3323 mile round trip Northern AZ to LA to Vancouver, WA -- Fantastic vehicle.

[SpaceEVDriver]

Could you share where the elevation graph comes from? Is that something you can get before starting your trip?

I lay out my route using Google's My Maps website (ahead of time or after--it is independent of the actual trip). I then export that to KML/KMZ and open it in Google Earth, which allows me to show the elevation profile (by right-clicking on the route). I think ABRP can also do something similar, but I find it to be less usable than others seem to. Google Earth has a built-in "get directions" capability, but it's not as robust as Google Maps.

You can also use CarScanner to track your actual route, including elevation--it can pull the GPS data from the truck (or phone? I'm not certain). But I don't like the way CarScanner requires the phone to keep the dashboard onscreen while recording, so I've stopped using it except for short, specific uses. If you do use CarScanner, you can export a CSV file with the data and import those into Google Earth, QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.

For the purposes of sharing a trip on a forum, I find the first method a lot quicker and less work. For the purposes of being a data nerd, I find the second method to be more accurate to the actual trip.

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[Maxx]

I lay out my route using Google's My Maps website (ahead of time or after--it is independent of the actual trip). I then export that to KML/KMZ and open it in Google Earth, which allows me to show the elevation profile (by right-clicking on the route). I think ABRP can also do something similar, but I find it to be less usable than others seem to. Google Earth has a built-in "get directions" capability, but it's not as robust as Google Maps.

You can also use CarScanner to track your actual route, including elevation--it can pull the GPS data from the truck (or phone? I'm not certain). But I don't like the way CarScanner requires the phone to keep the dashboard onscreen while recording, so I've stopped using it except for short, specific uses. If you do use CarScanner, you can export a CSV file with the data and import those into Google Earth, QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.

For the purposes of sharing a trip on a forum, I find the first method a lot quicker and less work. For the purposes of being a data nerd, I find the second method to be more accurate to the actual trip.

This is very helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

This is very helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain.

I would be happy to go into more detail if needed.

 

[PJnc284]

Google maps will also give you a general idea of the elevation changes if you select bike for mode of transportation. And wow 2.5mi/kWh@72? I'm thrilled if I manage 1.8@70 here in flat eastern NC.

 

[Maxx]

I would be happy to go into more detail if needed.

I already duplicated your process with Goggle earth for some of the trips I may take and and seeing 1000 ft elevation increase right before a planned supercharger stop is a bit of an eye opener for a visual person like me. I may start using My Map more extensively for my trips in future. Thanks again.

 

[HitchRide]

Great information! I completed a round trip from Seattle to Palm Desert a month ago and roughly figured I broke even on energy cost (given a few campsites and a free overnight charge at a hotel in Fort Bragg). However, I can’t understate how much damn fun it is 1.) Driving the Lightning on some demanding roads such as up/down to Sequoia Nat Park or stretches of hwy 1 at night with low traffic. 2.) Pulling into small towns for level 2 top-offs while enjoying some World Series tv and chatting it up at local establishments. Not to mention taking in some local site seeing walks while juicing up. I have found that these have become my favorite attributes to ev road tripping. Would I recommend an ev to anyone on a tighter schedule for long distance driving? No way

 

[davehu]

Thanks for breaking that down.

At $0.397/kWh while using paid fast-chargers, that's about the same price as buying gas.

It's honestly a bit disappointing that the charge providers charge so much for electricity and it negates the "value" aspect of EVs when road tripping.

I can understand 40 cents per kWh in California where electricity is priced like champagne, but in low cost electricity states, why is it so high?

you have to remember that the Lightning isn't very efficient using energy, either gas or electric. Also EV owners are paying extra for the speed of "filling the "tank". ICE drivers pay no penalty. With my Lightning getting around 2 miles/kw on trips, electricity costs are pretty much on par with gasoline. The advantages of EV's remain huge for those able to charge at home. If you have to use DCFC's fuel savings are small at best.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Great information! I completed a round trip from Seattle to Palm Desert a month ago and roughly figured I broke even on energy cost (given a few campsites and a free overnight charge at a hotel in Fort Bragg). However, I can’t understate how much damn fun it is 1.) Driving the Lightning on some demanding roads such as up/down to Sequoia Nat Park or stretches of hwy 1 at night with low traffic. 2.) Pulling into small towns for level 2 top-offs while enjoying some World Series tv and chatting it up at local establishments. Not to mention taking in some local site seeing walks while juicing up. I have found that these have become my favorite attributes to ev road tripping. Would I recommend an ev to anyone on a tighter schedule for long distance driving? No way

I wouldn't recommend someone with a tight schedule on a long distance trip drive at all; I'd recommend they fly. Road tripping to me is as much about the drive as it is about the destination.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

you have to remember that the Lightning isn't very efficient using energy, either gas or electric. Also EV owners are paying extra for the speed of "filling the "tank". ICE drivers pay no penalty. With my Lightning getting around 2 miles/kw on trips, electricity costs are pretty much on par with gasoline. The advantages of EV's remain huge for those able to charge at home. If you have to use DCFC's fuel savings are small at best.

I pay less while road tripping in the Lightning than I did in the Tacoma and certainly less than I would in an F-150 gas truck.

 

[Sherm]

The wife and I drive to South Padre from NE Iowa in February. This will be our third trip in the Lightning. First time down was stressful. The way back less. Second year trip was a breeze, and this trip will be even better, with Tesla stations and a more laid-back trip planning.

It is 1,500 one way and we’re on the road for 30 hours. The 30 hours includes 4hrs of breaks for charging, food, walks and restrooms. We also try to stay at hotels with overnight charging. On average we drive 7.5hrs a day taking the break/charge around every 2.5hrs or so.

We found this style very relaxing and much more interesting than the get-there-asap style. We’re old but still married over 50 years. Dam near divorced on the first trip down.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The wife and I drive to South Padre from NE Iowa in February. This will be our third trip in the Lightning. First time down was stressful. The way back less. Second year trip was a breeze, and this trip will be even better, with Tesla stations and a more laid-back trip planning.

It is 1,500 one way and we’re on the road for 30 hours. The 30 hours includes 4hrs of breaks for charging, food, walks and restrooms. We also try to stay at hotels with overnight charging. On average we drive 7.5hrs a day taking the break/charge around every 2.5hrs or so.

We found this style very relaxing and much more interesting than the get-there-asap style. We’re old but still married over 50 years. Dam near divorced on the first trip down.

We find taking road trips for the journey to be far more relaxing than rushing to get somewhere. Again, if I need to be somewhere in a hurry, I fly. Just got home from a trip to DC. I didn't have the time to enjoy a drive from Arizona to DC, so I flew.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

The wife and I drive to South Padre from NE Iowa in February. This will be our third trip in the Lightning. First time down was stressful. The way back less. Second year trip was a breeze, and this trip will be even better, with Tesla stations and a more laid-back trip planning.

It is 1,500 one way and we’re on the road for 30 hours. The 30 hours includes 4hrs of breaks for charging, food, walks and restrooms. We also try to stay at hotels with overnight charging. On average we drive 7.5hrs a day taking the break/charge around every 2.5hrs or so.

We found this style very relaxing and much more interesting than the get-there-asap style. We’re old but still married over 50 years. Dam near divorced on the first trip down.

Glad to hear it's relaxing! Thank you for being a part of the Ford family.

 

[Voyagertwelve]

Hopefully you got a pizza at Leonardo’s when you were in Vancouver.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Hopefully you got a pizza at Leonardo’s when you were in Vancouver.

We did! They got our order wrong. Still, good pizza.

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