Supercharger - Reno, NV

[ProphetM]

Thanks for the info everyone. A destination charger is a backup but definitely a last resort. We have 850 miles to drive in one day and aBetterRoutePlanner is estimating 15.5 hours including charging. Reno will probably be the longest stop even with supercharging.

 

[cpa]

I'm taking a long distance trip shortly and I will need to stop at the Reno superchargers. How are they doing these days? Speed, occupancy, etc. We will probably be arriving around 1-3pm on a Wednesday. We have a LONG day of driving to do (850 miles) and I'd rather not have to wait to get a charge, but there isn't much of an alternative given where we're headed - we'll be coming in from the Hawthorne SC and our next SC after this will be Mt. Shasta.

It is only 160 miles or so from Hawthorne, NV to Truckee if you wish to skip or avoid Reno. Maybe the Chico Supercharger will be online by then to get a small charge before heading up Interstate 5. I realize the drive up 395/36/44/89 is pretty cool. You can also take 89 north from Truckee to 49 to 70 to 395 at Hallelujah Jct. and accomplish the same thing.

 

[PLUS EV]

It is only 160 miles or so from Hawthorne, NV to Truckee if you wish to skip or avoid Reno. Maybe the Chico Supercharger will be online by then to get a small charge before heading up Interstate 5. I realize the drive up 395/36/44/89 is pretty cool. You can also take 89 north from Truckee to 49 to 70 to 395 at Hallelujah Jct. and accomplish the same thing.

Sure he could go a completely different route, but Truckee isn't really on the way to Mount Shasta.

 

[ProphetM]

It is only 160 miles or so from Hawthorne, NV to Truckee if you wish to skip or avoid Reno. Maybe the Chico Supercharger will be online by then to get a small charge before heading up Interstate 5. I realize the drive up 395/36/44/89 is pretty cool. You can also take 89 north from Truckee to 49 to 70 to 395 at Hallelujah Jct. and accomplish the same thing.

The ultimate destination is Crescent City, CA. I have moved the route around with Google Maps and the way through Reno to Mt. Shasta is the shortest. Truckee is a possibility but it adds at least 40 miles and an hour no matter which way I go after that, so it's not worth it unless something is wrong at Reno.

This is better done as a two-day drive but we just don't have the time, so for one day I'm shooting for as quick/short as possible.

 

[cpa]

The ultimate destination is Crescent City, CA. I have moved the route around with Google Maps and the way through Reno to Mt. Shasta is the shortest. Truckee is a possibility but it adds at least 40 miles and an hour no matter which way I go after that, so it's not worth it unless something is wrong at Reno.

This is better done as a two-day drive but we just don't have the time, so for one day I'm shooting for as quick/short as possible.

Never would have thought that the fastest way from Vegas to Crescent City would be through Grants Pass and back down US199 to Crescent City!

My gut would have pegged it to go through Redding to Eureka, then north.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[JeffnReno]

The ultimate destination is Crescent City, CA. I have moved the route around with Google Maps and the way through Reno to Mt. Shasta is the shortest. Truckee is a possibility but it adds at least 40 miles and an hour no matter which way I go after that, so it's not worth it unless something is wrong at Reno.

This is better done as a two-day drive but we just don't have the time, so for one day I'm shooting for as quick/short as possible.

I've checked the supercharger here on the in-car app since reading your post and it normally shows 1-2 out of the 6 in use during the weekday midday hours. I've also charged in Hawthorne, NV a couple of times and was the only one there both times. The store at the chargers has restrooms and some food plus other stuff and there is a McDonalds across the street within walking distance. Just incase you aren't aware, Reno now has a service center. I've never needed it and hopefully you won't either but nice to know anyway.

 

[ProphetM]

So, grand totals from our house in Las Vegas to Crescent City via Reno:
846 miles
17 hours total travel time

The Reno supercharger was just fine, with one other car present when we arrived and no ICEing. It ramped up nicely to over 130 kW even though we arrived with about 1/3 of a charge still in the car. We went inside the Atlantis and had a late lunch at the cafe. By the time we finished and came out to unplug it had been an hour and the car was about 5 minutes from 100%.

While the trip up US 95 to Reno took about 25% more range than the actual miles driven, the leg from Reno to Mt. Shasta was pretty dead-on range miles vs. actual miles. Overall the trip took 90 minutes longer than the estimate at A Better Route Planner, partially because we stopped at every supercharger on the way for bathroom breaks. Our first and last stops in Beatty and Grants Pass weren't needed for the car, just for bathroom breaks.

 

[mociaf9]

Overall the trip took 90 minutes longer than the estimate at A Better Route Planner, partially because we stopped at every supercharger on the way for bathroom breaks. Our first and last stops in Beatty and Grants Pass weren't needed for the car, just for bathroom breaks.

