Metro Detroit to Chicago Roundtrip in 60 kWH
I made this trip this week. Here are the stats for everybody's use.
Occupancy - 2 people
Luggage - 125 lbs
Total Trip Mileage - 760 miles
Fossil Fuel (Dino Juice) Saved- 30 gallons
Click Here To View Trip Map
Metro Detroit to Chicago [Speed - 75 mph & Energy - 350 kW]
Leg 1 - Home to Maumee - Started with 200 miles range. Used 100 miles for driving 85 miles. Charged for 80 miles - charging time 35 mins.
Initially thought that will do Maumee to Mishawaka in one trip and skip Angola, however after driving 70 miles was using more energy then predicted so took a detour and charged in Angola.
Leg 2 - Maumee to Angola - Started with 180 miles range at Maumee. Used 90 miles range for first 75 miles of driving. Charged in Angola for 50 miles - charging time 15 mins.
Leg 3 - Angola to Mishawaka - Started with 140 miles range at Angola. Used 90 miles for 70 miles of driving. Charged in Mishawaka for 150 miles - charging time 1 hour. Had lunch here.
Leg 4 - Mishawaka to Chicago - Started with 200 miles range at Mishawaka. Used 140 miles for 110 miles of driving. Arrived in Chicago with 60 miles of range left.
Destination charging at the hotel - Level 2 - 15 miles/hour
Total miles - 320 miles
Driving time - 5 hours
Charging time - 2 hours
Metro Chicago to Metro Detroit [Speed - 55 mph(IL)/75 mph (Others) & Energy - 270 kW (IL)/310 kW (Others)]
Leg 1 - Schaumberg to Mishawaka - Started with 170 miles range at Schaumberg. Was little concerned about it due to previous use. However I-290/I-294 had 55 mph speed limits, so drove at 60 mph for first 70 miles and then above 70 for rest 60 miles. Used 130 miles for 130 miles of driving - Charged in Mishawaka for 100 miles - Charged for 30 mins.
Leg 2 - Mishawaka to Angola - Started with 140 miles of range at Mishawaka. Used 85 miles for 70 miles - Charged for 85 miles - Charged for 25 mins.
Leg 3 - Angola to Maumee - Started with 140 miles of range at Angola - Used 85 miles for 75 miles - Charged for 85 miles - Charged for 25 mins.
Leg 4 - Maumee to Home - Started with 140 miles of range at Maumee - Used 85 miles for 85 miles - Arrived with 55 miles left
Total miles - 350 miles
Driving time - 5.5 hours
Charging time - 1.5 hours
Summary:
(1) This trip can be done with 2 stops, esp we had Jackson SC. In absence of that SC, I had to play safe and plan my route through SC corridor. Traveling via turnpike added 50 minutes with probably another 20 minutes or so more in charging on this route. So I think once Jackson SC opens then we can definitely knock down an hour from this time.
(2) This trip could have been done with 2 stops even with current SC deployment without Jackson. I could have skipped Maumee and could have gone to Angola via I-69/I-94, not I-90. I would have traveled trough Jackson and Ann Arbor. Here's the issue I had. There is nothing near Angola SC. On the way to Chicago I was pretty confident that I will skip Angola after charging at Maumee. Had family with me, and keeping them in isolated place isn't cool. On the way back, to skip Maumee we will need to range charge and that meant spending an hour in isolated location in night time. Total charging time wouldn't have changed much, but traveling time is 20 minutes less if we take I-69/I-94 from Angola and skip Maumee.
(3) I take frequent breaks when traveling by car. I would have taken atleast 2 breaks in the journey. I think traveling by EV added one more break and another 50 minutes in total commute time.
(4) Charging is slower as battery gets recharged and charging levels off as battery nears capacity
(5) Key is to arrive at SC with fairly low charge. Charge the car till you have enough range+buffer to get to next SC. I kept buffer at 50 miles. No need to range charge.
(6) Driving slower saves energy (10-15 mph below speed limit), however the time saved by driving close to speed limit can be used to charge car. In 2 hours of driving we can save 20-30 minutes this way, which can be used for charging. After all, Model S is really enjoyable when driven to the limit.
