(Warning: Long post with lots of details in case anyone finds this of interest!)
I drive quite a bit locally (I've had it since July and I'm approaching 20,000 miles), but this is my first time doing a full cross country, can't-always-rely-on-familiar-places type trip. For reference it's a Model S 70 RWD. I decided to make notes along the way about anything of interest regarding superchargers or the path I was taking -- and it is a bit of a silly path as a result of a cancelled appointment in Indianapolis when I got to Springfield. Going almost coast to coast, here's the path I ended up taking, along with charge times/rates per Teslab:
Also, some of the stops on the list are closer together than necessary; I was trying to stay behind a huge line of storms moving through Texas and Oklahoma, so when I caught the storm, I held back.
Here are the notes that I took regarding either the trip or the superchargers themselves that I think might be of interest:
I drive quite a bit locally (I've had it since July and I'm approaching 20,000 miles), but this is my first time doing a full cross country, can't-always-rely-on-familiar-places type trip. For reference it's a Model S 70 RWD. I decided to make notes along the way about anything of interest regarding superchargers or the path I was taking -- and it is a bit of a silly path as a result of a cancelled appointment in Indianapolis when I got to Springfield. Going almost coast to coast, here's the path I ended up taking, along with charge times/rates per Teslab:
- Start: Sacramento, CA
- Gustine Supercharger - 165.08 mi, 43m
- Buttonwillow Supercharger - 129.28 mi, 57m
- Tejon Ranch Supercharger - 68.48 mi, 16m
- Burbank Supercharger - 116.0 mi, 38m
- Indio Supercharger - 80.71 mi, 18m
- Quartzsite Supercharger - 78.62 mi, 17m
- Buckeye Supercharger - 92.94 mi, 22m
- Destination: Phoenix, AZ (no destination charging)
- Cordes Lakes Supercharger - 179.6 mi, 44m
- Flagstaff Supercharger - 20.62 mi, 4m
- Destination: Winslow, AZ (destination charging at La Posada)
- Gallup Supercharger - 97.49 mi, 23m
- Albuquerque Supercharger - 158.29 mi, 42m
- Santa Rosa Supercharger - 141.51 mi, 43m
- Tucumcari Supercharger - 21.31 mi, 6m
- Amarillo Supercharger - 118.45 mi, 44m
- Destination: Amarillo, TX (no destination charging)
- Shamrock Supercharger - 122.3 mi, 29m
- Weatherford Supercharger - 150.6 mi, 41m
- Oklahoma City Supercharger - 37.39 mi, 11m
- Catoosa Supercharger - 134.53 mi, 40m
- Joplin Supercharger - 87.71 mi, 22m
- Destination: Springfield, MO (failed destination charging at Best Western Plus)
- Springfield Supercharger - 85.25 mi, 29m
- Rolla Supercharger - 142.9 mi, 47m
- Miner Supercharger - 126.48 mi, 29m
- Kuttawa Supercharger - 83.16 mi, 20m
- Nashville-Brentwood Supercharger - 139.42 mi, 43m
- Destination: Nashville, TN (no destination charging)
- Knoxville Supercharger - 182.75 mi, 60m
- Asheville Supercharger - 93.99 mi, 30m
- Destination: Burlington, NC (destination charging at Country Inn and Suites)
- South Hill Supercharger - 82.81 mi, 24m
- End: Norfolk, VA
- Distance 3,361.0 miles
- Driving Time 51:31
- Charging Time 16:06 (Teslab reports that I actually charged 14:02, but that doesn't count destinations)
- Total Trip Time 67:37
- Total Energy Used 979.9 kWh / 3,266 RM
Also, some of the stops on the list are closer together than necessary; I was trying to stay behind a huge line of storms moving through Texas and Oklahoma, so when I caught the storm, I held back.
Here are the notes that I took regarding either the trip or the superchargers themselves that I think might be of interest:
- The Flagstaff, Shamrock, and Amarillo Superchargers are in boring places - either at hotels with otherwise nothing to do, or in the middle of nowhere. Shamrock was the worst.
- Sketchiest Supercharger was Joplin, the only place I was questioned by the cops what I was doing there. It's at a Doubletree which is under construction. There are no lights in the area. It's close to some shopping (5-10 minute walk) but didn't give me the best vibe - and I park my car in Oakland during the week!
- The Ruby Tuesday at Miner (which is the only thing around) was not the friendliest about using it as a restroom stop without purchasing food, though they did permit it. I try not to do this often but if I'm not hungry, I'm not hungry!
- There's a BBQ restaurant (Bandanas) at Rolla which is fantastic and inexpensive. Unfortunately they also serve very fast, so if you need a long charge, eat slow!
- Similarly, the Weatherford Supercharger has an excellent restaurant next to it (Lucille's Roadhouse) with a ton of different menu options.
- Going from Rolla to Miner, and also the Nashville - Knoxville - Asheville segment of the trip was range-anxiety-inducing in a 70. I dropped below the speed limit several times on both of those to play it safe.
- High winds can destroy range. I posted about it elsewhere, but I lost almost 30% versus what the car was estimating at one point. Check that weather.
- Best Supercharger location award goes to Catoosa, which is located at the Hard Rock Casino. Plenty of parking so no chance of being ICEd, valet pickup to/from the casino from your car, tons of restrooms, free beverages, food options, entertainment, etc. Granted it was also my most expensive Supercharger location.
- Nicest Supercharger award goes to Springfield. I reviewed that one in the Springfield supercharger thread.
- Call ahead to your Destination hotels to make sure the charger is actually available. Many of them will offer to block off the spot with a cone, or in one case an employee moved her car to that spot until I arrived.
- I only encountered one Supercharger not functioning and that was the last one, South Hill. Neither 3A nor 3B gave any power and they didn't have the phone number on them like I've seen at other Superchargers, so I reported it to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
- Aside from Albuquerque, outside of California I never saw more than one other Tesla charging while I was there (typically there were none).