Hello! We are planning a road trip with a model y potentially into the Rockies and maybe Mid-west from Los Angeles. We have heard of people sometimes waiting for an hour or TWO to start charging at a supercharger (a friend waited for two hours at a Bakersfield, CA supercharger station). Anyone who has taken a recent roadtrip towards the center of the country - generally, how easy or difficult was it to access superchargers? Also, would be interested in anyone who has driven from Southern CA to Northern CA and/or Oregon how hard it was to access superchargers. Thanks so much!
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Supercharger stations full?
- Thread starter KayBee
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LNL_HUTZ
Member
Having made multiple trips between the Bay Area and Sacramento or Tahoe (both ends), I have only had one instance when all the stalls were taken, in Rocklin. There was no line and, by the time I drove to the back of the Supercharger and turned around, someone pulled out.
There have been stories of long Supercharger waits along I-5 during the holidays. Time will tell how well Tesla has alleviated this problem with all the new locations constantly coming online, since they've also been delivering tons of new cars. In denser areas, there already seem to be enough locations that you could choose one with more availability within a 5-10% charge margin.
There have been stories of long Supercharger waits along I-5 during the holidays. Time will tell how well Tesla has alleviated this problem with all the new locations constantly coming online, since they've also been delivering tons of new cars. In denser areas, there already seem to be enough locations that you could choose one with more availability within a 5-10% charge margin.
LionelHutz
Member
I personally wouldn't rely on the Supercharger network for holiday travel in CA.
Off-peak travel won't be like that video, but Tesla is selling cars way faster than they're building out charging infrastructure. There are a number of stations in San Diego that typically have 0-2 stalls available out of 10-16 total, from 8am to 10pm.
Off-peak travel won't be like that video, but Tesla is selling cars way faster than they're building out charging infrastructure. There are a number of stations in San Diego that typically have 0-2 stalls available out of 10-16 total, from 8am to 10pm.
CapsEngineer
Member
Reminds me of the early 70's and the gas shortages and lines. My father put an extra gas tank in the family Suburban so we could hunt for gas when traveling.
Any way to install an extra battery pack in a Tesla?
I’ve only had one instance of not having an available charger while on a road trip in the six months I’ve had my MY. This was during the holidays and the station only had 4 stalls with 3 cars in line, however there was an Electrify America station across the parking lot with none in use. One of the few times my CHAdeMO adapter came in clutch. 
If you are concerned with supercharger availability, you might want to grab one of the adapters for your trip for peace of mind. Some of the local Tesla clubs have them available for rent if you want to try before you buy.
If you are concerned with supercharger availability, you might want to grab one of the adapters for your trip for peace of mind. Some of the local Tesla clubs have them available for rent if you want to try before you buy.FWIW we finished a long road trip a week ago. 25 different superchargers in 7 states (MN, IA, NE, CO, UT, AZ, NM). Never had to wait. At most stops there were 0 or 1 other car charging when we arrived.
Gaige
Member
Just had full supercharger with small line of cars experience in Rocklin, CA on Sunday, 2:30 in the afternoon.
Looked like all the Tahoe traffic used this as their stop. Had to wait ~20 minutes before a charger became free.
This is at a Tesla dealership, and they had a couple spots roped off.
Looked like all the Tahoe traffic used this as their stop. Had to wait ~20 minutes before a charger became free.
This is at a Tesla dealership, and they had a couple spots roped off.
You unfortunately have a kind of skewed perspective of this because of where you live. I have Supercharged in about thirty-some states in over 60 locations in my 7 years with the car and have absolutely never had a time where all the stalls were full. But this is also the skew that my perspective has--I have still never yet been to a Supercharger in California, where they do have some capacity problems sometimes.
LNL_HUTZ
Member
This should improve once the Auburn SuC comes online. I think right now, if you're going east on I-80, Rocklin is the last one before Truckee. There are two Roseville locations right before that, though.
I've had to wait ~5 min at Los Gatos in the past 8 months of ownership.
You almost need to try to find a full SC these days.
You almost need to try to find a full SC these days.
Gaige
Member
Agreed, Rocklin is just in the right spot where it's go to east and westbound on I-80 for Tahoe traffic. Looking forward to Auburn and hoping it happens end of year.
Mrbrock
Active Member
Rocklin is a delivery center so they charge cars that are being picked up. Go on the last weekend of a quarter and see how busy it is and most of the people getting in and out of cars are Tesla employees.
GHammer
Dark Star
In well over 1000 supercharging sessions in 43 states I have waited exactly 7 times, never over 5 minutes. 5 of those were in the LA area.
Was headed up to Tahoe on Sunday and used the Roseville Galleria one . No lines. I e used the Rocklin one in the past . The last time I had to wait for a spot was the Mountain View supercharger about 3 years ago.
afty
Member
I did the SF Bay Area to San Diego and back last October. Supercharged 4 times and did not have to wait. The nav system tells you how many chargers are free, so if one is full you can just keep going to the next one. At least along that route there is no shortage of Supercharging sites.
Bet TSLA
Active Member
Welcome! Notice that people who believe online videos are full of dire warnings and people who actually go on road trips report no problems. Yes, it is possible to find crowds during holidays on heavily traveled routes in California. My wife once waited for hours while driving home from Oregon after the total eclipse (while gas stations had no gas). You won't run into these things.
If you let your Navigation route you you'll do fine. Pay attention to the numbers of available stalls, a number which you can see on the Nav screen. Occasionally, charging at Roseville is much smarter than going to Rocklin. Charge to 100% before you leave, so you have maximum choice in getting out of LA.
I'd like to hear the story of your friend having to wait at Bakersfield. Not the sort of thing that happens once you have some experience on the road. And things keep getting better as Tesla builds more superchargers and makes everything more efficient.
One other thing to keep in mind is that it's a win to stay at accommodations that have Level 2 charging, so you can leave in the morning with a full complement of electrons. The charging is usually free too.
Frequently drive I-5 from SoCal to the Bay Area. Thanksgiving weekend seems the worst, so we avoid prime time: Wed and Sunday afternoons. If you go off hours during holidays you'll be fine. Last couple of recent trips (under covid), I'd pull into Kettleman at 9:00 am and I'd find only one other person charging.
I did hear about an issue in Bakersfield (last year?) but that was a fluke as the other nearby Supercharger was shut down due to an adjacent gas line leak. This was not a Tesla issue -- plenty of electricity -- but CHP closed down the whole area and freeway offramps for several hours for community safety. As a result, the open Supercharger was overloaded. Perhaps that is what your friend experienced?
I did hear about an issue in Bakersfield (last year?) but that was a fluke as the other nearby Supercharger was shut down due to an adjacent gas line leak. This was not a Tesla issue -- plenty of electricity -- but CHP closed down the whole area and freeway offramps for several hours for community safety. As a result, the open Supercharger was overloaded. Perhaps that is what your friend experienced?
I do not want to relive that.Reminds me of the early 70's and the gas shortages and lines. My father put an extra gas tank in the family Suburban so we could hunt for gas when traveling.
Any way to install an extra battery pack in a Tesla?
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