(7) EVs are the future. I think the compromise was so small to travel gas free. I think we spent 50 minutes more in break time/charging time. Traveling via turnpike added 50 minutes, this time can definitely reduced if you travel via MI and not via turnpike as explained above. If no turnpike, then save 50 minutes. If you skip Maumee and take I-69 to Angola then save 20 minutes. 5 to 6 hour trips can easily be done in an EV with atleast 200 mile range and strategically placed level 3 charging.
Recommended Routes:
(1) Metro Detroit - St. Joseph - Chicago: This is only possible with 85 kWh right now. However I have no doubt that once Jackson SC opens, a 60 kWh can make the same trip. Driving time is 4 hr 40 min and charging time is 1 hour (1-2 stops).
(2) Metro Detroit - Angola (via Ann Arbor/Jackson I-69/I-94) - Mishawaka - Chicago: Current possible route for 60 kWh. Driving time is 5 hr 10 min and charging time is 1 hr 20 min (2 stops).
(3) Metro Detroit - Maumee - Angola - Mishawaka (I-90 corridor) - Chicago: Driving time is 5 hr 30 min and charging time is 1 hr 30 min (3 stops).
Angola Supercharger
Mishawaka Supercharger
Mishawaka Supercharger
I made this trip this week. Here are the stats for everybody's use.
Occupancy - 2 people
Luggage - 125 lbs
Total Trip Mileage - 760 miles
Fossil Fuel (Dino Juice) Saved- 30 gallons
Click Here To View Trip Map
Metro Detroit to Chicago [Speed - 75 mph & Energy - 350 kW]
Leg 1 - Home to Maumee - Started with 200 miles range. Used 100 miles for driving 85 miles. Charged for 80 miles - charging time 35 mins.
Initially thought that will do Maumee to Mishawaka in one trip and skip Angola, however after driving 70 miles was using more energy then predicted so took a detour and charged in Angola.
Leg 2 - Maumee to Angola - Started with 180 miles range at Maumee. Used 90 miles range for first 75 miles of driving. Charged in Angola for 50 miles - charging time 15 mins.
Leg 3 - Angola to Mishawaka - Started with 140 miles range at Angola. Used 90 miles for 70 miles of driving. Charged in Mishawaka for 150 miles - charging time 1 hour. Had lunch here.
Leg 4 - Mishawaka to Chicago - Started with 200 miles range at Mishawaka. Used 140 miles for 110 miles of driving. Arrived in Chicago with 60 miles of range left.
Destination charging at the hotel - Level 2 - 15 miles/hour
Total miles - 320 miles
Driving time - 5 hours
Charging time - 2 hours
| Segment | Initial Range | Miles Driven | Range Used | End Range | Miles Charged | Charging Time | Speed | kW Use |
| Metro Detroit - Maumee | 200 miles | 85 miles | 100 miles | 100 miles | 80 miles | 35 mins (Tesla SC) | 75 mph | 330 kW |
| Maumee - Angola | 180 miles | 75 miles | 90 miles | 90 miles | 50 miles | 15 mins (Tesla SC) | 75 mph | 350 kW |
| Angola - Mishawaka | 140 miles | 70 miles | 90 miles | 50 miles | 150 miles | 1 hour (Tesla SC) | 75 mph | 350 kW |
| Mishawaka - Chicago | 200 miles | 110 miles | 140 miles | 60 miles | 140 miles | 10 hours (Blink) | 75 mph | 330 kW |
Metro Chicago to Metro Detroit [Speed - 55 mph(IL)/75 mph (Others) & Energy - 270 kW (IL)/310 kW (Others)]
Leg 1 - Schaumberg to Mishawaka - Started with 170 miles range at Schaumberg. Was little concerned about it due to previous use. However I-290/I-294 had 55 mph speed limits, so drove at 60 mph for first 70 miles and then above 70 for rest 60 miles. Used 130 miles for 130 miles of driving - Charged in Mishawaka for 100 miles - Charged for 30 mins.
Leg 2 - Mishawaka to Angola - Started with 140 miles of range at Mishawaka. Used 85 miles for 70 miles - Charged for 85 miles - Charged for 25 mins.
