Tesla Road Trip: 1,800 Miles in 3 Days (Case Study)

Want to learn a case study on what it’s like taking an electric vehicle on a road trip? Read the exact steps that I took to learn and use your Tesla for a road trip that is safe and efficient. Here’s how to take a Tesla on a road trip.

While taking my Tesla on a road trip, I wanted to ensure that I had enough information on my economic, environmental, and social impact with my personal impact reporting.

But why stop there?

There’s a ton that I learned during the process of taking a Tesla road trip.

I’ll share those lessons learned to guide you to make your trip more efficient if you are taking a road trip in a Tesla.

How to Take a Tesla on a Road Trip

Let’s get into the exact steps on how to take a Tesla on a road trip efficiently so you can make the most of your electric vehicle experience.

Step 1: Use a Road Trip Planner

Gone are the days of winging a road trip simply by picking a destination on a map. Unfortunately, with EVs, you’ll need to plan your trip around charging stations.

One thing I discovered during my road trip is that there is a ton of opportunity for more charging stations. I’ll be monitoring the viability of EV charging investment opportunities to see how things will develop over time.

That can lead to a new level of spontaneity by finding towns you normally wouldn’t visit.

At the same time, electric vehicles present an interesting approach to software to solve the problem. Maps will re-route your trip based on your remaining battery capacity.

Even with the help of software, you need to plan your trip around charging stations just to be safe. You don’t want to end up in a last-ditch situation of charging on a 1 KW wall (I’ll get to that later).

To plan my road trip in a Tesla, I use the Tesla Trip Planner to get the initial baseline of where superchargers are located.

I wanted to see Mount Rushmore, so I went a different route than suggested and learned from things along the way.

Step 2: Use Other Apps & Tools to Maximize Efficiency

Tesla wants you to use their supercharging stations as well as the destination chargers as much as possible, but don’t stop there. You want to have as many options as possible.

There are plenty of other EV charging networks out there (and that continues to grow). You’ll need to know where to find them, so I use the Plugshare and ChargeHub apps to find other types of charging stations.

Check out a few of my experiences at supercharging stations around the U.S.

Here’s a video of me charging at the Primm, Nevada supercharging station.

I simply input my vehicle type, which is a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, and then I can filter out specific charging stations as I go.

See Related: Tips for Buying a Used Tesla

Step 3: Be Prepared for All Scenarios

You should always have the right adapters and tools with you to succeed on your road trip. There are a ton of variations on the different types of charging stations out there.

There is way more out there than just Tesla destination charging or Tesla superchargers.

Types of Charging Stations

Here are the various types of charging stations along with the well-known companies that own the technology or infrastructure with them.

• Charging outlet
• Charging plug
• Charging port
• Charger
• EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)

Then, there are different levels of charging, such as Level 2 or Level 3 fast charging. The various ports you’ll need to know are:

• Tesla Supercharging Stations
• J1772

Step 4: Always Start Your Day With a Full Charge

The most important thing you need to know is to try to always find a way to keep your EV plugged in on a road trip. You may not always be able to have your car completely plugged in overnight.

But ensure you always have a convenient option nearby, especially on a road trip.

The great thing nowadays is that nearly every Marriott or Holiday Inn has an EV charging station in the parking lot.

See Related: Tesla Auto Loan Overview: How to Get the Best Terms From Tesla

Step 5: Have Fun and Pair Your Charging Time With Something Productive

As you can see from above, I will use a drone while charging to help me build content for my travel website.

Electric vehicles can work and will work. I was shocked by the existing electric vehicle infrastructure out there, but I also saw ample opportunity to expand the infrastructure base and capabilities.

Electric Vehicle Tips for Road Trips

Here are a few tips for taking a road trip in an electric vehicle.

Cost of Doing a Road Trip in a Tesla

Let’s take a look at the cost of a road trip in a Tesla or even any electric vehicle. The cost of a road trip in a Tesla may be more than you think. At least it was for me.

Again, this is a scenario where your cost will vary significantly depending on your situation, such as where you are driving, what you have inside the car, and the type of electric vehicle that you are driving.

For me, I am driving the Tesla Model 3 standard range, so I don’t have a great range.

That means I have to charge more often, hence making it more costly.

In the table below, you can see the total cost of all my charges on my round-trip journey from Minnesota to California and back.

The total cost of the trip was $245.14. You can see the various prices that you pay.

How pricing works with a Tesla supercharger

Superchargers can be free, charged by the minutes used, or on a per-kWh used.

Can you take a Tesla on a road trip?

Yes, you can take a Tesla on a road trip. Many people do just that. Tesla road trips are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people discover the benefits of electric cars.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning a Tesla road trip: 

1. Range anxiety is real, but there’s no need to worry. Just plan your route ahead of time and know where there are Superchargers along the way. With the latest Tesla models, you can easily travel long distances without having to stop for a charge. 
2. You’ll want to pack light since electric cars have less trunk space than traditional gas cars. However, this shouldn’t be a problem since you won’t need to pack any extra gear for your car. 
3. Be prepared for the weather. If you’re traveling in hot weather, keep in mind that your car will require more energy to cool down. In cold weather, your range may be reduced due to battery loss. 
4. Have fun! Road trips are meant to be enjoyable, so make the most of your Tesla road trip. It can be a ton of fun with window viewing on scenic drives as you explore the world. Plus, self-driving or assisted driving makes those boring highways a bit more bearable on a road trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Tesla’s good for road trips?

Yes, Teslas in fact make for great road trip vehicles. Some features that make Tesla’s excellent road trip cars are the industry-leading safety rating, auto-pilot driving, zero emissions, and the ability to save money without purchasing gas.

Can you drive long-distance with a Tesla?

Yes, as a result of our case study of driving 1,899 miles in 3 days, a Tesla can easily be taken on a long-distance road trip.

How long does it take to charge a Tesla?

There are a number of factors that will determine how long it takes to charge a Tesla, including the number of cars on the grid, the size of the charging station, the type of Tesla you drive, the temperature you are in, and many other factors. With a supercharger, a charge typically takes 20-30 minutes. With a destination charger, it can take 3-5 hours.

How do I plan a Tesla road trip?

To plan a road trip in a Tesla, start by using the Tesla Trip Planner to map out where charging stations are located throughout your journey. Use other apps to find other charging stations outside of Tesla destination chargers or superchargers.

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