Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

tjllew Roadster Roadtrips

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
2021-11-28 Thanksgiving with the family in Woodburn and Salem (Portland OR area)
My very first road trip. Got the car Nov-23-2021, just in time for family Thanksgivings in Seattle and Oregon.
Visited Sister Cindy in Woodburn, Daughter Aimee and Grandson Harry in Salem).

Free recharges (no $80 round trip gas bill for this visit!). So far I’ve only found 15mph chargers (220v@30a), so the 200mi one-way trip takes 8-9 hrs. Looking for better charging options since I visit family regularly. I have the Tesla 220v, 50a Mobile Charger, hoping to find an RV place or something like that to speed up recharge times.
2021-11-28-170329119.MP 20 percent.jpg


Way points – Federal Way I-5 south (to Longview, Portland), then on to family in Woodburn and Salem.

Charge points, outbound – Longview 4hr charge* (adds 80 ideal miles about ¾ charge) gets you to Woodburn**. Woodburn overnight home charge (115v, 15a) was enough to get me to Salem for my daughter and grandson visit. On the return, stopped at the Woodburn Columbia Bank (branch just off Woodburn I-5 exit) to top off the pack since home charging would take too long for a full charge.

Charge points, return – Longview, Tumwater Shell.

* Longview outbound recharge was scary – went 110 miles from full charge and only had 5 mi left at I-5 exit, then 1.5mi, then “critically low, range unknown” by the time I got to the Longview Maple Street charging station. At I-5 exit, battery system made a whole lot of scary sounds. So on the return, I stopped at the Tumwater Shell for 2 hrs to get 30mi back on the pack.

**The 4hr charge at Longview outbound was also scary – got to Woodburn with 7 miles left. Plan to do a 5 hr charge at Longview in the future.
 
Almost forgot - here's the charging stations I used
Charging Stations (all free, all 15mph J1772 (220v @30a=6.6kw).
Longview – 1600 Maple St, Longview, WA 98632. By Lower Columbia College, food nearby. Free, but need Chargepoint app on your phone to activate charger.
Tumwater – 6131 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater WA 98501. Shell station/Mini mart! Food nearby.
Woodburn – 1133 Evergreen Rd, Woodburn. Columbia Bank. Just east of I-5 ramp, food nearby.
 
You missed the good chargers! Tesla years ago installed two 80 amp Roadster chargers on the I-5 corridor. One is at the Burgerville in Centralia and there used to be one in Ferndale, I think, although it’s not showing up on PlugShare anymore. Perhaps someone can comment on the status of the Roadster charger north of Seattle.

PlugShare is the best app as its crowdsourced. Plus you can filter by the type of plug you want, including the rare unicorn Roadster plug.
 
You missed the good chargers! Tesla years ago installed two 80 amp Roadster chargers on the I-5 corridor. One is at the Burgerville in Centralia and there used to be one in Ferndale, I think, although it’s not showing up on PlugShare anymore. Perhaps someone can comment on the status of the Roadster charger north of Seattle.

PlugShare is the best app as its crowdsourced. Plus you can filter by the type of plug you want, including the rare unicorn Roadster plug.
Not to mention Burgerville serve awesome food!!
If I’m not mistaken Tom Saxton may have helped get the Centralia one installed as well as another one in Ellensberg. The one in Ellensberg shows up as having been vandalized on Plugshare :( I just checked PlugShare and the one in Ferndale is still listed but no report of use in a couple of years.
 
2021-11-28 Thanksgiving with the family in Woodburn and Salem (Portland OR area)
My very first road trip. Got the car Nov-23-2021, just in time for family Thanksgivings in Seattle and Oregon.
Visited Sister Cindy in Woodburn, Daughter Aimee and Grandson Harry in Salem).

Free recharges (no $80 round trip gas bill for this visit!). So far I’ve only found 15mph chargers (220v@30a), so the 200mi one-way trip takes 8-9 hrs. Looking for better charging options since I visit family regularly. I have the Tesla 220v, 50a Mobile Charger, hoping to find an RV place or something like that to speed up recharge times.View attachment 771688

Way points – Federal Way I-5 south (to Longview, Portland), then on to family in Woodburn and Salem.

