I recently traveled over 500 miles in a Tesla and had a disappointing experience. The constant need to stop and charge (5-6 times!) made the trip far more time-consuming than expected. I also had to worry about the availability of charging stations, adding unnecessary stress to the journey. For example, on the I-90 NYS Thruway between Albany and Niagara Falls, it was impossible to enjoy rest stops with my family. We had to factor in charging time after each break, which meant spending more time waiting around than actually relaxing. Each charging session took at least 20 minutes, adding a significant amount of time to our overall travel time.
To avoid this hassle in the future, I've decided to purchase a used $5000 Prius for long-distance trips. While the Tesla offers a comfortable ride, the frequent and lengthy charging stops are simply not practical for me. With the Prius, I can make one quick stop at a rest area, fill up the tank for $40, and be on my way without any further interruptions. There's no need to wait around at charging stations or worry about detours to find them. On my Tesla trip, I spent 6x20-minutes charging, not including the additional time spent searching for and navigating to Superchargers.
I understand that some people may have had better experiences with Tesla road trips, but for me, the inconvenience of constant charging outweighs the benefits. I believe a used Prius is a more practical and efficient option for long-distance travel.