Teach me your Roadtrip Ways

I decided to do at least one full roadtrip and I've settled on doing one from Iowa out to my bestie's in California for several parties- I'll be running it in my model 3 and I've allocated 4 days to drive 29 hours to his home over my 2 week vacation. The car has camping modes and I have visors and other blockers, a peltier cooler to keep food cool, a small inverter, and a YMCA membership that should get me shower access- but I want to hear other things I should also plan for to help from others who've done this.

Current idea is to northbound first through North Platte NE and into Wyoming, then Utah, Nevada, then into California. The Return run will be more southbound through New Mexico, Colorado, then back into nebraska- but this *might* change depending on some charger access and what places I can see along the way, since what's the point of a road trip if I don't actually see things?

Spending at least one night in a hotel is a nice mental break, if you can afford it

I try to plan my stops around Costco/Sam's club. They tend to hit the trifecta: cheap gas, clean bathrooms and typically food nearby (or you can hit the food court)

For overnight stops: It's typically better to stop on the far side of a larger city (closer to your final destination) to avoid morning traffic

If you're sleeping in your car, the inflatable camping pillows are clutch. Regular pillows take up a TON of space

If you are driving an electric vehicle through Wyoming and Utah plan charging carefully, it can be a long way between civilization

When I drove from Seattle to Minneapolis, the road through the mountains of Montana wound along a beautiful stream, with someone fly fishing every few miles.  It was like something out of a movie and I was bummed that I was just driving past it. Then I thought, "what am I doing? I have 3 days to get there".  I found a place to pull off and park, hiked down to the stream, and took my shoes off and sat on a rock in the afternoon sun for an hour or so.

You don't have to hit man-made attractions, you will be driving though some beautiful country, stop and enjoy it. 

It doesn't matter how old you are, buying snacks for a road trip should always look like an unsupervised 10-year-old was given $100.

Lawn chair so you can just sit back  and enjoy the view.......

Couple cans of Chili , Stew etc and a hand operated  can opener  if you end up some place without a store open.

Also bread , peanut butter and jelly ....... to be a kid again :)

Does a Tesla have a spare tire ?

Have Fun 

calteg said:

If you're sleeping in your car, the inflatable camping pillows are clutch. Regular pillows take up a TON of space

There are also foam travel pillows that are the size of a toddler pillow, but built for an adult. I use mine for extended periods while camping, and it feels like sleeping on my regular pillow. I think some come with a bag to roll them down into if they need to be packed even smaller.

Long open stretches as said above. If you get near southern UT and need anything, give a shout. 

Can't say enough good things about the inflatable Nemo camping pillow! Awesome for camping, backpacking, air travel, cars...

Usually I would say plan stops overnight where you can charge. If you have the mobile charger, most campgrounds for RVs will have a 14-50 plug you can use if they offer 50A service. You need a different adapter if they only have 30A service, but if it's a 14-30 plug you can try limiting your max amps to 24A via the car screen and it may work. Since you may want to stop at places more remote, I try to factor in where superchargers will be the next morning as running climate overnight can be a considerable drain, especially if it is heating.

My biggest RT tip is a challenge for EVs. Leave time to just go explore. See a wiggle on the map? Go drive it! A person at a diner in town (no fast food or chains allowed on roadtrips of the exploration variety!) mentions a waterfall, go see it!

Edit: Oh, and stop at gas stations to pick up regional snacks! try different brands and styles, maybe you discover you love Pork rinds, Spiedies, or vernors.

Thank you so much guys! Any advice on things like coffee on the way? I still have an old moka pot somewhere...

In reply to bbbbRASS :

Thanks! Hopefully I won't need a 14-30- I only have 14-50 and standard 110v plugs- since the charger network has only increased in time, but I'm absolutely looking to RV Parks for quiet spots. My two different J1772 converters might also get a workout lol

californiamilleghia said:

Lawn chair so you can just sit back  and enjoy the view.......

Couple cans of Chili , Stew etc and a hand operated  can opener  if you end up some place without a store open.

Also bread , peanut butter and jelly ....... to be a kid again :)

Does a Tesla have a spare tire ?

Have Fun 

 

I wish I could fit another spare- you don't realize how small the model 3 is until you put it next to a camry and find the camry is legit ~3 inches longer.

Lots of good tips so far. You're looking at ~8 hours of driving per day. I have found that I like to go "hammer down" early in the morning and knock out about half of my day's distance in one shot and then do the other half at a leisurely "check stuff out" pace. Make sure you have enough food and water (and toilet paper) so that any unplanned stops are nothing more than inconvenient. Take time to look around and don't eat at the same places as you would at home. 

If you haven't yet, read Blue Highways before you go. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Highways

Most importantly, look around and have fun! 

Motojunky said:

I have found that I like to go "hammer down" early in the morning and knock out about half of my day's distance in one shot

In reply to GIRTHQUAKE :

It's amazing some of the random spots I find J plugs, and I think it adds a fun "game" element to the trip. Out west can get few and far between chargers so certainly plan ahead a bit. Do you have a M3LR with good battery, or a SR+/RWD?

GIRTHQUAKE said:

I wish I could fit another spare- you don't realize how small the model 3 is until you put it next to a camry and find the camry is legit ~3 inches longer.

Another chance for camping gear! We've been using a couple older versions of this for several years and they are great (used to be cheaper though). I take them all over, sometimes even in my laptop bag to remote work in a park. Also, between the sub-trunk and Frunk, i find the Model 3 to have a ton of storage space!

I usually just pack all my gear in my camping rolling box. Pre-packed with a tent, bag, small stove, bed mat, and inflatable pillow. All small enough to fit in a backpack if needed. I've travelled a lot of places with that gear. Pick some good spots, be flexible, and enjoy. You have time. 

I've got a 10 day camping/road trip planned in the September to Banff/Jasper through ND, MT, and SD so I'll be using it a lot. If you need anything holler. 

My two main road trip rules.

1. Start out with a fresh bag of twizzler bits

2. No franchise restaurant food

Rent a Suburban so you can sleep comfortably in the back.  Tahoe if you cant find a Burban on the low.

Never have to worry about a charger, cruise in comfort.

Throw the Peltier fridge in your closest dumpster and get one with a 12V compressor, the Peltier fridges are only good for a ~30F drop and thats not enough and they are super inefficient.  If you want to run it overnight, you can on a starting battery IF you run it down to high 20s (will wreck veggies)  while you drive and turn it to 40 when you are parked and let it coast.  Cover it in a heavy blanket if its balls hot when your vehicle off.

Or for 3 days just get a Yeti and ice it down good.  Works fine if you get the sandwich tray and keep everything but the beer above the water line.  Ice can be sourced from McDonalds or your local watering hole.  Go in, get a burger and a beer, and ask them if you can refill your cooler when you are settling the bill.  Ive never had anyone tell me no.