So had to go to Bakersfield CA to get the COVID 19 shot at CVS. I live in Lake Forest CA / Orange County. My parents couldn't book anything nearby and the only option was Bakersfield. Probably because its out in the middle of nowhere and a little easier to get an appointment.
But what I noticed was there was only one supercharger on the way to Bakersfield, but no supercharging stations in Bakersfield CA. It's in Tejon Ranch, which seems strategically placed as your "last chance" to charge up before going into Bakersfield. Why is there no supercharging in Bakersfield, it's in the middle of nowhere but it not a tiny town. Has anyone ever traveled to Bakersfield as a destination or pass by it? I assumed a place like Bakersfield would be a good place to put a supercharging for those doing road trips to other major CA cities like Sacramento or going to National Parks like Yosemite.
Phoenix AZ was the only city I went to that seemed to be less Tesla friendly, only 3 superchargers in the entire city. I stayed in downtown Phoenix, and before I ventured out east into Mesa AZ, I had to be sure I charged up near downtown because there were no supercharging in Mesa at all, so I had to be absolutely sure I had enough for a round trip back to the hotel.
Drove my parent's Mercedes S-class to Bakersfield CA which is about a 160 mile each way trip, so didn't experiment with the Tesla. But I still checked in the Tesla GPS to see how it plans the route, and that's when I realized there was no supercharging in Bakersfield. So it seems like I would have to charge at Tejon Ranch, which is like 30-40 minutes outside Bakersfield, and be absolutely sure I can make it back after entering Bakersfield CA, since that was final destination and headed back home directly. I assumed Teslas were normal enough now because I see them everywhere in Orange County, LA, San Diego. I didn't see many Teslas in Bakersfield CA, more older beater cars than Teslas.
Checking the Supercharger map, it seems supercharging is easier travelling on I-5, but Bakersfield is on the CA-99. And the CA-99 goes through other middle of nowhere NorCal cities like Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield. And there is only like 2 supercharging you can count on. Seems options are slimmer if you travel along inland cities of CA that aren't a close drive to the beach, and off an interstate.
So far the only places I have to supercharge leaving from Lake Forest CA is going to Santa Barbara round trip, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Diego.
But what I noticed was there was only one supercharger on the way to Bakersfield, but no supercharging stations in Bakersfield CA. It's in Tejon Ranch, which seems strategically placed as your "last chance" to charge up before going into Bakersfield. Why is there no supercharging in Bakersfield, it's in the middle of nowhere but it not a tiny town. Has anyone ever traveled to Bakersfield as a destination or pass by it? I assumed a place like Bakersfield would be a good place to put a supercharging for those doing road trips to other major CA cities like Sacramento or going to National Parks like Yosemite.
Phoenix AZ was the only city I went to that seemed to be less Tesla friendly, only 3 superchargers in the entire city. I stayed in downtown Phoenix, and before I ventured out east into Mesa AZ, I had to be sure I charged up near downtown because there were no supercharging in Mesa at all, so I had to be absolutely sure I had enough for a round trip back to the hotel.
Drove my parent's Mercedes S-class to Bakersfield CA which is about a 160 mile each way trip, so didn't experiment with the Tesla. But I still checked in the Tesla GPS to see how it plans the route, and that's when I realized there was no supercharging in Bakersfield. So it seems like I would have to charge at Tejon Ranch, which is like 30-40 minutes outside Bakersfield, and be absolutely sure I can make it back after entering Bakersfield CA, since that was final destination and headed back home directly. I assumed Teslas were normal enough now because I see them everywhere in Orange County, LA, San Diego. I didn't see many Teslas in Bakersfield CA, more older beater cars than Teslas.
Checking the Supercharger map, it seems supercharging is easier travelling on I-5, but Bakersfield is on the CA-99. And the CA-99 goes through other middle of nowhere NorCal cities like Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield. And there is only like 2 supercharging you can count on. Seems options are slimmer if you travel along inland cities of CA that aren't a close drive to the beach, and off an interstate.
So far the only places I have to supercharge leaving from Lake Forest CA is going to Santa Barbara round trip, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Diego.
Last edited: