Took our first long road trip. 1,000+ miles.
Here are my findings
Here are my findings
- Long distance travel is not about charging back to 100% each stop - it's about charging back enough to reach the next, furthest charging stop.
- Interstate charging stations seem to be spaced apart at the average time someone needs to pee during a road trip.
- Autopilot is a game changer for highway driving. We only have EAP, not FSD - and it was a game changer.
- Plan on wandering around a truck stop gift shop for about 20 minutes. Interesting experience.
- Looking at Where the charger is located on google maps (satellite view) ahead of time is helpful - so you can find the charger. --- a few of our were behind hotels or in odd areas that were not so obvious.
- Use a gas station sponge/wiper for free to clear the windshield.
- Find a creative way to kill time while you are charging - food, walking, ask for free samples of ice cream.
- Idle fees -- Tesla will charge you for letting your car sit at the charger once it's done charging - so, you need to get back to your car asap when it is done charging, or you will be charged.
- Bring your J1772 adapter -- if you don't have one, get one. Bring your travel cord, we didn't need it - but just in case.
- Check with Tesla for any service bulletins for your vehicle before your trip. We had the charging pins replaced 1-week before the trip due to a SB indicating some have broken off - would suck while traveling.