ABRP's total travel time estimate will also include assumptions about how fast you were driving. So, if you end up driving faster or slower than they had calculated, you'll easily get a different trip duration even if all the stops were the same as what they had planned.

 

[PLUS EV]

So, grand totals from our house in Las Vegas to Crescent City via Reno:
846 miles
17 hours total travel time

The Reno supercharger was just fine, with one other car present when we arrived and no ICEing. It ramped up nicely to over 130 kW even though we arrived with about 1/3 of a charge still in the car. We went inside the Atlantis and had a late lunch at the cafe. By the time we finished and came out to unplug it had been an hour and the car was about 5 minutes from 100%.

While the trip up US 95 to Reno took about 25% more range than the actual miles driven, the leg from Reno to Mt. Shasta was pretty dead-on range miles vs. actual miles. Overall the trip took 90 minutes longer than the estimate at A Better Route Planner, partially because we stopped at every supercharger on the way for bathroom breaks. Our first and last stops in Beatty and Grants Pass weren't needed for the car, just for bathroom breaks.

The Vegas to Reno route has higher speed limits and an elevation gain. You actually lose 1,000 ft going from Reno to Shasta, but the main difference is the speed of travel.

 

[Silicon Desert]

The Reno supercharger was just fine, with one other car present when we arrived and no ICEing. It ramped up nicely to over 130 kW even though we arrived with about 1/3 of a charge still in the car. We went inside the Atlantis and had a late lunch at the cafe. By the time we finished and came out to unplug it had been an hour and the car was about 5 minutes from 100%.

Good summary. About what I would have expected. Be glad that you chose to eat at the Atlantis Café instead of the buffet next to it. Otherwise you would have run out of battery going up to Mt/ Shasta from carrying all that extra food in your stomach

 

[ProphetM]

Heading back home yesterday, we knocked a half hour off the return trip and did it in 16.5 hours, not bad. We stopped at all the superchargers on the way, as before, but didn't have a real restaurant meal this time. Reno turned out to be a little slow, but not overly so. Being Father's Day it was kind of busy but we didn't have to wait. I think it was full just briefly. Charging maxed out at 72 kW even after the paired stall was vacated. We passed the time by using the restroom at Atlantis and then walking over to the Walgreens for drinks. That took a little longer than we had planned so we had more than enough charge by then to continue onward to Hawthorne. Grand total for this trip: 1,785.6 miles.

 

[JeffnReno]

Looks like Target stores are ahead of many others when it comes to supporting EV charging. Saw a few when last in CA and hope that the trend continues. Would be nice to see the Target in Sparks, NV add some as it would be close to the freeway and along I80 so very nice location when travelling through the area without having to divert south to Atlantis Casino in Reno.

 

[cwginac]

Looks like Target stores are ahead of many others when it comes to supporting EV charging. Saw a few when last in CA and hope that the trend continues. Would be nice to see the Target in Sparks, NV add some as it would be close to the freeway and along I80 so very nice location when travelling through the area without having to divert south to Atlantis Casino in Reno.

They are adding an Electrify America station at the Target in Sparks. PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You
4 CCS/CHAdeMO

 

[Silicon Desert]

BEWARE OF HOT AUGUST NIGHTS. (Classic cars event)
The locals know it, but travelers may not.
This time every year ( Aug 6 to Aug 11 this year). You better plan on longer charge times at the Reno supercharger when passing through. It's only 6 stalls and almost completely full during these days. And even when you get into one, you probably will only get 65kW to 70kW tops. I experience this every year up here, and it can't possibly be any better this year with more Teslas out there. And yes, the hotels are full and those buffet restaurants have long waits as well. We avoid the whole area during this week. On a positive note, some really cool classic cars out there at the GSR and at the Atlantis.

Oh and if you are desperate, there are two destination chargers at the Atlantis and two at the GSR. Yes, only about 64-72 amps at 208VAC.

 

[mspohr]

BEWARE OF HOT AUGUST NIGHTS. (Classic cars event)
The locals know it, but travelers may not.
This time every year ( Aug 6 to Aug 11 this year). You better plan on longer charge times at the Reno supercharger when passing through. It's only 6 stalls and almost completely full during these days. And even when you get into one, you probably will only get 65kW to 70kW tops. I experience this every year up here, and it can't possibly be any better this year with more Teslas out there. And yes, the hotels are full and those buffet restaurants have long waits as well. We avoid the whole area during this week. On a positive note, some really cool classic cars out there at the GSR and at the Atlantis.

Oh and if you are desperate, there are two destination chargers at the Atlantis and two at the GSR. Yes, only about 64-72 amps at 208VAC.

