🚗 **Epic Journey Cancelled: New York to LA in an F-150 Lightning! Seeking Enthusiasts and Supporters!

[antimatterparticle]

Hello fellow EV and F-150 enthusiasts!

I am excited to share a thrilling adventure I'm about to embark upon: a coast-to-coast drive from New York to LA in my F-150 Lightning. Yes, you read that right!

Having spent a year with my beloved Lightning, I've come to truly appreciate its power, capabilities, and the statement it makes for sustainable travel. This journey isn't just a test of the truck's endurance, but a celebration of the the F-150, the landscapes of our beautiful country, and the communities that connect them.

**Why This Journey?**

1. **Trailblazing Travel**: This will be one of the first recorded journeys of its kind in an F-150 Lightning. It's history in the making!

2. **Showcasing EV Capabilities**

3. **Connecting Communities**: Along the route, I'm eager to meet fellow enthusiasts, local communities, and anyone interested in sustainable travel.

**How Can You Be a Part of This Adventure?**

1. **Sponsorships & Support**: I am seeking sponsors and patrons to support this trip. This is a unique marketing opportunity for businesses and a fun project for individuals to back.

2. **Meet-ups**: Planning some pit stops along the way! Would love to connect, share stories, and maybe even host mini EV showcases.

3. **Online Engagement**: There will be a dedicated website to track the journey, complete with a blog, photo gallery, and live updates.

I genuinely believe this isn't just my journey; it's ours. It's a statement about sustainable travel, the future of EVs, and the spirit of adventure that unites us all. Whether you're a fellow Lightning owner, an EV enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good road trip story - I invite you to be a part of this.

Drop a comment below if you're as excited as I am, have suggestions for the route, or want to be involved in any way. Let's make this journey memorable together!

Introductory Video:




Update 9/9/2023:

Journey Update: My Route from NY to LA in the F-150 Lightning!

After meticulously researching and weighing various options, I've chalked out the perfect route for my electric adventure. Here's a sneak peek of where I'll be stopping and what I'll be up to:

September 20th: Starting my journey in the bustling city of New York and heading straight to the vibrant streets of Cleveland. Anticipating some great sights and hoping to meet fellow EV enthusiasts along the way!

September 21nd: Leaving Cleveland behind to visit the Ford EV Plant in Dearborn, Michigan. After getting a firsthand look at where the magic happens, it's off to the Windy City, Chicago!

September 22rd & 24th: Setting my sights westward, I'll be driving from Chicago to the iconic Mount Rushmore. Expecting this leg of the journey to be filled with majestic views and unforgettable memories.

September 26th: No road trip would be complete without a stop at the breathtaking Yellowstone National Park. Looking forward to soaking in its natural beauty.

September 28th: Vegas VACATION! Excited to experience the electrifying energy of this city and maybe even trying my luck at a casino or two. (Griswold style)

September 30th: The final destination, Los Angeles. Arriving in the City of Angels with countless memories.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos from the road. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me!

 

[MacMike]

Hello fellow EV and F-150 enthusiasts!

I am excited to share a thrilling adventure I'm about to embark upon: a coast-to-coast drive from New York to LA in my F-150 Lightning. Yes, you read that right!

Having spent a year with my beloved Lightning, I've come to truly appreciate its power, capabilities, and the statement it makes for sustainable travel. This journey isn't just a test of the truck's endurance, but a celebration of the the F-150, the landscapes of our beautiful country, and the communities that connect them.

**Why This Journey?**

1. **Trailblazing Travel**: This will be one of the first recorded journeys of its kind in an F-150 Lightning. It's history in the making!

2. **Showcasing EV Capabilities**

3. **Connecting Communities**: Along the route, I'm eager to meet fellow enthusiasts, local communities, and anyone interested in sustainable travel.

**How Can You Be a Part of This Adventure?**

1. **Sponsorships & Support**: I am seeking sponsors and patrons to support this trip. This is a unique marketing opportunity for businesses and a fun project for individuals to back.

2. **Meet-ups**: Planning some pit stops along the way! Would love to connect, share stories, and maybe even host mini EV showcases.

3. **Online Engagement**: There will be a dedicated website to track the journey, complete with a blog, photo gallery, and live updates.

I genuinely believe this isn't just my journey; it's ours. It's a statement about sustainable travel, the future of EVs, and the spirit of adventure that unites us all. Whether you're a fellow Lightning owner, an EV enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good road trip story - I invite you to be a part of this.

Drop a comment below if you're as excited as I am, have suggestions for the route, or want to be involved in any way. Let's make this journey memorable together!

Good luck on your adventure. It should be no problem.

