First Big Test of SuperCharger Access Has Arrived

[TexasBob]

The Thanksgiving weekend will be the first big test of the SC network being open to non-Teslas. In the best of times, stations are jammed during the holidays, but now there will be lots of folks taking up two stalls with RIvians and Fords and GMs etc. I have to take a 550 mile road trip on Sunday and I am dreading it. As I write this, ABRP is showing a couple of the critical SCs on the route with 0/8 and 1/6 stalls available. Anyone with first hand experience on how it is going out there?

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[ndmiller]

Plan ahead and DO NOT stick only to superchargers, that's a recipe for disaster. Have a backup plan with another brand.

I've been on 1/2 dozen trips with my adapter and only used Superchargers on half of them. Other trips they were full/busy, not near food or convenience, or there were better options near better food or convenience.

 

[COdogman]

 

[Tarkus]

I'm in West Florida, just 20 mins north of Tampa Bay, visiting family for Thanksgiving & went to a Tesla Charge Station at a Wawa (Port Richey) for lunch today to top off for the trip tomorrow to dinner & had no issues

 

[1T2022]

that yellow color is really nice. Gone.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Just completed a 2k mile road trip from east TN to NW Wisconsin and had no issues. Infrastructure has gotten significantly better since I took the same route last year.

 

[HaveBlue]

For memory lane...

 

[bfilippo]

Maybe because I’m on the east coast, but we’ve never had an issue charging on road trips to Quebec and points south along the coast with the Tesla, and can’t imagine it would be any different with the Rivian.

I’ll be driving the Tesla to Indianapolis in December, 1200 miles each way. Wish me luck!

 

[electricRaptor]

I should make a post about my adventure, but over the last week I moved from Tucson, AZ to Arlington, VA in my T. Did it in about 6 days, including two days in Austin and two nights in Nashville. Stopped at a bajillion Tesla Superchargers, as well as a slew of Rivian/EVGo/EA chargers. Rarely had any hiccups except for two Tesla stations that stopped mid charge and I had to go to another charge pylon. All in all, successful experience. That said, a gas SUV getting 20mpg highway with $4-4.50/gal would have cost me less ?. Photo is from point-to-point average speed, time, and miles driven. No trailer, just a jam packed to the gills T, my dog, and myself.

 

[BrianB]

Stopped today at the supercharger in Livingston Texas. 8 stalls only one other vehicle charging. 211kW speed. Barely had time for a bathroom stop and headed on. Payment and charging initiation were automatic and seamless.

 

[SANZC02]

The Thanksgiving weekend will be the first big test of the SC network being open to non-Teslas. In the best of times, stations are jammed during the holidays, but now there will be lots of folks taking up two stalls with RIvians and Fords and GMs etc. I have to take a 550 mile road trip on Sunday and I am dreading it. As I write this, ABRP is showing a couple of the critical SCs on the route with 0/8 and 1/6 stalls available. Anyone with first hand experience on how it is going out there?

Where is your trip to? In my travels I found a lot of places in the eastern part of the country, especially away from major metropolitan locations were pretty open. My trips have not been on major holidays though. West coast, especially CA most charging sites get pretty crowded regardless of the network.

Some of the Superchargers are laid out where you do not need to take up multiple stalls. An example is Destin, FL, the chargers are centered in the parking stalls and easily reach, there were others that have access from the backside that you can get to. These are not the norm but they are out there.

 

[TexasBob]

Where is your trip to? In my travels I found a lot of places in the eastern part of the country, especially away from major metropolitan locations were pretty open. My trips have not been on major holidays though. West coast, especially CA most charging sites get pretty crowded regardless of the network.

Some of the Superchargers are laid out where you do not need to take up multiple stalls. An example is Destin, FL, the chargers are centered in the parking stalls and easily reach, there were others that have access from the backside that you can get to. These are not the norm but they are out there.

I am driving from houston to northwest arkansas. The chargers north of Dallas are smaller (8 stalls or less) and spaced pretty far apart. The Denison SC is a pretty critical stop north of Dallas but only has 8 stalls. Otherwise you are relying on a little Francis energy station McAllister or you can find yourself stranded on the Choctaw reservation. Adventure vehicle, right?

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

I am driving from houston to northwest arkansas. The chargers north of Dallas are smaller (8 stalls or less) and spaced pretty far apart. The Denison SC is a pretty critical stop north of Dallas but only has 8 stalls. Otherwise you are relying on a little Francis energy station McAllister or you can find yourself stranded on the Choctaw reservation. Adventure vehicle, right?

I've done the trip from San Antonio to NW Arkansas twice without the Tesla Adapter. It was a little inconvenient from Dallas to Fayetteville 2 years ago but now there are GM EvGO stations in Checotah and Roland along with a NACS Supercharger in Van Buren. Thats a much easier route now.

 

[Lampcon1]

Depending on where you are going, I used one in henderson texas and I was the only one charging on the way there and back. The Livingston one looked wide open when I passed. There was an evgo in mount pleasant that was empty. Maybe just try to hit places early or late in the day to try and have less traffic.

 

[TexasBob]

Depending on where you are going, I used one in henderson texas and I was the only one charging on the way there and back. The Livingston one looked wide open when I passed. There was an evgo in mount pleasant that was empty. Maybe just try to hit places early or late in the day to try and have less traffic.

Thanks. I was thinking about taking 69/59 and then over the mountains through Ouachita national forest rather than go around through Dallas and up to OK. A bit slower, but a nicer route and a less traveled road. Will see how the weather shapes up on Sunday.

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