Charge points, outbound – Longview 4hr charge* (adds 80 ideal miles about ¾ charge) gets you to Woodburn**. Woodburn overnight home charge (115v, 15a) was enough to get me to Salem for my daughter and grandson visit. On the return, stopped at the Woodburn Columbia Bank (branch just off Woodburn I-5 exit) to top off the pack since home charging would take too long for a full charge.

Charge points, return – Longview, Tumwater Shell.

* Longview outbound recharge was scary – went 110 miles from full charge and only had 5 mi left at I-5 exit, then 1.5mi, then “critically low, range unknown” by the time I got to the Longview Maple Street charging station. At I-5 exit, battery system made a whole lot of scary sounds. So on the return, I stopped at the Tumwater Shell for 2 hrs to get 30mi back on the pack.

**The 4hr charge at Longview outbound was also scary – got to Woodburn with 7 miles left. Plan to do a 5 hr charge at Longview in the future.
I love reading this “no fear” of range use of your roadster.

I get those critical low battery state warning with my long trips too, even with a R80 pack. I’ve also learned not to do those long drives with a lead foot. I’m constantly comparing miles to destination vs remaining range on the speedometer display(not ideal range display) and adjusting my speed to below speed limits, if needed. I sometime wonder if other drivers are staring at the car or how slow I’m going, haha.

I’ve explored getting a 220v extension cord so I can hijack the dryer plug at the homes I’m visiting.
 
All my long distance drives I try and beat the clock, usually I look for all the destination chargers on my route and where possible I call and ask if I can use them if it’s a hotel. A lot of them on plugshare are happy to let you use them. My get out of jail free is campgrounds, sometimes they charge a nominal fee, sometimes you have to pay for the night. Also on plugshare there are personal chargers, some are Tesla HPWC, you tell them you are turning up in a roadster and most people try and help as much as they can.
 
I love reading this “no fear” of range use of your roadster.

I get those critical low battery state warning with my long trips too, even with a R80 pack. I’ve also learned not to do those long drives with a lead foot. I’m constantly comparing miles to destination vs remaining range on the speedometer display(not ideal range display) and adjusting my speed to below speed limits, if needed. I sometime wonder if other drivers are staring at the car or how slow I’m going, haha.

I’ve explored getting a 220v extension cord so I can hijack the dryer plug at the homes I’m visiting.
Another thought - get the 60 amp Tesla to J1772 adapter for your J1772 cable. Lectron $69.99 on Amazon. I've got a Tesla supercharger station in Federal Way that also does level 2 charging if you have that adapter. I have the 48amp one, works perfectly. I may upgrade to the 60amp one now that it's available. Roadster max is 70amp, but haven't seen any adapters above 60 yet.
 
Another thought - get the 60 amp Tesla to J1772 adapter for your J1772 cable. Lectron $69.99 on Amazon. I've got a Tesla supercharger station in Federal Way that also does level 2 charging if you have that adapter. I have the 48amp one, works perfectly. I may upgrade to the 60amp one now that it's available. Roadster max is 70amp, but haven't seen any adapters above 60 yet.
Sorry, rephrase (not sure what happened): Get a Tesla to J1772 adapter for your J1772 cable. Seems to now be a Lectron $69.99 on Amazon but looks different than the $150 48amp one I got. Just ordered it, I'll let you you if it works (looks different than what I have). There's a Tesla supercharger station in Federal Way near me that also does level 2 charging and my 48amp one, works perfectly. Roadster max is 70amp, but haven't seen any adapters above 60 yet.
 
Sorry, rephrase (not sure what happened): Get a Tesla to J1772 adapter for your J1772 cable. Seems to now be a Lectron $69.99 on Amazon but looks different than the $150 48amp one I got. Just ordered it, I'll let you you if it works (looks different than what I have). There's a Tesla supercharger station in Federal Way near me that also does level 2 charging and my 48amp one, works perfectly. Roadster max is 70amp, but haven't seen any adapters above 60 yet.
Lectron 60amp adapter, $69.99 on Amazon that is...
 
