Preparing for road trip

[FloridaMan655321]

Here is what I do when planning for a trip, and in fact I just did this for a 700 mile trip coming up soon. Not as long of course, but still the same can be done.

From my desktop, I use the Plugshare website to start a trip (free) and adjust how many miles you want to drive between charging. This is helpful because then I'll open Google Maps on another monitor (dual monitors) to look at what is around the chargers I'm thinking I'll charge at. This is helpful to find out what is a good place to charge. Sometimes a Supercharger is near a Buc-ee's and other times it's on the backside of a hotel. I certainly can waste 20 minutes in a Buc-ee's, but it will feel like an hour if I'm looking at the back side of a hotel.

I save each location in (Apple) Notes so I have each address listed with a screenshot from Plugshare. This way I can easily click on the address and have that as my next destination for (Apple) Maps. Example....

I will then look for backups at each location and make note just in case something doesn't go well. I will also create another option for the route for if I want to drive shorter stops, so I have another option just in case I am getting better or worse m/kw.

It may be obvious, but utilize the frunk. I put all our luggage in the frunk, then a cooler or something we might want to access during the drive in the cab. This sounds obvious, but the frunk is so damn nice to keep the cab empty - especially if the wife wants to buy stuff .

Hope this helps. I really think if you plan ahead, you really only need Google/Apple Maps to get you to each charging location. As you'll be doing a long trip, you can adjust your options at each overnight stop. A little work ahead will mean zero work/stress during the drive.

Hopefully this helps and good luck!

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[RLXXI]

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

Hi poli, I'm an old man and math is my best subject.

 

[queuewho]

From my desktop, I use the Plugshare website to start a trip (free) and adjust how many miles you want to drive between charging. This is helpful because then I'll open Google Maps on another monitor (dual monitors) to look at what is around the chargers I'm thinking I'll charge at.

This is what I do as well, but I take an extra step of making a spreadsheet I can print with exit numbers. I wish plugshare just had an export feature of all chargers that meet my filters within 1 mile of exits along my route.

As for ABRP and the built in nav, Google, etc, all greatly under-estimate my SR's range. I have tried customizing ABRP like crazy and it just can't plan a realistic trip for me. If I had to stop as much as those tools think, there's no way I'd own this vehicle.

 

[RickLightning]

ABRP works great for me, adjusting efficiency works easily.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

This is what I do as well, but I take an extra step of making a spreadsheet I can print with exit numbers. I wish plugshare just had an export feature of all chargers that meet my filters within 1 mile of exits along my route.

As for ABRP and the built in nav, Google, etc, all greatly under-estimate my SR's range. I have tried customizing ABRP like crazy and it just can't plan a realistic trip for me. If I had to stop as much as those tools think, there's no way I'd own this vehicle.

Same.
I don't use abrp for planning, just for a general idea of charging options. It's so conservative it would add hours to a 2000 mile road trip. It also relies too heavily on brand T chargers. It would take me out of the way to an SC rather than use another brand. But the worst is that it doesn't (didn't last time I checked) have an option for setting a daily drive limit. And it doesn't easily enable overnight stays and L2 charging to 100%.

 

[Dan C]

Planning is everything. The only thing that I would suggest that if you find a charger that works very well, go ahead and charge to 80 or 85% even if your app says you dont need it. The next charger may not work as well. If it does it will be a short stop. I always assume problems with chargers or headwinds.

 

[Newfoundland]

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?

Agree with ricklightning, and ALSO make sure to sign up and use the Tesla app to know which locations will allow you to use your adapter. NOT ALL DO. I found this out on a recent road trip and was fortunate enough there was an alternative Tesla charger nearby. The app will show you which are available to your non tesla vehicle.

 

[Joe Dablock]

One last thing, on long new territory trips, I have taken a road map and color code marked Tesla and EA charger locations. So, as things evolve, you can glance at the map to make changes on the fly. The map will not replace the Aps but just provides a big picture that includes only what is important to you to make decisions on the fly!

 

[Rayden]

This has been a great help for me! As a new Lightning owner and it being my first EV, I feel like there's just a ton of stuff that I don't know. I do a trip from the panhandle of Florida to the Outer Banks of North Carolina every year in the spring. Fortunately, the friend that always goes with me is a Tesla guy. He and his wife have traveled the US a few times in it, so he's well acquainted with everything about EV traveling. He normally functions as the Navigator, so I suspect there's going to be a bit of a learning curve for us in the Ford vs his norm of the Tesla.

 

[TaxmanHog]

He and his wife have traveled the US a few times in it, so he's well acquainted with everything about EV traveling. He normally functions as the Navigator, so I suspect there's going to be a bit of a learning curve for us in the Ford vs his norm of the Tesla.

Make sure he configures his own Tesla App to filter for Tesla stations that are compatible with your Lightning as you make the journey.

 

[Adventureboy]

Is the BMS drift on DCFC still a thing?

Yes, BMS drift on DCFC (on any charger, really) if you only take the SOC to 80% for too many cycles on both LFP and NMC battery chemistries. It's easy to manage. Just charge to 100% periodically with a decent L2 EVSE and the BMS resets itself. Make sure you let it get to 100% before unplugging so it has the time to balance all the cells. It can take a few hours at 99% if the cells/modules are a bit out of sync.

 

[SFsparkie]

I have used similar methods planning my trip routs and agree with their success. Along with charging adaptors I always bring the following supplies because many charging facilities lack the essentials (even a garbage can) that are at gas stations: paper towels, windex (or RainX), squeegee, bug remover, windshield washer fluid appropriate for the expected temperatures, & funnel. And if appropriate: chains, ice scraper and snow brush.

 

[KSkel]

Be sure to turn off plug & charge so you get that membership pricing and use the Tesla EA app to start charging

 

[Wendy]

Chains ? I read in the manual that you can’t use them on a lightning. I have them anyway to get past the State Payroll (must carry) when required.
My list, change the oil, check the brake pads, make sure the clamp on the exhaust pipe is tight, check air filter is clean or tap it out. Oh, wait, that is the list from my old Saab! All the things I don’t need to do anymore!

Just returned from Whistler, 200 miles each way. Used 65% on the way there, found a plug in the garage and added just over 50% over 4 days of being parked there, used 60% coming home (apparently South IS downhill just like on a map). Still haven’t used my Tesla Adapter.

 

[Sam_oceans]

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.

I have driven to Florida three times from Ottawa, Ontario in my Tesla Y - Long Range. Will be doing same trip in my 2023 Ford Lightning this coming Christmas. From items affecting

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.

Affecting EV range 1. Driver's Speed 2. WEIGHT 3.Elevation Climbs
4. Headwinds

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