Leg 3 - Angola to Maumee - Started with 140 miles of range at Angola - Used 85 miles for 75 miles - Charged for 85 miles - Charged for 25 mins.
Leg 4 - Maumee to Home - Started with 140 miles of range at Maumee - Used 85 miles for 85 miles - Arrived with 55 miles left
Total miles - 350 miles
Driving time - 5.5 hours
Charging time - 1.5 hours
| Segment | Initial Range | Miles Driven | Range Used | End Range | Miles Charged | Charging Time | Speed | kW Use |
| Metro Chicago - Mishawaka | 170 miles | 130 miles | 130 miles | 40 miles | 100 miles | 30 mins (Tesla SC) | 60-75 mph | 270 kW |
| Mishawaka - Angola | 140 miles | 70 miles | 85 miles | 55 miles | 85 miles | 25 mins (Tesla SC) | 75 mph | 330 kW |
| Angola - Maumee | 140 miles | 75 miles | 85 miles | 55 miles | 85 miles | 25 mins (Tesla SC) | 75 mph | 310 kW |
| Maumee - Metro Detroit | 140 miles | 85 miles | 85 miles | 55 miles | 125 miles | 4 hours (NEMA) | 70-75 mph | 290 kW |
Summary:
(1) This trip can be done with 2 stops, esp we had Jackson SC. In absence of that SC, I had to play safe and plan my route through SC corridor. Traveling via turnpike added 50 minutes with probably another 20 minutes or so more in charging on this route. So I think once Jackson SC opens then we can definitely knock down an hour from this time.
(2) This trip could have been done with 2 stops even with current SC deployment without Jackson. I could have skipped Maumee and could have gone to Angola via I-69/I-94, not I-90. I would have traveled trough Jackson and Ann Arbor. Here's the issue I had. There is nothing near Angola SC. On the way to Chicago I was pretty confident that I will skip Angola after charging at Maumee. Had family with me, and keeping them in isolated place isn't cool. On the way back, to skip Maumee we will need to range charge and that meant spending an hour in isolated location in night time. Total charging time wouldn't have changed much, but traveling time is 20 minutes less if we take I-69/I-94 from Angola and skip Maumee.
(3) I take frequent breaks when traveling by car. I would have taken atleast 2 breaks in the journey. I think traveling by EV added one more break and another 50 minutes in total commute time.
(4) Charging is slower as battery gets recharged and charging levels off as battery nears capacity
(5) Key is to arrive at SC with fairly low charge. Charge the car till you have enough range+buffer to get to next SC. I kept buffer at 50 miles. No need to range charge.
(6) Driving slower saves energy (10-15 mph below speed limit), however the time saved by driving close to speed limit can be used to charge car. In 2 hours of driving we can save 20-30 minutes this way, which can be used for charging. After all, Model S is really enjoyable when driven to the limit.
(7) EVs are the future. I think the compromise was so small to travel gas free. I think we spent 50 minutes more in break time/charging time. Traveling via turnpike added 50 minutes, this time can definitely reduced if you travel via MI and not via turnpike as explained above. If no turnpike, then save 50 minutes. If you skip Maumee and take I-69 to Angola then save 20 minutes. 5 to 6 hour trips can easily be done in an EV with atleast 200 mile range and strategically placed level 3 charging.
Recommended Routes:
(1) Metro Detroit - St. Joseph - Chicago: This is only possible with 85 kWh right now. However I have no doubt that once Jackson SC opens, a 60 kWh can make the same trip. Driving time is 4 hr 40 min and charging time is 1 hour (1-2 stops).
(2) Metro Detroit - Angola (via Ann Arbor/Jackson I-69/I-94) - Mishawaka - Chicago: Current possible route for 60 kWh. Driving time is 5 hr 10 min and charging time is 1 hr 20 min (2 stops).
(3) Metro Detroit - Maumee - Angola - Mishawaka (I-90 corridor) - Chicago: Driving time is 5 hr 30 min and charging time is 1 hr 30 min (3 stops).
Angola Supercharger
Mishawaka Supercharger
Mishawaka Supercharger
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