You missed the good chargers! Tesla years ago installed two 80 amp Roadster chargers on the I-5 corridor. One is at the Burgerville in Centralia and there used to be one in Ferndale, I think, although it’s not showing up on PlugShare anymore. Perhaps someone can comment on the status of the Roadster charger north of Seattle.

PlugShare is the best app as its crowdsourced. Plus you can filter by the type of plug you want, including the rare unicorn Roadster plug.
Awesome, I'll check it out on my next trip. The Ilani Casino in Ridgefield has a 6.6kw J1772 charger I've used, plus a gob of Tesala level twos. Now that I have the Tesla to J1772 adapter I plan to check the Tesla ones out too (not much of a gambler, but I'm sure food there is good). Lots of folks at the casino liked my Roadster.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IslandRoadster
Awesome, I'll check it out on my next trip. The Ilani Casino in Ridgefield has a 6.6kw J1772 charger I've used, plus a gob of Tesala level twos. Now that I have the Tesla to J1772 adapter I plan to check the Tesla ones out too (not much of a gambler, but I'm sure food there is good). Lots of folks at the casino liked my Roadster.

I stopped at the casino and tried to charge once only to find all the chargers ICEd. Decided not to try that again. Instead charged on exit to the south. There's an urgent care place with a 30A J1772 there. Slow, but reliable.
 
2021-11-28 Thanksgiving with the family in Woodburn and Salem (Portland OR area)
My very first road trip. Got the car Nov-23-2021, just in time for family Thanksgivings in Seattle and Oregon.
Visited Sister Cindy in Woodburn, Daughter Aimee and Grandson Harry in Salem).

Free recharges (no $80 round trip gas bill for this visit!). So far I’ve only found 15mph chargers (220v@30a), so the 200mi one-way trip takes 8-9 hrs. Looking for better charging options since I visit family regularly. I have the Tesla 220v, 50a Mobile Charger, hoping to find an RV place or something like that to speed up recharge times.View attachment 771688

Way points – Federal Way I-5 south (to Longview, Portland), then on to family in Woodburn and Salem.

Charge points, outbound – Longview 4hr charge* (adds 80 ideal miles about ¾ charge) gets you to Woodburn**. Woodburn overnight home charge (115v, 15a) was enough to get me to Salem for my daughter and grandson visit. On the return, stopped at the Woodburn Columbia Bank (branch just off Woodburn I-5 exit) to top off the pack since home charging would take too long for a full charge.

Charge points, return – Longview, Tumwater Shell.

* Longview outbound recharge was scary – went 110 miles from full charge and only had 5 mi left at I-5 exit, then 1.5mi, then “critically low, range unknown” by the time I got to the Longview Maple Street charging station. At I-5 exit, battery system made a whole lot of scary sounds. So on the return, I stopped at the Tumwater Shell for 2 hrs to get 30mi back on the pack.

**The 4hr charge at Longview outbound was also scary – got to Woodburn with 7 miles left. Plan to do a 5 hr charge at Longview in the future.

Next Trip planned - Columbia Gorge Walking Man Beer Run
Please comment, especially on any charge point improvements you are aware of. Looking for those 48amp Tesla level 2 places...

208 miles one way not counting side trips.

Way points – I-5 south (2), Portland I-84 (160), Bridge of the Gods I-84 (43), Walking Man in Stevens WA (3).

Top Columbia Gorge attractions are Multnomah Falls right on I-84, with many side trips posted on I-84 signs along the way. My favorites are Crown Point and Oneonta Gorge. There’s no sign for the Gorge one, I just learned about it at the Multnomah Falls visitor center.

Crown Point (and Vista House) is before Multnomah Falls:

I-84 hwy30/Corbett exit then 8 miles up a steep scenic hill.