This past June I did my USA trip from Texas. It lasted three weeks and over 10,000 miles going to west and east coasts with no problems. I say no problems but a pain with the EA charging network.

A nice app I found online is the Bluelane tracker. This app will track your driving and you can send a link to friends and family so they can follow your trip. I attached a pic of my trip.

 

[F150ROD]

Good Luck! I suggest you take a look at TLF’s journey to Alaska in the Lightning if you haven’t already, it’s a good “documentary”

 

[kstype]

Hi there!

So are you involved with our NorthEast Lightning Owners Club? If not you should be!

https://www.lightningclubsofamerica.org/

I will send you a DM.

 

[kstype]

What dates are you planning this?

 

[astricklin]

Good Luck! I suggest you take a look at TLF’s journey to Alaska in the Lightning if you haven’t already, it’s a good “documentary”

Going to Alaska is uniquely different than crossing the contiguous USA.

 

[F150ROD]

Going to Alaska is uniquely different than crossing the contiguous USA.

Agreed, it's a bit more challenging going to Alaska. NY to LA should be a good one too though.

 

[Peddyr]

Good luck on your trip!!! Keep your eye out for these two rascals

 

[4Reeley]

Is that your exact route in post #1? Details or at least highlighted destinations along the route would be helpful to let us know if we’re within reasonable distance.

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

1. **Trailblazing Travel**: This will be one of the first recorded journeys of its kind in an F-150 Lightning. It's history in the making!

Errr... I am trying to wrap my head around this claim. There are MANY people on this forum who have driven their Lightnings cross-country, a few towing trailers. Personally, I have nearly 15K miles on my SR Pro, and roughly half of that is on long-distance (500+ mile) trips, including four trips of 1500+ miles. Judging from your map, this trip will be made mostly on or near interstate highways where DC fast charging stations are now relatively common. Honestly, the only challenging thing about the trip will be relying on ElectrifyAmerica chargers to be in working order (good luck with that).

Here is what I'd actually be interested to hear about: Lightning owners (especially SR models) who deliberately planned trips into EV deserts and lived to tell about it. For example, I did a ±500 mile loop through rural Arkansas - which probably has less EV infrastructure than most Third World countries. Sure, I saw very low double digits on the range GOM, but I completed the trip without mishap through some beautiful countryside, much of it in the Ouachita Mountains.

I am currently trying to figure out how to cross from Las Vegas, through Death Valley, to California 395. In a perfect world, I'd then go up to Lee Vining and then head east through Yosemite. THAT is going to take some careful planning and the patience to spend time at a couple Level 2 chargers.

 

[antimatterparticle]

Is that your exact route in post #1? Details or at least highlighted destinations along the route would be helpful to let us know if we’re within reasonable distance.

I just updated the first post with the my planned route. At this point dates and final route are not final yet.

 

[hturnerfamily]

One of the primary drawbacks to long-distance driving in the LIGHTNING, and well ANY EV, is that the way the Charging of the vehicle, the charging 'curve', is LIMITED, by the manufacturer. Now, maybe for good reason, but I would like to see an option to 'bypass' the internal 'Charging' speed limit from the vehicle, when the time to really 'fast charge' is needed, especially when you hit 80-90%... that's when the wheels fall off, and you go from 'fast' charging, to 'crawling'... nobody wants to wait on you for that.

When you plan a trip of any magnitude, one thing jumps to the front of the line: Your Charge PERCENTAGE when you leave each DC Fast charger. Rarely will you EVER be able to have the patience to WAIT for the crawl from 80-90%, and almost Certainly NEVER from 90-100%, EVEN IF YOU NEED THAT MUCH TO GET TO THE NEXT POINT.

While I've laughed many times at Level 2 240v Chargers sitting unused next to DC Fast Chargers, I'm starting to think that the infrastructure needs them, or better yet, needs us to move from the DC Fast Charger, to the slower Level 2 charger, to get that last 10-20% of total 'fill' of power that we might need. Electrify America has none. EVgo has none. Chargepoint is the only stations that I have encountered that have Level 2 in most of those same locations. Now, I'd rather NEVER have to use one, but if I knew the SPEED of the Level 2 was the same as the slowed-down speed of the DC Fast charger when I hit 80-90% battery capacity, I might just move out of someone's way and plug in there, instead: It'd probably be a lot cheaper, too.

Now, maybe we need an 'in-between' type of Fast Charger option - not a full blown 'DC' unit, but a 240v Unit nearby that can offer speeds of 80amps... like the Ford PRO Charger unit that some of us may have. If it's just as 'fast' as the DC Fast Charger's 'slow-down' speed at those levels, maybe that would an idea where you could 'fast charge' to 80%, then move over to complete your charge where the 240v unit would basically be the same 'slower' speed - also keeping you out of the way of others, and giving you a more 'relaxed' slow-speed charging affair. Take your time. Go shopping. Go to supper... whatever works, because now you are probably not holding anyone else up.

Sometimes we need to get to 100% to get where we are going. There should be a better answer to that.

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

While I've laughed many times at Level 2 240v Chargers sitting unused next to DC Fast Chargers, I'm starting to think that the infrastructure needs them, or better yet, needs us to move from the DC Fast Charger, to the slower Level 2 charger, to get that last 10-20% of total 'fill' of power that we might need. Electrify America has none. EVgo has none. Chargepoint is the only stations that I have encountered that have Level 2 in most of those same locations. Now, I'd rather NEVER have to use one, but if I knew the SPEED of the Level 2 was the same as the slowed-down speed of the DC Fast charger when I hit 80-90% battery capacity, I might just move out of someone's way and plug in there, instead: It'd probably be a lot cheaper, too.

Now, maybe we need an 'in-between' type of Fast Charger option - not a full blown 'DC' unit, but a 240v Unit nearby that can offer speeds of 80amps... like the Ford PRO Charger unit that some of us may have. If it's just as 'fast' as the DC Fast Charger's 'slow-down' speed at those levels, maybe that would an idea where you could 'fast charge' to 80%, then move over to complete your charge where the 240v unit would basically be the same 'slower' speed - also keeping you out of the way of others, and giving you a more 'relaxed' slow-speed charging affair. Take your time. Go shopping. Go to supper... whatever works, because now you are probably not holding anyone else up.

As a long-time developer and real estate consultant, I have become increasingly interested in the relationship between EV charging and site/economic development, and have begun researching and writing an article (or series of articles) on the subject.

For better or worse, EV charging is a bit more complicated than gassing up an ICE vehicle. So far, site operators and local/state governments have shown a sad lack of sophistication when it comes to making good choices of what kind of chargers to deploy, and where. To make matters worse, the US is far behind other countries like Norway on the development of combined gas/EV travel centers that would make the charging experience actually pleasant. For example, here is a real Circle K stop in Norway; it begs the question - why can't we have this here?

As for DCFC vs Level 2 - combining them, as is sometimes the case at ChargePoint locations, makes a certain amount of sense. But what makes even more sense are smart decisions about what kind of chargers go with a particular site. For example, the Circle K DCFC-only station above is best suited for interstate/major travel corridors. Level 2 chargers, on the other hand, are best deployed at destinations such as hotels, restaurants, retail centers, and attractions where your stay will be measured in hours. It would be especially nice to see "fast Level 2" chargers - 10 kW or more - at these locations; they are much less expensive to purchase and install than DCFC, but in a matter of a few hours can add significant range to an EV. Of course, part of this is dependent on vehicle capability - Lightnings are limited to about 11 kW (SR) and 19 (ER) for AC Level 2 charging, which is actually the fastest among currently sold EVs.

 

[antimatterparticle]

As a long-time developer and real estate consultant, I have become increasingly interested in the relationship between EV charging and site/economic development, and have begun researching and writing an article (or series of articles) on the subject.

For better or worse, EV charging is a bit more complicated than gassing up an ICE vehicle. So far, site operators and local/state governments have shown a sad lack of sophistication when it comes to making good choices of what kind of chargers to deploy, and where. To make matters worse, the US is far behind other countries like Norway on the development of combined gas/EV travel centers that would make the charging experience actually pleasant. For example, here is a real Circle K stop in Norway; it begs the question - why can't we have this here?

As for DCFC vs Level 2 - combining them, as is sometimes the case at ChargePoint locations, makes a certain amount of sense. But what makes even more sense are smart decisions about what kind of chargers go with a particular site. For example, the Circle K DCFC-only station above is best suited for interstate/major travel corridors. Level 2 chargers, on the other hand, are best deployed at destinations such as hotels, restaurants, retail centers, and attractions where your stay will be measured in hours. It would be especially nice to see "fast Level 2" chargers - 10 kW or more - at these locations; they are much less expensive to purchase and install than DCFC, but in a matter of a few hours can add significant range to an EV. Of course, part of this is dependent on vehicle capability - Lightnings are limited to about 11 kW (SR) and 19 (ER) for AC Level 2 charging, which is actually the fastest among currently sold EVs.

I will not be talking much about the charging network. This is all about the journey and the vehicle.

 

[antimatterparticle]

Here is a link to an Introductory Video.



Please don't be to judgmental as I am new with this

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