FloridaMan655321
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #1
I've taken a few trips around FL where I needed to charge once or twice, but this is the first long-ish trip where there was multiple charge points, and I'll share my experience and add in some non-important opinions.
Before leaving I utilized PlugShare on the desktop to take notes of different areas to charge along the way. Had a solid plan of attack, but didn't follow...
Friday
Plan was to leave Friday afternoon from SE Florida and hit Buc-ee's in Daytona, then get to Jacksonville for the night. Prior to leaving I charged the Lightning to 95%.
As we were traveling up I-95 my wife said she can't make it to Daytona as she drank her coffee too quick. Had her check for a Supercharger, there was one in Titusville, though I had to check the Ford app to make sure it was a DC Supercharger, and it was.
Location - 3055 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 53% -> 65%
Arrived - 2:29pm
Time - 5 minutes
What we did - Walked into Target and use the restroom
Notes - No waiting
Now this threw off my plan, but I knew there was a Buc-ee's in Saint Augustine, so that is where we went
Location - 200 World Commerce Pkwy, St Augustine, FL
Charger - Mercedes
Energy - 27% -> 70%
Arived - 4:36pm
Time - 28 minutes
What we did - Bathroom and had a brisket sandwich on the tailgate, also let the dog use the restroom
Notes - No waiting
I don't remember what % we ended up in Jacksonville, but I knew just north there was a Starbucks next to a Tesla SC, so that was the plan for the morning.
Saturday
Went to get some coffee
Location - 780 Nautica Dr, Jacksonville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 54% -> 80%
Arrived - 6:42am
Time - 15 minutes
What we did - Walked over to Starbucks, grabbed some coffee, by the time we got back it was at 80%
Notes - No waiting, just happened to be at 80%
Next plan was to hit up Pooler GA. Looked that there was a Publix there, so should have a clean bathroom.
Location - 439 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 29% -> 77%
Arrived - 8:45am
Time - 26 minutes
What we did - Went to Publix to use the bathroom, but on the way out we noticed a really nice coffee shop, Ground Of Grace Coffee (solid owners).
Notes - No waiting. This location wasn't the best as the SC's were at an abandoned fast food place, so a lot of trash around. Coffee shop made it worth it though.
I knew of a charge location near a Pilot, along with a backup at Cayce SC
Location - 3008 US-321, Cayce, SC
Charger - GM
Energy - 21% -> 80%
Arrived - 11:27am
Time - 35 minutes
What we did - Used the bathrooms, took the dog for a bit of a walk
Notes - It was around noon when we arrived, so we had been in the truck for quite a bit and I decided to walk the dog for a bit. We also ate some snacks that we brought. I guess technically we did wait at this location, but we were both ready to stretch (and so was the dog)
We were ready to stop again, and I wasn't sure if I could make it all the way, so stopped in Hendersonville NC
Location - 160 Coolridge St, Hendersonville, NC
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 29% -> 50%
Arrived - 2:37pm
Time - 9 minutes
What we did - Used the bathroom at Panera Bread, let the dog use the bathroom.
Notes - No waiting
Arrived at our cottage that had a destination tesla charger. Thankfully I had an adapter that worked great. So for the next few days we drove around each day and charged to 85% each night. Very nice having a charger at a place you stay.
After a few nights in Western NC, we decided to go to Charleston (Mount Pleasant) for a couple nights. I had a few options on where to stop, but I also wanted to scout out Dreher Island along the way.
Wednesday
Charged up to 95% the night before, on to Dreher Island Park. While on the way I really had to use the bathroom as the coffee was going through me. I just happened to find a charger at the exit for Dreher Island Park, so bonus.
Location - 2221 SC-773, Prosperity, SC
Charger - GM
Energy - 50% -> 72%
Arrived - 11:24am
Time - 12 minutes
What we did - Used the bathroom at Pilot, ate some leftover pizza (shout out to Blue Mountain Pizza) for brunch/lunch
Notes - No waiting. While we were eating a guy showed up with a diesel truck, looked over at us, then parked right next to us. We were the only ones charging, so not sure what point this made as there was multiple others available......
