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Jseis
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A Better RP gets my vote. Use it on most trips over 200 miles, several at 800+.
FloridaMan655321
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What I do is use Plugshare to create a trip from the desktop, then take notes with Apple Notes on where to stop (I'm sure Google has something similar). I also make notes of backup locations. While doing this I also have another window with Google Maps/Earth to check out the area for something I might want to stop at, say a nice coffee shop that is in walking distance. Then during travel time, I have these addresses loaded up in Notes and just start heading to each destination with Apple (or Google) Maps as my navigation.
Probably too much work, but I also make a second or third option for a trip. So lets say I end up stopping at something like a Buc-ees and charge longer than a normal stop-and-restroom. This way I have multiple options for a trip pending on where / when I stop. I also don't really wait for charging. I just stop whenever I need to use the restroom, stretch a little, then keep going. I normally plan to stop every 150 miles or so (as I'm using drinking coffee and can't hold it *that* long anymore).
Probably too much work, but I also make a second or third option for a trip. So lets say I end up stopping at something like a Buc-ees and charge longer than a normal stop-and-restroom. This way I have multiple options for a trip pending on where / when I stop. I also don't really wait for charging. I just stop whenever I need to use the restroom, stretch a little, then keep going. I normally plan to stop every 150 miles or so (as I'm using drinking coffee and can't hold it *that* long anymore).
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bc1
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ABRP is good for laying out the trip and using tesla superchargers as the prefered. Join Tesla for a month and quickly cancel the reoccurring monthly card charge to get the low Tesla rates.
I just did your trip in the Tesla app using a Model Y with a 294 mile range. It has first stop at Italy, Tx for 15 min. charge, 2nd stop at Denison, Tx for a 15 min. charge, 3rd stop at Henryetta, OK for a 25 min charge, and final stop at Joplin, Mo on highway 43 for a 10 min charge. Trip is 633 miles for 11 hours 27 minutes. I would charge longer than their minimum 15 but go to 80 to 85% or so. Tesla monthly charge is around 13 bux and their charge is then reduced to around .36 or so per kwh instead of the .56 or more others have. The Tesla app has a place where you can search for chargers near you and find the exact street address that you can put into the ford navigation to get you right to the charger.
I just did your trip in the Tesla app using a Model Y with a 294 mile range. It has first stop at Italy, Tx for 15 min. charge, 2nd stop at Denison, Tx for a 15 min. charge, 3rd stop at Henryetta, OK for a 25 min charge, and final stop at Joplin, Mo on highway 43 for a 10 min charge. Trip is 633 miles for 11 hours 27 minutes. I would charge longer than their minimum 15 but go to 80 to 85% or so. Tesla monthly charge is around 13 bux and their charge is then reduced to around .36 or so per kwh instead of the .56 or more others have. The Tesla app has a place where you can search for chargers near you and find the exact street address that you can put into the ford navigation to get you right to the charger.
Jamchampnate
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ABRP is the best. Just got an ODB connector and now it’s even better with live data. It’s the GOAT. I had Teslas does years and I think ABRP is better than that too. It’s very accurate with the live data.
RickLightning
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No adapter is needed with Android Auto.
FirstF150InCasco
Well-known member
I use two apps.
While driving, I use Waze for navigation. It’s by far the best app for providing up-to-the-minute info about seed traps, accidents, etc.
While planning I use the Tesla app. It will show ONLY the SuperChargers that are open to Fords. And it too will provide up-to-the-minute info about the status of the stations.
While driving, I use Waze for navigation. It’s by far the best app for providing up-to-the-minute info about seed traps, accidents, etc.
While planning I use the Tesla app. It will show ONLY the SuperChargers that are open to Fords. And it too will provide up-to-the-minute info about the status of the stations.
bc1
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I ran your trip using ABRP with Tesla superchargers as the preference. Start at 100%.
Red Oak, Tx. 19% to 70%. 29 min. I would go to 80-85 every time.
Denison, Tx. 30% to 77%. 30 min.
Henryetta, OK. 21% to 39%. 9 min.
Tulsa, OK. 20% - 69%. 28 min.
Joplin, Mo. - S. Main St. 20% - 41%. 11 min.
Springfield, Mo - Arrive with 10%.
Pick a motel with a charger that you can get a discount to for joining the charging companies' club for a month and not renewing.
This has extra stops over the Tesla app and still doesn't want you to get there on very much of a charge. My previous trip plan with Tesla app allowed for a round trip of almost the same except for the last leg to Austin.
I used ABRP in my phone on my trip to San Antonia for an over all idea. It also gave me exact street addresses for Tesla stations to put into ford navigation which was before I got android auto with google maps working.
Once I was on the ABRP app and ran the trip (and the same in Tesla), I just got on the open map search showing all available charging stations to pick the next one that I wanted to stop at based upon me charging to 80 - 85 - 90% at stops.
My trip to San Antonio had me charging in Austin both ways.
Next one north of that was always the Tesla chargers at Abbott Travel Center near Abbott, Tx on I35 south of Dallas. Want to go through Dallas on a full charge.
Next stop both ways was always the Tesla one at Gainesville at the little strip center with convenience store and road construction there.
Next stop going north I would get to Guthrie, Ok which is just north of I44. You may want to stop at Norman or Edmond before getting on I44.