Oneonta Gorge is after Multnomah Falls. To get there continue east on I-84 after Multnomah Falls, take the hwy 30 exit (about 2 miles). Backtrack (west) on 30 about 2mi. Note that 30 is the Historic Columbia River hwy that follows (or is) I-84 a lot but there are limited exits off I-84 to 30.

The gorge goes way back but you can go a few 100 feet, wade and climb across a few fallen logs to enjoy the slot canyon look. It’s a 4 hr round trip, brutal hike over fallen trees, lots of wading and chest high water sometimes, but the waterfall at the end is awesome. Recommend wading shoes plus swimming suit if you plan to do it.
Columbia Gorge Trip.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: eHorses
Charge points – Tumwater Shell (38), Longview Maple St (66), Gee Creek (31), Skamenia Lodge Stevenson (57).

Gee Creek rest area is Northbound I-5 so for the south I-5 outbound, take the Ridgefield exit and backtrack a few miles.

These are all non-Tesla level 2 chargers (6.6kw 220v@30a), so if anyone knows of some Tesla ones let me know. I now have a 48amp Tesla to J1772 so that would save a lot of charge time (36mph vs 22 for me). There’s some level 2 Tesla chargers at the Ilani casino (2nd floor parking), Ridgefield I plan to check out now that I have the adapter.
 
Charge points – Tumwater Shell (38), Longview Maple St (66), Gee Creek (31), Skamenia Lodge Stevenson (57).

Gee Creek rest area is Northbound I-5 so for the south I-5 outbound, take the Ridgefield exit and backtrack a few miles.

These are all non-Tesla level 2 chargers (6.6kw 220v@30a), so if anyone knows of some Tesla ones let me know. I now have a 48amp Tesla to J1772 so that would save a lot of charge time (36mph vs 22 for me). There’s some level 2 Tesla chargers at the Ilani casino (2nd floor parking), Ridgefield I plan to check out now that I have the adapter.
48amp Adaper is $159 Amazon by the way. Haven't seen anything higher, but hopefully there will be one all the way to the 70amp Roadster max my 1772 has someday.
 
Get a Tesla to J1772 adapter for your J1772 cable. Seems to now be a Lectron $69.99 on Amazon but looks different than the $150 48amp one I got. Just ordered it, I'll let you you if it works (looks different than what I have). There's a Tesla supercharger station in Federal Way near me that also does level 2 charging and my 48amp one, works perfectly. Roadster max is 70amp, but haven't seen any adapters above 60 yet.
To be clear, this adapter will not work at a Supercharger stall. What you must mean is that the Federal Way location has some Tesla Destination Chargers also installed, and you use this adapter with them. That would work. It also works to use @hcsharp's CAN SR adapter that adapts right from the Destination Charger cable to the car's charge port.
 
To be clear, this adapter will not work at a Supercharger stall. What you must mean is that the Federal Way location has some Tesla Destination Chargers also installed, and you use this adapter with them. That would work. It also works to use @hcsharp's CAN SR adapter that adapts right from the Destination Charger cable to the car's charge port.
Agree Supercharger won't work on a Roadster, that's why I said "...that also does level 2 charging and my 48amp one, works perfectly.". Guess the proper term is "Destination Charging" when you are talking Tesla charging stations. I see the term "level 2" a lot (especially at J1772 charging stations) and presumed anything not a supercharger is considered "level 2". Guess level 1 is "110 Plug in at home or whatever".

Thanks for the CAN SR tip, I'll check it out. I think the Lectron $69.99 one I ordered on Amazon will actually go from a J1772 charging station (rather than Tesla Destination) to the Tesla car charge port, so that's for the Model 3, S etc, NOT the Roadster.
 
I stopped at the casino and tried to charge once only to find all the chargers ICEd. Decided not to try that again. Instead charged on exit to the south. There's an urgent care place with a 30A J1772 there. Slow, but reliable.
Thanks, always nice to have backups! The Gee Creek Rest stop (9 miles north of Ridgefield on northbound I-5) has a free 30A J1772. Only rest stop on I-5 I know of with a charger. Time to write your congressman!
 
  • Like
Reactions: IslandRoadster