Bonus charge! We went on to Dreher Island Park and I really liked this place so wanted to walk around. Just happened to notice that Rivian had a free L2 charger
Location - Dreher Island Park, SC
Charger - Rivian
Energy - 65% -> 73%
Arrived - 12:09pm
Time - 32 minutes
What we did - walked around the park
Notes - No wait
Arrived to Mount Pleasant with 20% and luckily the Hyatt we stayed at was near a towncenter type place and had 4 L2 chargers, so I was able to charge here each night. Very nice bonus as they were free.
Friday
The way home actually went according to plan, so this will be somewhat short. Charged to 95% the night before. Loved the Ground of Grace Coffee Shop, so wanted to get here early
Location - 439 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 57% -> 80%
Arrived - 7:53am
Time - 16 minutes
What we did - Coffee / bathroom
Notes - No wait, just happened to be at 80% when disconnected
Figured I could get to St Augustine for more Buc-ee's
Location - 200 World Commerce Pkwy, St Augustine, FL
Charger - Mercedes
Energy - 21% -> 80%
Arrived - 10:42am
Time - 35 minutes
What we did - Explored Buc-ee's, bathroom, had brunch on the tailgate, walked the dog
Notes - No wait, just happened to be at 80%
Wasn't sure where I would charge after this, but while driving I wanted a coffee, and I knew Titusville had a Starbucks
Location - 3055 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 37% -> 69%
Arrived - 12:58pm
Time - 17 minutes
What we did - Bathroom / coffee
Notes - No wait
Ended up back at home with around 15%.
If you made it this far, I understand bailing as the following will be just my opinions/ramblings (even more than above).
My wife made multiple comments about how nice it was using the truck. We had all our luggage in frunk and this allowed us to put a 45qt Yeti cooler in the back to hold drinks and such. I grabbed a couple bags of ice at some point in NC and it was really nice having this cooler in the back throughout the week.
Wife also kept asking how much the truck had charged to and was always kind of surprised it was so much. She just bought a Tesla and she will be very happy when taking this on a trip at how quick it will be.
As you can see above, I barely waited at all. The one place I kind of did was at Cayce, SC, and even that wasn't really waiting any longer than we probably would have with an ICE vehicle. I never once sat in the truck to wait, and neither did my wife. And I'm really trying not to sound like 'that guy' where I'm acting like it wasn't a big deal. I have no issues complaining if it would have sucked and would be fine renting an ICE vehicle for future travels. I just didn't have a bad experience and neither did my wife.
While driving between NC and Charleston there wasn't a lot of traffic so I brought up the Ford map (on the truck, not phone). I was hoping this might show chargers, which it does, but it also shows L2 chargers and places to get gas. I'm assuming because it's the same software for ICE F150s? Just seems dumb to me. It should show all superchargers on the map while driving and would help for unplanned stops.
While on the interstate I saw a couple of the blue signs that tell you what food and gas that showed EV charger. I believe both were under the Pilot stations. As my trip didn't go as planned, it would be really nice if more signs told us where an EV charger was. I think Tesla should also do this. I know the software is supposed to handle all of this, but what about when you don't do things as the software tells you? It was just be handy to have this info along the interstates.
I used Apple Maps the whole way and I found there was a recent update (I think) that is very helpful. So as we know it's a bit conservative with it's prediction. From Pooler GA to St Augustine it wanted me to stop and charge, but I knew I could make it. I just left it alone and about an hour later it updated itself and removed the charge it wanted me to stop at. This was very very nice as I didn't have to end the route and start the route again while driving. Very nice update Apple.