My next trip to Dallas, will have Guthrie and Gainesville stops plus the motel in Dallas. If I was going to Austin, then I'd stop at Abbott Travel Center as you can eat there as well. The chargers are across from the fuel pumps and handy to everything unlike some of the other remote charging locations.
Red Oak, Tx. 19% to 70%. 29 min. I would go to 80-85 every time.
Denison, Tx. 30% to 77%. 30 min.
Henryetta, OK. 21% to 39%. 9 min.
Tulsa, OK. 20% - 69%. 28 min.
Joplin, Mo. - S. Main St. 20% - 41%. 11 min.
Springfield, Mo - Arrive with 10%.
Pick a motel with a charger that you can get a discount to for joining the charging companies' club for a month and not renewing.
This has extra stops over the Tesla app and still doesn't want you to get there on very much of a charge. My previous trip plan with Tesla app allowed for a round trip of almost the same except for the last leg to Austin.
I used ABRP in my phone on my trip to San Antonia for an over all idea. It also gave me exact street addresses for Tesla stations to put into ford navigation which was before I got android auto with google maps working.
Once I was on the ABRP app and ran the trip (and the same in Tesla), I just got on the open map search showing all available charging stations to pick the next one that I wanted to stop at based upon me charging to 80 - 85 - 90% at stops.
My trip to San Antonio had me charging in Austin both ways.
Next one north of that was always the Tesla chargers at Abbott Travel Center near Abbott, Tx on I35 south of Dallas. Want to go through Dallas on a full charge.
Next stop both ways was always the Tesla one at Gainesville at the little strip center with convenience store and road construction there.
Next stop going north I would get to Guthrie, Ok which is just north of I44. You may want to stop at Norman or Edmond before getting on I44.
My next trip to Dallas, will have Guthrie and Gainesville stops plus the motel in Dallas. If I was going to Austin, then I'd stop at Abbott Travel Center as you can eat there as well. The chargers are across from the fuel pumps and handy to everything unlike some of the other remote charging locations.
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RickLightning
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Neither of those apps allow you to PLAN a trip to my knowledge.
FirstF150InCasco
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I "plan" the trip by deciding the route (Waze) and deciding the stops (Tesla.) I then load the stops into Wayze. And go!
On the Road with Ralph
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Hard to believe it is 2026 and this question is still being asked.
Just last night I was looking at a 4200 mile trip that would take me through nearly 20 states and not once did I think about routing based on the presence of DCFC chargers. And I drive a standard range Lightning.
Side note: Part of this prospective spring trip goes into a desolate part of SE Utah and involves off-road travel through the Valley of the Gods. But because DCFC charging in the US has so improved in the last year or two, I’m never more than 100 miles from a charger, and usually far less.
For 80% or more of my travels, I just get in the truck, tell Apple Maps my destination, and drive. CarPlay keeps Maps informed of my SOC, and it takes into account speed, weather, and terrain - no dongle or subscription needed. My only complaint is that it can be annoyingly conservative, tho’ it is kinda fun to watch it converge in real time on the exact time and SOC at arrival.
As for Oklahoma, I have crossed that state in my Lightning more times than I can count and never had a problem, even three years ago when EA completely sucked and Frances wasn’t much better. Today, Tesla has expanded its number of sites and Walmart is opening locations in rural areas such as McAlester.
Take it from someone who has made 18 road trips of more than 1500 miles each in his Lightning: The truck is a wonderful cruising machine. And, more than ever, America is EV ready.
Just last night I was looking at a 4200 mile trip that would take me through nearly 20 states and not once did I think about routing based on the presence of DCFC chargers. And I drive a standard range Lightning.
Side note: Part of this prospective spring trip goes into a desolate part of SE Utah and involves off-road travel through the Valley of the Gods. But because DCFC charging in the US has so improved in the last year or two, I’m never more than 100 miles from a charger, and usually far less.
For 80% or more of my travels, I just get in the truck, tell Apple Maps my destination, and drive. CarPlay keeps Maps informed of my SOC, and it takes into account speed, weather, and terrain - no dongle or subscription needed. My only complaint is that it can be annoyingly conservative, tho’ it is kinda fun to watch it converge in real time on the exact time and SOC at arrival.
As for Oklahoma, I have crossed that state in my Lightning more times than I can count and never had a problem, even three years ago when EA completely sucked and Frances wasn’t much better. Today, Tesla has expanded its number of sites and Walmart is opening locations in rural areas such as McAlester.
Take it from someone who has made 18 road trips of more than 1500 miles each in his Lightning: The truck is a wonderful cruising machine. And, more than ever, America is EV ready.
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Joe Dablock
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Everything everyone said is good, but I also take a roadmap and color code Tesla and EA chargers ( or whatever you prefer) on the map, so at a glance I can make changes on the fly.
I once pulled into a charge location with 50 miles range remaining and the entire convenience store location was fenced in for remodeling. The next closest charger was 50 miles away! We made it driving 40mph, flashers on and A/C off. Not fun!
I once pulled into a charge location with 50 miles range remaining and the entire convenience store location was fenced in for remodeling. The next closest charger was 50 miles away! We made it driving 40mph, flashers on and A/C off. Not fun!
Wendy
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I used the Tesla App for a trip and every time I got to 80% it stopped and told me I was done. Is there a setting somewhere that won't let me go to 85/90 (assuming I am still eating my hamburger at the A&W next door) rather than stop? Note: I had Plug & Charge turned off so that it would do the payment via Tesla vs. Ford.
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