TenaciousG77
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I had the opportunity to take the truck on its first long trip. It was just me, so I didn't have to worry about my wife or kids in the event of any trouble (there wasn't). I also got lucky with the weather, both temperature and wind (more details below). Overall, the trip went smoothly. Since I was driving during the week, I'm guessing that helped with charger availability, and I was impressed with the options available on my route. I used charging time for restroom breaks and eat lunch or snacks, but didn't hang around once I was satisfied with the SOC. With two young kids, I'm used to taking our time on road trips, so this didn't feel any different from other longer road trips we've taken.
Trip Details: Metro Denver to Metro Salt Lake City and back
Denver to SLC
Route: I-70 to U.S. 40 to I-15
Distance: 495 miles
Drive time/total time: 8:44/9:50
Efficiency: 2.5 mi/kWh
Speed: Cruise control set to 67 on long stretches, slowed down to 35-55 when passing through small towns.
Notes: Elevation starts at close to 6,000 and peaks around 9,400 (Rabbit Ears Pass). Plenty of rolling hills along the way, and it was nice to take advantage of regen braking on the steeper descents. Got down to 23F in one of the valleys before Rabbit Ears Pass. I went as long as possible without using the heater, but eventually had to turn it on to thaw out my toes, but only used it for about 30 min. Most of this route is U.S. 40, meaning you have to slow down in some small towns and others have stop lights. I charged at ChargePoint ($0.40/kWh) in Craig, CO, and EA ($0.45/kWh) in Vernal, UT. Both worked as advertised, and I had the charging stations all to myself at both. Took a hit on efficiency as I got closer to and drove through SLC and had to keep up with traffic at 70 mph.
SLC to Denver
Route: I-84 to I-80 to I-25
Distance: 508 miles
Drive time/total time: 8:00/8:45
Efficiency: 2.4 mi/kWh
Speed: Cruise control set to 70-73 (variable speed limit on I-80)
Notes: My original plan was to return using the same route I took to SLC, but snow in the Rockies and a 30+ mph wind out of the west on I-80 forced me to pivot. Elevation starts around 4,500 and builds gradually to 8,000 throughout Wyoming before descending back down to 6,000 where we live. I got lots of "what are you doing" looks from others on I-80 since I was cruising at 70-73 in areas where the speed limit is 75-80. The tailwind was the main reason I took I-80 and its obvious effect on efficiency, but I was OK trading some mph for better mi/kWh. Charging was more expensive ($0.60-$0.64/kWh) but readily available.
Trip Details: Metro Denver to Metro Salt Lake City and back
Denver to SLC
Route: I-70 to U.S. 40 to I-15
Distance: 495 miles
Drive time/total time: 8:44/9:50
Efficiency: 2.5 mi/kWh
Speed: Cruise control set to 67 on long stretches, slowed down to 35-55 when passing through small towns.
Notes: Elevation starts at close to 6,000 and peaks around 9,400 (Rabbit Ears Pass). Plenty of rolling hills along the way, and it was nice to take advantage of regen braking on the steeper descents. Got down to 23F in one of the valleys before Rabbit Ears Pass. I went as long as possible without using the heater, but eventually had to turn it on to thaw out my toes, but only used it for about 30 min. Most of this route is U.S. 40, meaning you have to slow down in some small towns and others have stop lights. I charged at ChargePoint ($0.40/kWh) in Craig, CO, and EA ($0.45/kWh) in Vernal, UT. Both worked as advertised, and I had the charging stations all to myself at both. Took a hit on efficiency as I got closer to and drove through SLC and had to keep up with traffic at 70 mph.
SLC to Denver
Route: I-84 to I-80 to I-25
Distance: 508 miles
Drive time/total time: 8:00/8:45
Efficiency: 2.4 mi/kWh
Speed: Cruise control set to 70-73 (variable speed limit on I-80)
Notes: My original plan was to return using the same route I took to SLC, but snow in the Rockies and a 30+ mph wind out of the west on I-80 forced me to pivot. Elevation starts around 4,500 and builds gradually to 8,000 throughout Wyoming before descending back down to 6,000 where we live. I got lots of "what are you doing" looks from others on I-80 since I was cruising at 70-73 in areas where the speed limit is 75-80. The tailwind was the main reason I took I-80 and its obvious effect on efficiency, but I was OK trading some mph for better mi/kWh. Charging was more expensive ($0.60-$0.64/kWh) but readily available.
Sponsored
. I've done this exact trip and a slight variation by going I-70 to Green River UT then 191 north to SLC and 84 to Portland. I drove the Pro SR and used subscriptions on both EA and Tesla. Traveling at night a few of the Tesla stations drop the price to $.20. The problem with going through WY and for much of I-80 to Reno is that EA had been the only choice until recently when Flying J truck stops brought in EvGo, but at $.69. Ionna stations going I-70 east from Denver rivals Tesla in price and reliability.