Only took a couple pictures that included the Lightning
Park with the Rivian charger. Thank you SC / Rivian
Silent Hill foggy at Mount Mitchell
Before leaving I utilized PlugShare on the desktop to take notes of different areas to charge along the way. Had a solid plan of attack, but didn't follow...
Friday
Plan was to leave Friday afternoon from SE Florida and hit Buc-ee's in Daytona, then get to Jacksonville for the night. Prior to leaving I charged the Lightning to 95%.
As we were traveling up I-95 my wife said she can't make it to Daytona as she drank her coffee too quick. Had her check for a Supercharger, there was one in Titusville, though I had to check the Ford app to make sure it was a DC Supercharger, and it was.
Location - 3055 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 53% -> 65%
Arrived - 2:29pm
Time - 5 minutes
What we did - Walked into Target and use the restroom
Notes - No waiting
Now this threw off my plan, but I knew there was a Buc-ee's in Saint Augustine, so that is where we went
Location - 200 World Commerce Pkwy, St Augustine, FL
Charger - Mercedes
Energy - 27% -> 70%
Arived - 4:36pm
Time - 28 minutes
What we did - Bathroom and had a brisket sandwich on the tailgate, also let the dog use the restroom
Notes - No waiting
I don't remember what % we ended up in Jacksonville, but I knew just north there was a Starbucks next to a Tesla SC, so that was the plan for the morning.
Saturday
Went to get some coffee
Location - 780 Nautica Dr, Jacksonville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 54% -> 80%
Arrived - 6:42am
Time - 15 minutes
What we did - Walked over to Starbucks, grabbed some coffee, by the time we got back it was at 80%
Notes - No waiting, just happened to be at 80%
Next plan was to hit up Pooler GA. Looked that there was a Publix there, so should have a clean bathroom.
Location - 439 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 29% -> 77%
Arrived - 8:45am
Time - 26 minutes
What we did - Went to Publix to use the bathroom, but on the way out we noticed a really nice coffee shop, Ground Of Grace Coffee (solid owners).
Notes - No waiting. This location wasn't the best as the SC's were at an abandoned fast food place, so a lot of trash around. Coffee shop made it worth it though.
I knew of a charge location near a Pilot, along with a backup at Cayce SC
Location - 3008 US-321, Cayce, SC
Charger - GM
Energy - 21% -> 80%
Arrived - 11:27am
Time - 35 minutes
What we did - Used the bathrooms, took the dog for a bit of a walk
Notes - It was around noon when we arrived, so we had been in the truck for quite a bit and I decided to walk the dog for a bit. We also ate some snacks that we brought. I guess technically we did wait at this location, but we were both ready to stretch (and so was the dog)
We were ready to stop again, and I wasn't sure if I could make it all the way, so stopped in Hendersonville NC
Location - 160 Coolridge St, Hendersonville, NC
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 29% -> 50%
Arrived - 2:37pm
Time - 9 minutes
What we did - Used the bathroom at Panera Bread, let the dog use the bathroom.
Notes - No waiting
Arrived at our cottage that had a destination tesla charger. Thankfully I had an adapter that worked great. So for the next few days we drove around each day and charged to 85% each night. Very nice having a charger at a place you stay.
After a few nights in Western NC, we decided to go to Charleston (Mount Pleasant) for a couple nights. I had a few options on where to stop, but I also wanted to scout out Dreher Island along the way.
Wednesday
Charged up to 95% the night before, on to Dreher Island Park. While on the way I really had to use the bathroom as the coffee was going through me. I just happened to find a charger at the exit for Dreher Island Park, so bonus.
Location - 2221 SC-773, Prosperity, SC
Charger - GM
Energy - 50% -> 72%
Arrived - 11:24am
Time - 12 minutes
What we did - Used the bathroom at Pilot, ate some leftover pizza (shout out to Blue Mountain Pizza) for brunch/lunch
Notes - No waiting. While we were eating a guy showed up with a diesel truck, looked over at us, then parked right next to us. We were the only ones charging, so not sure what point this made as there was multiple others available......
