Anyone make the drive from Metro Detroit, MI to Metro Chicago, IL?

[jacqueusi]

I live in the Metro Detroit area. In the market for a Model X. Due to budget I'm looking at late model 2016 to 2017 range 75D or 90D. 98% of commute is 26 miles round trip. About 3 times a year I make the drive to see family in Chicago. 300 miles on the dot, door to door. Curious to know what the drive is like in a MX. My family and I stop about 2/3 of the way to fuel up and grab something to eat. I'm thinking with a MX the trip is a two stopper? Also, when in Chicago, we tend to stay at a hotel downtown or in Evansville and RARELY touch our car while we are there.

Thanks in advance fo advice and perspective.

 

[jdchi]

I have a MX 100D and I make the drive from Chicago to Ann Arbor all the time, and to the Detroit suburbs from time to time. Super easy. There are Superchargers in Ann Arbor, Marshall, and St. Joseph--all with places to eat. When it's warm, I could probably make the drive without stopping, but usually stop in Marshall to be safe. In Chicago/Evanston, there is plenty of charging in the area. If you stay in River North, the Greenway parking garage at Kinzie and Clark has dozens of Tesla chargers. I'm in that garage every day and I've never seen them all in use. There are several hotels within a few blocks of that garage and I think one of the hotels uses the garage for its guest parking.

 

[mhinterseher]

I'm in Novi, have a 2017 MX75 and drove to Chicago with no sweat similar to jdchi with one or two stops. There is a Tesla route planer you can find online which shows you where to stop an how long. On autopilot the car makes the drive almost by itself. Last time I only needed to disengage once as it doesn’t handle lane closures yet. I have to warn you so — once you are spoiled by your MX you will have a really hard time driving an ICE car. My company mandates rentals when going to Chicago, which makes me sad. Examples of being spoiled? You will find yourself complaining about things like: I have to close the door and turn engine on again. Even so I entered my destination I have to confirm it. I have to pay attention to stay in lane and break when the driver ahead slows down. I have to turn engine off and lock the car. Letting the car doing the driving makes road trips so much more relaxing. Just make sure you start with a full battery and plan in 45min of charging time. Once every 3 month I wish I had ordered a 100D but thinking like you I only miss it ~4 times a year therefore it is not worth spending $16k more. PS my realistic range without hypermiling since I bought the car is 175miles. Subtract 15 miles as as you should not charge to 100% every day and keep 40miles of spare for emergencies (we only have one car) gives you about 120miles of range for daily driving between charging.

 

[jacqueusi]

Thank you jdchi and mhintersher! You two not only answered by questions but anticipated my follow-up questions. When in DT Chicago, we usually stay at the Intercontinental which is walking distance to Greenway Parking I believe. Can I leave my MX at the lot plugged in for a couple of days?

Also, what are the places the superchargers located like? People pretty chill? Food 1/2 decent? Will I need to do the full 45-1 hour charge? So curious!

 

[fwiw]

I make the Milwaukee - Northville trip a couple of times a year with my MS75. If my wife can make it without a p stop, we stop in Marshall.
Panneras, Five Guys, Mo's Mexican and a Yogurt shop.. The charge finishes up about the same time we are done eating. I've never waited for a Supercharger.
I wish the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo would put in a Supercharger. That sure would intice us to stop and they do have good food.

 

[jerseygirl18]

I live in the Metro Detroit area. In the market for a Model X. Due to budget I'm looking at late model 2016 to 2017 range 75D or 90D. 98% of commute is 26 miles round trip. About 3 times a year I make the drive to see family in Chicago. 300 miles on the dot, door to door. Curious to know what the drive is like in a MX. My family and I stop about 2/3 of the way to fuel up and grab something to eat. I'm thinking with a MX the trip is a two stopper? Also, when in Chicago, we tend to stay at a hotel downtown or in Evansville and RARELY touch our car while we are there.

Thanks in advance fo advice and perspective.

Did a round trip Chicago to Ann Arbor Mi. Charged ¾ in & then ¼ into trip back...it was GREAT!! so fast & we r free supercharging! We forgot that when we were home we had no super char in garage...LOL Everything was fab & we really didn't mind the 45 min pause in the first part of the journey, We went to 90% and had plenty for our trips around Ann Arbor & enough to leave till we reached Marshall Mi. Super experience...obviously our 1st real trip in the MX 2019 Raven