Denver to Louisville KY, down to Nashville TN. back to Denver. $89.00 total SC cost. 18" aero wheel covers, LR AWD Model 3 fully loaded with the exception of FSD.
I have driven across this country a dozen times and never had such an enjoyable trip. My first experience with an EV, and it came into focus how much mental energy used to be required to keep your lane, the position of the gas pedal, and just general awareness keeping track of traffic, following distance and surroundings. The vast majority of that was off-loaded to the best car I ever owned. At day's end, I wasn't nearly as fatigued as my historical trips.
Supercharging was an educational experience, and turned out to be a welcome chance to stretch the legs. Combined with getting a bite to eat and bathroom breaks, the stops weren't the anticipated time-suck I had imagined. In fact, I think the frequency contributed to the overall relaxation, enjoyment, and perception of what a different experience it was. Relaxing as opposed to harried. Never had to wait or share a charger.
I learned that the charging curve flattens out as the battery fills, but when SOC is low it is much faster, so charging to 75-80% and running it down to 15-20% gave me about 30 minutes at the chargers. I never charged all the way.
It turns out you end up caravaning with other owners going in your direction. I can't say I ever made friends at gas stations, but I met some great people on this trip!
Range anxiety was nonexistent. I had stated in another thread how I encountered a headwind at one point and was surprised to see a message pop up on the screen to "keep below 70 to reach your destination". 10 minutes later "keep below 65 to reach your destination". The car was actively monitoring its operating environment and alerting me to what was needed to reach the SC I was navigating to. I just elected to hit one closer, because I don't drive slow.
Another surprise was apparently the car's radar senses police radar. They don't just sit there with the radar on, they flip it on when you are on top of them to prevent radar detectors from giving a warning. A message popped up "Speed Trap Ahead" as I passed him! That gave me a good chuckle.
IMHO I own the best car in the world. In summary, the dread of multiple day road trips has vanished. I never saw that coming. My personally restored prized car of 20 years, a 1966 HP Mustang is going on the block this summer, I never saw that coming either. End of an era for me - and the beginning of a new one! California and up the coastal highway is next...
I have driven across this country a dozen times and never had such an enjoyable trip. My first experience with an EV, and it came into focus how much mental energy used to be required to keep your lane, the position of the gas pedal, and just general awareness keeping track of traffic, following distance and surroundings. The vast majority of that was off-loaded to the best car I ever owned. At day's end, I wasn't nearly as fatigued as my historical trips.
Supercharging was an educational experience, and turned out to be a welcome chance to stretch the legs. Combined with getting a bite to eat and bathroom breaks, the stops weren't the anticipated time-suck I had imagined. In fact, I think the frequency contributed to the overall relaxation, enjoyment, and perception of what a different experience it was. Relaxing as opposed to harried. Never had to wait or share a charger.
I learned that the charging curve flattens out as the battery fills, but when SOC is low it is much faster, so charging to 75-80% and running it down to 15-20% gave me about 30 minutes at the chargers. I never charged all the way.
It turns out you end up caravaning with other owners going in your direction. I can't say I ever made friends at gas stations, but I met some great people on this trip!
Range anxiety was nonexistent. I had stated in another thread how I encountered a headwind at one point and was surprised to see a message pop up on the screen to "keep below 70 to reach your destination". 10 minutes later "keep below 65 to reach your destination". The car was actively monitoring its operating environment and alerting me to what was needed to reach the SC I was navigating to. I just elected to hit one closer, because I don't drive slow.
Another surprise was apparently the car's radar senses police radar. They don't just sit there with the radar on, they flip it on when you are on top of them to prevent radar detectors from giving a warning. A message popped up "Speed Trap Ahead" as I passed him! That gave me a good chuckle.
IMHO I own the best car in the world. In summary, the dread of multiple day road trips has vanished. I never saw that coming. My personally restored prized car of 20 years, a 1966 HP Mustang is going on the block this summer, I never saw that coming either. End of an era for me - and the beginning of a new one! California and up the coastal highway is next...