Bonus charge! We went on to Dreher Island Park and I really liked this place so wanted to walk around. Just happened to notice that Rivian had a free L2 charger
Location - Dreher Island Park, SC
Charger - Rivian
Energy - 65% -> 73%
Arrived - 12:09pm
Time - 32 minutes
What we did - walked around the park
Notes - No wait
Arrived to Mount Pleasant with 20% and luckily the Hyatt we stayed at was near a towncenter type place and had 4 L2 chargers, so I was able to charge here each night. Very nice bonus as they were free.
Friday
The way home actually went according to plan, so this will be somewhat short. Charged to 95% the night before. Loved the Ground of Grace Coffee Shop, so wanted to get here early
Location - 439 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 57% -> 80%
Arrived - 7:53am
Time - 16 minutes
What we did - Coffee / bathroom
Notes - No wait, just happened to be at 80% when disconnected
Figured I could get to St Augustine for more Buc-ee's
Location - 200 World Commerce Pkwy, St Augustine, FL
Charger - Mercedes
Energy - 21% -> 80%
Arrived - 10:42am
Time - 35 minutes
What we did - Explored Buc-ee's, bathroom, had brunch on the tailgate, walked the dog
Notes - No wait, just happened to be at 80%
Wasn't sure where I would charge after this, but while driving I wanted a coffee, and I knew Titusville had a Starbucks
Location - 3055 Columbia Blvd, Titusville, FL
Charger - Tesla
Energy - 37% -> 69%
Arrived - 12:58pm
Time - 17 minutes
What we did - Bathroom / coffee
Notes - No wait
Ended up back at home with around 15%.
If you made it this far, I understand bailing as the following will be just my opinions/ramblings (even more than above).
My wife made multiple comments about how nice it was using the truck. We had all our luggage in frunk and this allowed us to put a 45qt Yeti cooler in the back to hold drinks and such. I grabbed a couple bags of ice at some point in NC and it was really nice having this cooler in the back throughout the week.
Wife also kept asking how much the truck had charged to and was always kind of surprised it was so much. She just bought a Tesla and she will be very happy when taking this on a trip at how quick it will be.
As you can see above, I barely waited at all. The one place I kind of did was at Cayce, SC, and even that wasn't really waiting any longer than we probably would have with an ICE vehicle. I never once sat in the truck to wait, and neither did my wife. And I'm really trying not to sound like 'that guy' where I'm acting like it wasn't a big deal. I have no issues complaining if it would have sucked and would be fine renting an ICE vehicle for future travels. I just didn't have a bad experience and neither did my wife.
While driving between NC and Charleston there wasn't a lot of traffic so I brought up the Ford map (on the truck, not phone). I was hoping this might show chargers, which it does, but it also shows L2 chargers and places to get gas. I'm assuming because it's the same software for ICE F150s? Just seems dumb to me. It should show all superchargers on the map while driving and would help for unplanned stops.
While on the interstate I saw a couple of the blue signs that tell you what food and gas that showed EV charger. I believe both were under the Pilot stations. As my trip didn't go as planned, it would be really nice if more signs told us where an EV charger was. I think Tesla should also do this. I know the software is supposed to handle all of this, but what about when you don't do things as the software tells you? It was just be handy to have this info along the interstates.
I used Apple Maps the whole way and I found there was a recent update (I think) that is very helpful. So as we know it's a bit conservative with it's prediction. From Pooler GA to St Augustine it wanted me to stop and charge, but I knew I could make it. I just left it alone and about an hour later it updated itself and removed the charge it wanted me to stop at. This was very very nice as I didn't have to end the route and start the route again while driving. Very nice update Apple.
Only took a couple pictures that included the Lightning
Park with the Rivian charger. Thank you SC / Rivian
Silent Hill foggy at Mount Mitchell
Sponsored
Last edited:
