Exploring Cross-Country Trips with a Tesla: Practical Considerations and Realities

When you own a Tesla car, are you able to go on a cross-country trip as easily as a gas car, retaining the same level of flexibility to go where you want when you want? For example, if you want to see a bunch of national parks, can you do it comfortably? The answer is yes, but with some adjustments to your traditional notions of travel.

Charging Options Beyond Superchargers

First and foremost, if you are truly interested in operating a Tesla at the moment, the only viable long-distance capable EV you have for charging options, aside from Superchargers, are numerous alternatives. Superchargers should indeed be your primary refueling stop on the road, but there is a wide range of other charging options available.

Planning Your Trip: Plot your trip using reliable tools such as RoutePlanner. This will not only tell you the best route but also where to find chargers. There are numerous other charging operations; DuckDuckGo is your friend. You can charge at campgrounds for a fee, many hotels have charging stations, and many places with a standard AC outlet, up to and including Air Conditioner outlets, Dryer connections, and more. The speed at which you charge depends on the circuit used. A 15-amp circuit gives you 6 miles per hour, while a Tesla charger can charge up to 32 miles per hour. Superchargers, of course, are preferred and the fastest. Nominal enroute recharges are less than 20 minutes.

Research and Learning

Take the time to research and learn. Ask someone who owns one. Yes, the paradigm is a little different, but it is nowhere near as bleak as the FUDmongers (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, and Ignorance) would have you believe. Add I to FUD.

And no, an EV or a Tesla EV is not the panacea or the ultimate solution for everyone’s needs. But gather some data, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Paraphrasing Gen Patton, "Take not counsel of FUDmongers."

Challenges and Compromises

The Tesla fanatics will, of course, downvote me into oblivion for being honest, but I’m here to say that charging stations are not nearly as ubiquitous as gas stations. This means there will be compromises. However, if you are willing to do some research before your trip to make sure your route has charging stations along the way, you should be fine. We're still in the early adoption period with EVs, and that comes with compromises. Hopefully, we won't have to ask questions like these 10 years from now, but at this point, this is a valid concern.

Country-Specific Considerations

It also depends on the country and on the amount of time you have for the trip. In Europe, for instance, you can go literally anywhere west of Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. The Supercharger network is pretty dense in Western Europe, and other than in the U.S., your Tesla can be charged at third-party high-power charging stations, sometimes even faster than on Tesla's Superchargers.

In Eastern Europe, however, Superchargers and other high-power charging stations (HPCs) are not as abundant. As a result, you either face restrictions regarding your route or you have to use slow charging spots, maybe even the occasional wall outlet, which only makes sense if you can stay overnight, of course.

The key takeaway is that while a cross-country trip with a Tesla is possible, it requires careful planning and a willingness to adapt. This is a growing and evolving field, and the landscape is continually changing as more charging infrastructure is built. Patience and a bit of research will ensure a pleasant and efficient journey.