First EV trip -- Houston to New Orleans

[RRM998]

I don't tend to do long drives (I'll fly when possible) but I wanted to try out what it's like to drive my MX 75D on a trip requiring multiple charging stops.

The Auto Pilot (HW2) was as useful on a long drive as I would expect it to be. Not having to press the peddles or steer meant I could move around more and be more comfortable.

I deployed my "Auto Pilot anti-nag" device to good effect. I spent hours driving without a single nag. See a photo of my device below. That is is a 2.5 pound weight for a weight stack machine.

The trip is about 5.5 hours by normal car. It took me 9 hours to make the trip due to charging (1.5 hours) and nasty traffic in Baton Rouge. If I wasn't forced to go into Baton Rouge to get power, I could have re-routed and saved about 2 hours. Something to think about when making my next battery size decision.

Returning I had no traffic and did the trip in just under 7 hours. Both supercharger sites had plenty of options to take a break while charging.

 

[BerTX]

That weight looks dangerous to me. It's pretty easy to hold the wheel in the area where you have the weight (either side) and put dead-weight downward pressure there. You don't have to do anything, in fact it's better if you don't. If you need both hands or need to stretch, then by all means let go of the wheel, but your hand has to be somewhere, and you will get in less trouble if it's resting on the wheel.

 

[Joe F]

I deployed my "Auto Pilot anti-nag" device to good effect. I spent hours driving without a single nag.

Very bad idea. I’d call it a “Dead Man Device.”

Hopefully you’ll stop using it so it never lives up to that name.

 

[Lodo1000]

9 hours to NOLA from Houston is quite an extended journey. Traffic always seems to be an issue.

 

[CjRichMar]

I wish AP had an option to turn off the nag. I don't need my car babysitting me, plus having to look down every five minutes takes my eyes off of the road unnecessarily.

 

[Barklikeadog]

The trip is about 5.5 hours by normal car. It took me 9 hours

heh

 

[kavyboy]

The last round trip I took from Houston to NOLA before I had my Tesla, I almost couldn't make it back without falling asleep. I remember being in a construction zone, no place to turn off or even pull over. I finally got to an exit and found a parking place where I could take a nap. Who knows how long I slept, but it was at least an hour. Sadly, I realized this would be my last long-distance trip as a driver, ever. Was it the rough ride, boring route, the heat, or maybe a carbon monoxide leak? Whatever, it wasn't safe.
Then my wife and I did the trip in the Tesla. She could take over if I got drowsy. Wow! I engaged AP1 and off we went. Our first trip of many, as it turned out, and no sleepiness at all. The SC stops added time, but we totally enjoyed them... really. A casino, fresh oysters, Trader Joe's, hot wings and beer, reading on comfy couches, furniture shopping... all good stuff, hardly hardship.
As for routing through SC adding time, the Tesla Nav routed me around a bad backup west of NOLA, so I guess overall between me and OP it's a wash. (I ignored Nav on the next trip at that spot and regretted it.)

As for OP's nag device, I'm reminded of an old SNL sketch. I can't find the video, but here's the transcript.

 

[Topher_33]

It's pretty awful not having a SC in Lafayette. If you did, you could then take 49 South through Morgan City and avoid BR traffic. Is there a way we can lobby Tesla to put one near the Lafayette Airport for those who choose that South route?

I am originally from that Houma/MC area. My road trips home are tight due to nothing after Lake Charles, but it struck me as a big gap to making EVs through LA a easier experience. Outside of my selfish need, taking hwy 90 from Lafayette to Nola is still 2hr 15 min instead of the extra hour BR traffic adds at any time of day now. With the model 3 increasing the Tesla Footorint for road trips, I think now is the time they consider adding that one new location. ... Honestly think Hurricane Evacuation Route option needs as well.