Bay Area to Tahoe on a single charge in winter?

[Seano]

All I know is from Phx to Showlow AZ, there’s a climb to about 6400ft. And from 100% to drive 160 miles, it ate 270 miles worth of range. Using the nav and ABRP they were almost 30% off.

Did you set ABRP to use live data from the Rivian and live weather? You can also adjust extra weight and speeds in there, all of which may help?

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[SRO]

I’ve read that people are doing it but was wondering if anyone makes it around d 200mi up the mountains in Winter snowy conditions with all-terrain tires (necessary under those conditions)? I have a quad, large battery running ‘21s with all-terrain and it feels very unlikely. I have an opportunity to move to a max battery tr-motor or dual motor and might do it if I can make the Tahoe run without stopping.

There are a couple of EVgos next to 50 at Raley’s on Eldorado Hills Blvd east of Sac. Very convenient.

 

[roketdog]

I have a Quad R1T with 20" Pirelli's and there's no way.

I've driven to South Lake Tahoe via Hwy 80 & 50 numerous times in both summer and winter and there's no way to get up there without a charge stop from where I am. I typically leave my house in the Palo Alto area with 85% SoC and get into Placerville with 25-35%. Recharge up to 80% and then get into South Lake with about 30-40% remaining. From Placerville to South Lake is only about 65 miles but there's about 6,000 feet of elevation and some of it is multiple miles of 6% grade. There really isn't any where to charge in the last 30 miles.

I haven't done the drive to North lake but the elevation gain is about the same and it's a faster road.

My recommendation is to plan for a stop in the Sacramento area and don't stress over it.

Great summary. I just did the same drive from Los Gatos to SLT, and stopped over at the new RAN charger in Placerville in the target parking lot. I drive a Dual Max Battery with 20” AT’s. I am fairly confident I could make it up on a single charge, but there are so many variables on that road I don’t want the stress If I’m stuck behind traffic. A 15 min stop was more than enough charge, and it gives the family ample time for bathroom break, snack shopping, and back on the road. If I didn’t precondition my battery I would have had a much higher efficiency average, so I will not be doing that in the future.

 

[elatrickWheels]

21s with AT tires? Which tires are those?
I do that journey often. You can make it back downhill in one shot for sure if your bladder can last that long.
On the way up, treat yourself to a coffee somewhere along the way while the vehicle is charging.

 

[Zorg]

If going north lake/Truckee, stop in Auburn, it's a quick stop.

 

[Singletracker]

If the one is heading to SLT on hwy 50, there are plenty of good charging options. Why bother to try and make it non-stop. Once you get past Sacramento, there is a new RAN charger, as well as a Tesla charger, right off the freeway in Placerville. Further up the hill, just east of Pollock Pines/Sly Park, there is a Tesla charger right on the highway at Fresh Pond. While the Placerville chargers can be a little busy, I have never seen more than two cars at the Fresh Pond chargers. Of course, if one makes it to the top of Echo Summit, you can literally coast down to a Tesla charger in Meyers, but it seems to be a little busier, when I have gone by it.

 

[R1Yes]

Dual Large here, so not the same, but while we might be able to make it all the way, we always stop once for a quick charge—both for peace of mind and because everyone in the car wants a break.

We stop in Roseville, which has a big Tesla spot and a well-maintained EA spot right off 80.

On the way home, on the other hand, we make it to San Jose without stopping with plenty of charge left

 

[Ingo B]

My observations in response to a different thread.

 

[nickatnitetonite]

I have R1T Large pack, 20" AT. On my Pirellis, I made it from SSF to the EA charger in South Lake Tahoe without stopping last winter. Conditions were nice though as I avoid driving up in a blizzard and I was traveling between 70-75 on the freeway on conserve mode and used driver assist before getting to Auburn where I took over driving. I always leave the house at 100% and the car is warmed up via the outlet.

I just swapped to the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 and went to Tahoe last weekend. I left SSF at 100% and got to the Truckee RAN with 12% battery left. I stopped so the family could rest and get some coffee but I definitely would have made my destination at King's Beach without the stop. Again, conditions were cold but nice.

 

[PaythePiper]

Did you set ABRP to use live data from the Rivian and live weather? You can also adjust extra weight and speeds in there, all of which may help?

Yeah I had the live stuff going. Weather was fine, nothing to really affect range. Wasn’t that windy either. I’ve done the trip twice now and both times it was way off. Luckily my max pack was enough. The nav was very similar results.

 

[Mkreaden]

I have a Tri R1S with 22” Nokian studded winter tires. I have driven from Sunnyvale to Truckee (225mi) 4 times this winter without needing to charge. I arrive with around 15% SoC (from 100%). I use conserve mode until Auburn, and then switch to All Purpose or Snow mode depending upon conditions. I have done this during the last big storm, and waited for about an hour in Baxter for the road to reopen. Going the other way I reliably arrive with around 38% SoC

 

[Seano]

I have a Tri R1S with 22” Nokian studded winter tires. I have driven from Sunnyvale to Truckee (225mi) 4 times this winter without needing to charge. I arrive with around 15% SoC (from 100%). I use conserve mode until Auburn, and then switch to All Purpose or Snow mode depending upon conditions. I have done this during the last big storm, and waited for about an hour in Baxter for the road to reopen. Going the other way I reliably arrive with around 38% SoC

Nice! Great info - its why we opted to bump up to the Gen 2 from Gen 1 living down here in the So Bay. I'm going to give it a try next trip as I'll be flying solo and no need for anyone to stop.

 

[mmbmca]

Did the drive to Incline Vilage Tahoe on President's day weekend with a 2024 Gen 1 Dual Large , to stay on the safe side charge. There's a new Costo on Loomis with EA. Chargers $0.46/kwh rather than the $0.64 at RAN

 

[TahoeRiv]

I live in South Lake Tahoe and have a dual large at.
I have driven up over Echo summit more times than I would like to count. I can tell you it will take 30-35% from Placerville into town, depending on speed and temp.
I’ve gone from Santa Rosa to here, but never tried without stopping to top up a bit. Not sure I would want to try to make it, never know what can happen in the mountains. Going west absolutely no problem making it. Like others have said Ran, Tesla, and EA in Placerville. There is one ChargePoint in Pollock Pines and a Tesla a bit further up in Fresh Pond.

 

[Erik+]

I have R1T Large pack, 20" AT. On my Pirellis, I made it from SSF to the EA charger in South Lake Tahoe without stopping last winter. Conditions were nice though as I avoid driving up in a blizzard and I was traveling between 70-75 on the freeway on conserve mode and used driver assist before getting to Auburn where I took over driving. I always leave the house at 100% and the car is warmed up via the outlet.

I just swapped to the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 and went to Tahoe last weekend. I left SSF at 100% and got to the Truckee RAN with 12% battery left. I stopped so the family could rest and get some coffee but I definitely would have made my destination at King's Beach without the stop. Again, conditions were cold but nice.

Finally someone willing to stretch the limits a little!

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