Tesla Motors Club
Just got my Tesla Model S about two weeks ago and am planning on a weekend trip from Hood RIver, OR to Kirkland, WA and back - 240 miles each way. Leaving Fri 7/19. I've driven to Portland and back a few times already so that doesn't bother me at all. I've been having some weird range anxiety dreams related to running out of juice on the way and the hassles involved (and embarassement factor) of being towed and getting recharged.
It is unclear whether the Centralia Supercharger will be online by then or not - although another member of the PDXTesla group spoke with one of the construction crew who claims that it will be operational Thursday 7/18 but I'm not going to depend on it.
Finally I decided to just make a plan so I can sleep peacefully. Since it is my first time, I actually want to check out some additional charging options as well as the supercharger and I'm going to give myself plenty of extra time to stop and charge in case the supercharger isn't ready or has problems.
Hood River, OR --> Ridgefield, WA (77 miles). J1772 charger, stretch my legs, scope out the place, maybe get some coffee. Charge for about 15 minutes.
Ridgefield --> Centralia (69 miles). If the supercharger is online, I will top off using that. If not, use the Wendy's J1772 while I get lunch. Maybe 30-45 minutes. Hoping the dining option are better than just crappy fast-food. Yelp is my friend.
Possible stop in Lacey at the Dept of Ecology chargers to check that out - it looks like there is a big shopping area nearby with nice restaurants, shops and a movie theater! Might be a good place to stop on the way back as well.
Centralia --> Bellevue Square Tesla (85 miles). Call ahead and try to reserve a spot so I can charge at their HWPC charger while browsing around the mall until my friend gets off work.
Bellevue Square --> Kirkland, WA (5 miles). There are supposedly many free ChargePoint J1772 stations at various locations in downtown Kirkland (City Hall, Marina Park, Public Library). Looks like one is about a 10 minute walk way from my friend's house. Do as much charging at these stations I can over the weekend.
This should give me some confidence and I can make appropriate adjustment for the trip back. Going back I hope to by close to a full, max range charge. If not, I will pop into Bellevue Square Tesla again. I basically intend to make the same stops on the way back as needed and based on my charging experience going up.
Any additional suggestions?
Thanks
It is unclear whether the Centralia Supercharger will be online by then or not - although another member of the PDXTesla group spoke with one of the construction crew who claims that it will be operational Thursday 7/18 but I'm not going to depend on it.
Finally I decided to just make a plan so I can sleep peacefully. Since it is my first time, I actually want to check out some additional charging options as well as the supercharger and I'm going to give myself plenty of extra time to stop and charge in case the supercharger isn't ready or has problems.
Hood River, OR --> Ridgefield, WA (77 miles). J1772 charger, stretch my legs, scope out the place, maybe get some coffee. Charge for about 15 minutes.
Ridgefield --> Centralia (69 miles). If the supercharger is online, I will top off using that. If not, use the Wendy's J1772 while I get lunch. Maybe 30-45 minutes. Hoping the dining option are better than just crappy fast-food. Yelp is my friend.
Possible stop in Lacey at the Dept of Ecology chargers to check that out - it looks like there is a big shopping area nearby with nice restaurants, shops and a movie theater! Might be a good place to stop on the way back as well.
Centralia --> Bellevue Square Tesla (85 miles). Call ahead and try to reserve a spot so I can charge at their HWPC charger while browsing around the mall until my friend gets off work.
Bellevue Square --> Kirkland, WA (5 miles). There are supposedly many free ChargePoint J1772 stations at various locations in downtown Kirkland (City Hall, Marina Park, Public Library). Looks like one is about a 10 minute walk way from my friend's house. Do as much charging at these stations I can over the weekend.
This should give me some confidence and I can make appropriate adjustment for the trip back. Going back I hope to by close to a full, max range charge. If not, I will pop into Bellevue Square Tesla again. I basically intend to make the same stops on the way back as needed and based on my charging experience going up.
Any additional suggestions?
Thanks