Preparing for road trip

[Bushwood CC]

I love road trips. We’ve driven across the country many times but this will be the first time not in an ICE vehicle. I know what to do to prep for that trip. What should I do to prep for a 4000 mile Lightning trip?

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[RickLightning]

Asked often. Use ABRP to plan your trip, and PlugShare to check every location in advance, and day of trip. ABRP takes your vehicle info (and that you have an adapter), and plans your trip.

Sign up for Tesla membership and/or EA membership, the morning of the trip, then immediately downgrade, which takes effect 30 days later. Tesla discount varies between 20 and 30%, EA is a fixed 25%. MUST use their apps for the discount, cannot use Plug and Charge or FordPass.

Look for hotels that have charging, ideally free, but run the numbers (don't pay $50 more for a hotel to get free charging for example).

With 3 charging stops, and arriving with a low battery, plan on about 20% additional time (which ABRP will show you).

If you don't have both a Tesla SuperCharger and a Tesla Destination Charger adapter, get them.
A2ZEV makes the Typhoon Pro adapter for Tesla SuperChargers. They also sell the Stellar adapter, which is for Tesla Destination chargers (such as hotels, private homes). I have both adapters and have used both many times. They work great. https://a2zevshop.com/products/nacs-ccs1?ref=Typhoon&variant=43186507579592

 

[21st Century Truck]

I love road trips. We’ve driven across the country many times but this will be the first time not in an ICE vehicle. I know what to do to prep for that trip. What should I do to prep for a 4000 mile Lightning trip?

I recommend:

- having a TeslaTap for unforeseen Tesla Destination (Level 2) charging occasions... even when eating lunch, as there are a bunch of these T. Destination charging points all over. I mean... free juice = free juice, right?
- having a normal CCS Level 2 charging cord for overnight locations where a 14-50 or other type of 240 Volt receptacle is available.
- having a Ford or Lectron DC Fast adapter for Tesla Superchargers, and an account on the Tesla charging app as most but not all Superchargers will allow non-Teslas to charge. The T app will show You which ones will work for You.
- being a member of both Tesla and Electrify America DC Fast charging plans ($7 for Tesla and $12 for Electrify America) as You start the long-distance trip. These memberships will save a LOT of $$$ on a long trip, and You can cancel both as soon as Your trip is over, through the end of that billing cycle. In my experience, about 4 or 5 full DC Fast charge-ups are the break-even point for these T and EA plan memberships.
- being aware that four road factors significantly affect EV range, to wit and in order of importance (in my cross-country EV experience): 1. driver's speed, 2. colder weather, 3. long elevation climbs, and 4. strong headwinds. Of these four, the 1st one is completely under the driver's control to adjust, as needed.

While driving, use the blue NAV range ring to gauge reachable distances, and NOT the dash "Guess-o-Meter" digital range, which unlike the blue range ring is always an estimate and often a misleading estimate at that.

Finally, try to charge when You sleep at night. Not always possible but sometimes, Level 2 charging points or NEMA 14-50 receptacles are available right there or very close by.

Best! Enjoy the trip. FYI - today the DC Fast charging is overall far, far better than even three years ago.

 

[RickLightning]

Tesla membership is $12.99 (and tax in CA apparently). Breakeven is about 100 - 120kWh, which is 1+ charge. EA breakeven is less than one charge from 20 to 80%.

 

[Randall Stephens]

Is the BMS drift on DCFC still a thing?

 

[hturnerfamily]

set expectations for everyone riding with you, and even for yourself, that managing a very, very long trip like this, over many days and nights, is going to be an exercise in using DC Fast Charger locations, and maybe even overnight hotel Level2 chargers, as your 'destinations' along the way...

I also think with the growth of DC Fast Chargers in the U.S., and now with the availability of Superchargers, you'll find the trip much easier, less-stressful, and more enjoyable versus just several years ago... especially with Plug-N-Charge.

Most of us who have made long trips will probably give you the same advice: don't push it...
meaning - let your charging locations not be so spread apart, in the effort the 'save time', that you fill your trip with undue pressure, and range/charge anxiety... when your estimated range falls below 100, people start to fret...

 

[Bushwood CC]

Thanks everyone! Great advice. Besides making sure my tires are properly inflated anything I should have checked on the truck?

 

[Brent@ANParts]

Definitely look up some RV campgrounds along your route (or adjust to include some). I've stopped at a couple in the past to get some emergency electricity, and they're usually happy to help for a few bucks. Make sure you have the right plugs for your charger, though!

 

[TaxmanHog]

Thanks everyone! Great advice. Besides making sure my tires are properly inflated anything I should have checked on the truck?

Fluids, windshield washer & coolant reservoir should be to checked.

 

[CD4TNF]

Pilot FlyingJ gas stations have some pretty good EVGo/GM chargers that are nice. Makes for a normal gas station stop. Those are making road trips feel more normal.


One other advice I have is practice fast charging close to home first. That way you get use to what the steps are. Learning while you're on the time pressure of "hurry up we got to get back on the road" is no fun. Each app basically has the same functions of adding credit card and starting charging. Practice makes perfect.

 

[RLXXI]

- being a member of both Tesla and Electrify America DC Fast charging plans ($7 for Tesla and $12 for Electrify America)

Ehh, you got the prices right but listed wrong, it's $7 for EA+ and $12.99 for Tesla.

 

[RLXXI]

Air up the tires if needed.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

You’ll get there faster by going 70-75 than by going 90. We’ve found that 72 mph is our sweet spot that all but eliminates any time differences between long road trips in an ICE and long road trips in our EVs. But we also have only very rarely eaten while driving and don’t like to sit for more than 2.5-3 hours at a time.

You don’t have to charge to 80% or 85% at every DCFC. Charge to the level that you know would get you to your second-preferred next charger. That is, your charge rate drops and you have another charger within the range of where you would stop again anyway, there’s not much point in staying on the charger.

Although EA’s screens suggest you plug in first, to get the member discount, you have to use the app to initiate the charge and then plug in.

Don’t dismiss L1 charging. If there’s a choice between no charging and L1 charging, it’s better to get 10-15 kWh overnight than to get none. Always get permission to use the plugs and it’s best to make sure there’s nothing else on the circuit.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I love road trips. We’ve driven across the country many times but this will be the first time not in an ICE vehicle. I know what to do to prep for that trip. What should I do to prep for a 4000 mile Lightning trip?

Some good advice already.

1) ABRP
2) PlugShare
3) Don’t go over 80, seriously it’s not worth it.
4) If you’re stopped, ideally you should be charging. Go the extra 10min to a bathroom with a charger.

Last bit more for sanity than time.

Overnight charging is your best friend, even if you have to pay for it. Anticipate 12-14 hours to fill from empty though. That means destination hotels are better than highway side hotels. Ie, take your time. Get there 6pm, plug in, shop, eat, explore, sleep, breakfast and full to go is much better than arriving at 1am, getting up at 7am ready to hit the road.

Non-Lightning specific, I personally prefer at night for my 1st leg (5pm to 1am). Efficiency is a little worse and it’s counter to what I just stated but I like to do the majority of my pushing (ie, DCFC) early on. Starting day 2, I like to take my time and I like to avoid fast charging mid day due to congestion and overheating. From day 2 on, I usually make do with overnight charging only. Enjoy the trip!

 

[21st Century Truck]

Ehh, you got the prices right but listed wrong, it's $7 for EA+ and $12.99 for Tesla.

O.K. I'm a poli sci / international relations major and math was never my strong suit

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