Myrtle trip

[jcraig]

This is my first trip with my 2025 lightning flash. I am traveling from Pittsburgh to Myrtle beach and plan to travel down departing around 1am. There will be four of us and bed and frunk loaded with luggage. I need advice on planning charging. How much less mileage can i expect due to weight if any? Should i only charge to 80% to save time at each charge? What app or system should i use to navigate ? I have an iphone. The ford finder doesn’t show tesla charging which i have used locally. I have concerns about finding chargers when i get to the “rural” areas closer to Myrtle. Anyone made this run or have an easy method for navigating without worrying the entire trip? Once again i am new to any travel charging. Thanks

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[ClevelandBeemer]

Good questions. A few things to think about.

First, if you don’t have one, purchase a NACS to CCS1 adapter. This will significantly increase your charging options.

Second, I recommend using ABRP (A Better Route Planner, to plan your charging stops. This will help remove a TON of anxiety regarding charging stops and what to expect. You can also use ABRP as your actual navigation via CarPlay, but I only recommend doing this is you purchase a dongle that can give the app your real time efficiency.

A few setting recommendations for ABRP: My 65mph reference consumption is 2.47 mi/kwh. I also set my maximum speed to 80mph but I tell the app my relative speed is 107%. This basically tells the app that I do about 5mph over the speed limit.

I also recommend telling ABRP that Ionna is your preferred charging network. They have the highest quality and some of the least expensive DC fast charging stations in the USA. If ABRP recommends Tesla stations, keep in mind that the 250kw stations will require you get VERY close to the post and will potentially have to take up 2 spaces in order for the cable to reach. The Tesla 325kw stations are MUCH better with significantly longer cables that don’t require you to take up 2 spots in order for the cable to reach.

Third: Your 2025 should show Tesla stations. You may need to select the NACS adapter option for them to appear. If you don’t have this option, look at your software updates as you likely have several.

Fourth: When looking for charging stations near where you’re staying, apps like PlugShare are very helpful.

Fifth: As for your actual charging behavior. Before departing, charge to 100% so you leave home with the most range possible. While on the road I HIGHLY recommend limiting DC fast charging to 80%. Charging speeds reduce significantly above 80%. More often than not, ABRP will recommend that you only charge to 60 to 70% in order to maximize the Lightnings charging curve.

 

[The Weatherman]

ABRP- is your friend for planning. Search for it on iOS App Store or Android App source.

Shouldn’t much if any range degradation with your payload.

 

[DavidS]

What everyone else has said. Things like roof racks and bicycles on hitch racks will have much more impact on range. (As much as 10-30%). If you have an iPhone, Apple Maps can also be set up to pair with your Lightning and provide charging points. ABRP is probably best for initial route planning, but for live route planning, a dongle is almost required. Without a dongle for instance, ABRP always assumes the same initial state of charge and if you leave with less than that you could end up stranded.
The OBDlink CX is what I use. $80 on Amazon. As a bonus you can use it with Carscanner to do vehicle diagnostics.

 

[carys98]

A couple of years ago there were no chargers in Myrtle. That has improved drastically since then. There are a couple of Tesla stations, a V4 near Conway and a V3 at the Crooked Hammock Brewery (a pretty good restaurant) at Barefoot Landing. There is also an Electrify America at the mall and a couple of Circle K stores with chargers. Coming down I95 there are plenty of options and there are chargers near whichever exit you take to head to Myrtle. If you get off in Lumberton there is a Tesla station at a Mexican restaurant at Exit 17. If you stay on 95 there is another Tesla station near Oak Grove or you can go to the Buc-EEs in Florence with both Tesla and Mercedes chargers.

 

[RickLightning]

Buy the A2Z Typhoon Pro for Tesla SuperChargers unless you have one. https://a2zevshop.com/products/nacs-ccs1?ref=Typhoon&variant=43186507579592


Buy the A2Z Stellar adapter for Tesla Destination chargers. https://a2zev.com/products/nacs-j1772-stellar?ref=Typhoon

Code FORDFORUM.

Use ABRP to plan trip on desktop. You can add passenger and luggage weight, but it barely makes a difference.

Use PlugShare to check each charger.

Sign up for Tesla membership morning of trip to get 25 - 30% discount. Immediately downgrade which takes effect in 30 days. Initiate chargers in Tesla app, then plug in when it says to.

Cake walk trip.

 

[Joe Dablock]

I just made that similar drive from Pittsburgh to Savannah Ga. Just make sure you got a full charge before entering WV, and make sure you have a Tesla adapter. I color code mark a map with all the Tesla and EA chargers. Also, make sure you have the Tesla and EA AP (and any other AP) on you I phone.

There are a lot of chargers along the Interstate 95 corridor.

 

[Mal106]

Be careful of the Tesla charger at Berefoot Landing in Myrtle. Great location with lots to do but the last time I was there, I actually had to push the front of the truck into the bushes to get the cord to reach. Take an old blanket to protect the front end from scratching.

 

[RickLightning]

Be careful of the Tesla charger at Berefoot Landing in Myrtle. Great location with lots to do but the last time I was there, I actually had to push the front of the truck into the bushes to get the cord to reach. Take an old blanket to protect the front end from scratching.

Simply go to one of the stalls without bushes (PlugShare shows some in the pics), or park sideways. No reason to nose into bushes, ruining them or your truck.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/522886

 

[Mal106]

Every time I charged there, I had no choice. I'll take your word for it if you've been there recently.

 

[DavidS]

I just made that similar drive from Pittsburgh to Savannah Ga. Just make sure you got a full charge before entering WV, and make sure you have a Tesla adapter. I color code mark a map with all the Tesla and EA chargers. Also, make sure you have the Tesla and EA AP (and any other AP) on you I phone.

There are a lot of chargers along the Interstate 95 corridor.

WV has made amazing progress in the last 12 months with installing charging stations. There’s still a few gaps but the major routes are covered. This is drastically different than three years ago when even with a Tesla you needed to fully charge before entering and then watch your speed.

 

[RickLightning]

Every time I charged there, I had no choice. I'll take your word for it if you've been there recently.

Looks like the PlugShare pics are older.

I would simply park sideways then, not nosing my vehicle into a bush.

 

[Mal106]

Sideways would take 4 chargers, you would be quite unpopular not to mention blocked in if one got in use behind you. There is a solution but it involves a chain saw.

 

[RickLightning]

Sideways would take 4 chargers, you would be quite unpopular not to mention blocked in if one got in use behind you. There is a solution but it involves a chain saw.

I'm pretty confident that I could pull in the left most spot, curve right, and take 2 spaces and be all set.

 

[DavidS]

Or just use the V4 or EA chargers instead on 501 between Conway and Myrtle Beach?
ABRP recommends the western route which is shorter and more scenic. Despite what ABRP recommends for charging levels at each stop. Charging to 80% is almost always optimal because that’s where fast charging ends and you have the most flexibility in choosing where you stop next.

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