Mostly empty last year when we went to see the cars across from the Atlantis. YMMV

 

[Silicon Desert]

Mostly empty last year when we went to see the cars across from the Atlantis. YMMV

Hmmm, for the last two years, we saw it mostly completely PACKED during the day. We live here and I go by there twice every day. I don't know about the night though. Maybe that is better. Good to hear you had better luck last year. That is not likely to be as clear this year unfortunately.

 

[KrenGrl]

This location has become a nightmare as mentioned above. I was visiting a month ago and could not charge. All slots full and 3 cars waiting during middle of day on a Tuesday.

Yesterday I was there again visiting in middle of day. 1 charger not working ,leaving only 5. My car indicated 1 slot open but it was the bad one. 1 other car waiting so i decided to wait.

A woman in her car sat there playing games without the charging cable connected. We knew because we saw her turning the steering wheel and the tires turning constantly. Maybe she will wear out the tires. Several of us staring at her, so she decided to leave. I took the spot and charge rate was only 50 kW, not due to car or temperature. No other person getting more than 60kW when I asked.

While I charged, one spot opened up and immediately 2 cars came in at same time. One car only seconds in front of the other. 1st car took the bad charger and after figuring out it didn't work, he started yelling at the drive behind him who took the other open spot by claiming he was there first and the charger he took was bad. 2nd person rolled up the window and ignored him. I decided to leave and go back to Tahoe after getting enough charge to make it up to Donner pass charger.

Something needs to be done about this site. Add to it or create another one along the interstate. I80 and 395 are heavy traveled routes. And fix the bad charger that has been broken for a month.

 

[mspohr]

This location has become a nightmare as mentioned above. I was visiting a month ago and could not charge. All slots full and 3 cars waiting during middle of day on a Tuesday.

Yesterday I was there again visiting in middle of day. 1 charger not working ,leaving only 5. My car indicated 1 slot open but it was the bad one. 1 other car waiting so i decided to wait.

A woman in her car sat there playing games without the charging cable connected. We knew because we saw her turning the steering wheel and the tires turning constantly. Maybe she will wear out the tires. Several of us staring at her, so she decided to leave. I took the spot and charge rate was only 50 kW, not due to car or temperature. No other person getting more than 60kW when I asked.

While I charged, one spot opened up and immediately 2 cars came in at same time. One car only seconds in front of the other. 1st car took the bad charger and after figuring out it didn't work, he started yelling at the drive behind him who took the other open spot by claiming he was there first and the charger he took was bad. 2nd person rolled up the window and ignored him. I decided to leave and go back to Tahoe after getting enough charge to make it up to Donner pass charger.

Something needs to be done about this site. Add to it or create another one along the interstate. I80 and 395 are heavy traveled routes. And fix the bad charger that has been broken for a month.

Don't know what the problem is in Reno.
The current SC is small and out of the way.
Really need a large station near I80.
(The good news is that we now have three stations around Lake Tahoe (Incline, South Lake, Tahoe City) plus two in Truckee.)

 

[JeffnReno]

This location has become a nightmare as mentioned above. I was visiting a month ago and could not charge. All slots full and 3 cars waiting during middle of day on a Tuesday.

Yesterday I was there again visiting in middle of day. 1 charger not working ,leaving only 5. My car indicated 1 slot open but it was the bad one. 1 other car waiting so i decided to wait.

A woman in her car sat there playing games without the charging cable connected. We knew because we saw her turning the steering wheel and the tires turning constantly. Maybe she will wear out the tires. Several of us staring at her, so she decided to leave. I took the spot and charge rate was only 50 kW, not due to car or temperature. No other person getting more than 60kW when I asked.

While I charged, one spot opened up and immediately 2 cars came in at same time. One car only seconds in front of the other. 1st car took the bad charger and after figuring out it didn't work, he started yelling at the drive behind him who took the other open spot by claiming he was there first and the charger he took was bad. 2nd person rolled up the window and ignored him. I decided to leave and go back to Tahoe after getting enough charge to make it up to Donner pass charger.

Something needs to be done about this site. Add to it or create another one along the interstate. I80 and 395 are heavy traveled routes. And fix the bad charger that has been broken for a month.

Since I live locally and mostly charge at home I can't speak from experience on this charger but I was hoping when Tesla opened the service center here that they would include some additional superchargers. Several casinos have L2 charging that I will use occasionally when going there but if Tesla wants to encourage buyers that live in apartment/condo units or even homes that only have street parking, they definitely need more supercharging options. What owner in that situation that doesn't work at the Gigafactory here would want to wait every time they charge or drive to Tahoe (in the winter it could be an even bigger issue)? You make a valid point.

 

[HAL8950]

New Supercharger activity at the Eldorado Casino in Reno, pic from David Miller