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

Updated on September 17, 2024

Our posts may contain links from our affiliate partners. This supports helps support the site as we donate 10% of all profits to sustainability organizations that align with our values. However, this does not influence our opinions or ratings. Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.

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.

Table of Contents

  • How to Take a Tesla on a Road Trip
  • Step 1: Use a Road Trip Planner
  • Step 2: Use Other Apps & Tools to Maximize Efficiency
  • Step 3: Be Prepared for All Scenarios
  • Step 4: Always Start Your Day With a Full Charge
  • Step 5: Have Fun and Pair Your Charging Time With Something Productive
  • Electric Vehicle Tips for Road Trips
  • Cost of Doing a Road Trip in a Tesla
  • How pricing works with a Tesla supercharger
  • Can you take a Tesla on a road trip?
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Are Tesla’s good for road trips?
  • Can you drive long-distance with a Tesla?
  • How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
  • How do I plan a Tesla road trip?
  • Related Resources

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.

Tesla Road Trip Route

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

Tesla charging in Zion National Park
Here’s the Tesla charging in Zion National Park

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.

Tesla at night with moon

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.

LocationTypeCostCharge Calc
Albert Lea, MNSupercharging4.3719 kWh @ $0.23/kWh
Dows, IASupercharging8.840 kWh @ $0.22/kWh
West Des Moines, IASupercharging8.1437 kWh @ $0.22/kWh
Bethany, MOSupercharging6.7232 kWh @ $0.21/kWh
Emporia, KSSupercharging4.6612 min @ $0.12/min
Wichita, KSSupercharging5.520 min @ $0.11/min
Perry, OKSupercharging3.0814 kWh @ $0.22/kWh
Oklahoma City, OKSupercharging8.3638 kWh @ $0.22/kWh
Weatherford, OKSupercharging3.7417 kWh @ $0.22/kWh
Shamrock, TXSupercharging3.199 min @ $0.11/min
Amarillo, TXFree Supercharging0
Tucumcari, NMSupercharging1.687 kWh @ $0.24/kWh
Santa Rosa, NMSupercharging8.435 kWh @ $0.24/kWh
Albuquerque, NMSupercharging9.640 kWh @ $0.24/kWh
Gallup, NMSupercharging9.640 kWh @ $0.24/kWh
Holbrook, AZSupercharging9.538 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Flagstaff, AZSupercharging728 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Tusayan, AZSupercharging0.251 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Tusayan, AZSupercharging9.2537 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Sedona, AZSupercharging7.2529 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
New River, AZSupercharging3.2513 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Phoenix, AZSupercharging4.518 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Palm Springs, CASupercharging5.616 kWh @ $0.35/kWh
Palm Springs, CASupercharging1.755 kWh @ $0.35/kWh
Twentynine Palms, CASupercharging8.424 kWh @ $0.35/kWh
Primm, NVSupercharging8.730 kWh @ $0.29/kWh
St. George, UTSupercharging7.530 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Beaver, UTSupercharging936 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Nephi, UTSupercharging3.7515 kWh @ $0.25/kWh
Evanston, WYSupercharging5.4
Rock Springs, WYSupercharging7.72
Rawlins, WYSupercharging7.620 min @ $0.13/min
Evansville, WYSupercharging7.4119 min @ $0.13/min
Lusk, WYSupercharging5.8821 min @ $0.12/min
Wall, SDSupercharging6.8419 min @ $0.12/min
Murdo, SDSupercharging4.47
Oacoma, SDSupercharging4.428 min @ $0.11/min
Mitchell, SDSupercharging5.9925 min @ $0.12/min
Sioux Falls, SDSupercharging0.484 min @ $0.12/min
Sioux Falls, SDSupercharging3.8432 min @ $0.12/min
Worthington, MNSupercharging2.76
Sherburn, MNSupercharging10.8147 kWh @ $0.23/kWh
TOTAL$245.14

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.
Tesla in Joshua Tree

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.

Related Resources

  • ESG vs SRI vs Impact Investing
  • History of Impact Investing
  • What is a Quadruple Bottom Line?
923d95e062b28f617965ee8eee7a115bc3a2913e65cff2bdf19668d7ac8b3174?s=100&d=identicon&r=g
The Impact Investor

Kyle Kroeger, esteemed Purdue University alum and accomplished finance professional, brings a decade of invaluable experience from diverse finance roles in both small and large firms. An astute investor himself, Kyle adeptly navigates the spheres of corporate and client-side finance, always guiding with a principal investor’s sharp acumen.

Hailing from a lineage of industrious Midwestern entrepreneurs and creatives, his business instincts are deeply ingrained. This background fuels his entrepreneurial spirit and underpins his commitment to responsible investment. As the Founder and Owner of The Impact Investor, Kyle fervently advocates for increased awareness of ethically invested funds, empowering individuals to make judicious investment decisions.

Striving to marry financial prudence with positive societal impact, Kyle imparts practical strategies for saving and investing, underlined by a robust ethos of conscientious capitalism. His ambition transcends personal gain, aiming instead to spark transformative global change through the power of responsible investment.

When not immersed in finance, he’s continually captivated by the cultural richness of new cities, relishing the opportunity to learn from diverse societies. This passion for travel is eloquently documented on his site, ViaTravelers.com, where you can delve into his unique experiences via his author profile. Read more about Kyle’s portfolio of projects. 

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