, but even then this trip blew me away with their reliability - the only large network I used on this trip with zero issues at all. Many locations along the route have been recently upgraded to their new chargers, but even the old chargers all worked, full speed, first try. Only hiccups were with Tesla and EVgo.

Road Trip:

The headwinds across North Dakota and Montana were intense coupled with the 80 mph speed limits. Luckily, the F-150 Lightning comes with its own windsock

Enchanted Highway in North Dakota:

After a thunderstorm in Glacier NP:

Above the clouds in Mt. Rainier NP:

Where the magic (cheese) happens in Tillamook, OR:

Stopping to see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville, OR:

Had to stop and get a picture with my Michigan truck and the Golden Gate!

A quick detour in to Zion NP:

Charging:

The first time I used EA's Baker hub, I was the only EV there. This time it was a full house! But even then, I never had to wait for a plug anywhere along the route.

Got to check out Rove's charging hub in LA with an on-site carwash, vacuums, lounge, and grocery store. Would love to see more of these.

I finished this road trip more convinced than ever that electric road trips are amazing, and I already can't wait for the next chance I get to take another.

I am so'ooo envious. I have a lil farm, so, there is NO sleeping in and . . NO VACATIONS. I love seeing the travels and what my truck is capable of doing, even if I'm NOT the one able to do it. Keep up the travels, I appreciate the captions and descriptions. Thank you....

Highpi · Monday at 12:39 PM

Ford should do a little documentary or commercial about your trip. It might help dispel a lot of the fluff about not being able to leave the neighborhood without charging.

It sounds like it was an incredible trip!

Mal106 · Monday at 12:52 PM

Nice! Incidentally, I flew the F106 there at the museum. It was stationed at Langley VA rather than Griffis NY as the tail flash, Flash? would indicate. The F14 and MiG 29 really "spruce" up the museum. Thanks for sharing that.

Nikos · Tuesday at 4:07 AM

Charge_Rob said:
National Parks + EVs have always seemed like a perfect pairing to me. Earlier this year, I did a road trip from Michigan down to Big Bend in Texas, but for this summer's road trip I decided to go west to see the Spruce Goose in Oregon, and of course check out some new national parks along the way. Among those new parks: Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic. I also got to revisit Redwood and Zion along the way.

The route (pins are charge locations):

Some stats:

7,664 miles driven

2.0 miles/kWh average (headwind across North Dakota and Montana hurt the average)

50 DC Fast Charges adding 3,165 kWh(90% BlueOval Charge Network)

22 Electrify America (0 issues)

11 Tesla (3 issues)

5 ChargePoint (0 issues)

5 EVgo (1 issues)

2 Rivian Adventure Network (0 issues)

1 Ford Charge (0 issues)

1 EVCS (0 issues)

1 Circle K (0 issues)

1 Rove (0 issues)

Assorted AC Destination Charging added 578 kWh

As someone who was burned on Electrify America charging in the past, I have been reluctant to charge with them until recently, but even then this trip blew me away with their reliability - the only large network I used on this trip with zero issues at all. Many locations along the route have been recently upgraded to their new chargers, but even the old chargers all worked, full speed, first try. Only hiccups were with Tesla and EVgo.

Road Trip:

The headwinds across North Dakota and Montana were intense coupled with the 80 mph speed limits. Luckily, the F-150 Lightning comes with its own windsock

Enchanted Highway in North Dakota:

After a thunderstorm in Glacier NP:

Above the clouds in Mt. Rainier NP:

Where the magic (cheese) happens in Tillamook, OR:

Stopping to see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville, OR:

Had to stop and get a picture with my Michigan truck and the Golden Gate!

A quick detour in to Zion NP:

Charging:

The first time I used EA's Baker hub, I was the only EV there. This time it was a full house! But even then, I never had to wait for a plug anywhere along the route.

Got to check out Rove's charging hub in LA with an on-site carwash, vacuums, lounge, and grocery store. Would love to see more of these.

I finished this road trip more covinced than ever that electric road trips are amazing, and I already can't wait for the next chance I get to take another.

Awesome, Wonderful, Courageous and a lot of envy. This is what I am looking forward to be doing soon.
I noticed that headwind. I replaced my whip antenna with a short semi flexible one.
Good luck on your future endeavors.

NW Ontario Ford Lightning · Tuesday at 6:50 AM

Really great to see the travel was not an issue across the Vast NW plains.
if the trip was done in the reverse order driving East from Montana to ND those head-winds would have been tail-winds and assisted ya?!

Evans · Tuesday at 7:23 AM

I’m currently doing the northern part of your loop from Seattle to Yellowstone and back. Slight detour up along the Columbia River near Colville WA where a new Flo charging station just came on line a few weeks ago. BougeRV mini fridge, electric tea kettle and induction cooktop. Pro power for the win. The adventure awaits.

Ford F-150 Lightning 7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning IMG_5294

MaintGrl · Tuesday at 8:03 AM

Evans said:
I’m currently doing the northern part of your loop from Seattle to Yellowstone and back. Slight detour up along the Columbia River near Colville WA where a new Flo charging station just came on line a few weeks ago. BougeRV mini fridge, electric tea kettle and induction cooktop. Pro power for the win. The adventure awaits.

Oh, It looks so beautiful, and peacefully quiet. I can hear the birds chirping from here.

Ricks Lightning · Tuesday at 8:46 AM

1984 our plumbing graduation was held in the hanger of the Spruce Goose when it was in Long Beach, Calif..
Since the union was tight with the people that ran the display. We actually got to board the goose and walk around inside.

Not sure if they allow that anymore.

Rick

On the Road with Ralph · Tuesday at 10:13 AM

Charge_Rob said:
50 DC Fast Charges adding 3,165 kWh(90% BlueOval Charge Network)

Wow. The modest convenience of plug-and-charge only added $400 (3165*.9*.14) to your energy cost on this trip. I've done 14 road trips of 1500+ miles in my Lightning; I am too frugal to pay that extra 25% when DC fast charging.

1984 our plumbing graduation was held in the hanger of the Spruce Goose when it was in Long Beach, Calif.. Since the union was tight with the people that ran the display. We actually got to board the goose and walk around inside.

I remember when the Spruce Goose was in Long Beach and going inside it. I think its internals were as impressive as its sheer size.

Charge_Rob · Tuesday at 10:29 AM

On the Road with Ralph said:
Wow. The modest convenience of plug-and-charge only added $400 (3165*.9*.14) to your energy cost on this trip. I've done 14 road trips of 1500+ miles in my Lightning; I am too frugal to pay that extra 25% when DC fast charging.

BlueOval Charge Network is more than just Plug & Charge, and doesn't add any cost vs. paying directly with the provider - unless you're referring to purchasing discount memberships with providers, which is different still. With the majority of BlueOval Charge Network partner networks there's no reason not to use FordPass to pay.

On the Road with Ralph · Tuesday at 10:36 AM

Charge_Rob said:
unless you're referring to purchasing discount memberships with providers,

That is EXACTLY what I am referencing. For about $20 in membership costs (and starting each charge with an app), roughly $400 could have been saved. That is clearly not an issue for you. Great. Everybody's cost/benefit tolerance is different. But it would drive me crazy.

Cool trip, though...

7,600 Miles, 7 National Parks, 1 Spruce Goose with my F-150 Lightning

Charge_Rob

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