Value proposition question - at what distance do you consider your ICE over EV?

[SwampNut]

My question is for those driving long trips, at what point (if at all), would you consider taking your ICE over EV.

You missed a factor; our ICE isn't a great car, the Rivian is. So the only time we drive it is around town when totally necessary. My longest trips in the Rivian are around 1500-1800 miles across a few days, and that's fine. If I ever did another 3k in two days type of trip, ICE rental. But I hope not to.

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[BCondrey]

There is no distance that I won't drive my R1T. Nothing else compares, ICE wise. Whenever I am on the road for business, I rent an EV if one is available. I've driven an ICE vehicle exactly once in the last year and it sucked. Granted, I don't have kids and can largely control my own schedule.

 

[Ryder03]

I would take my R1S no matter the distance. F150 is just for pulling the RV trailer.
Of course at some point I am on an airplane.

Came here to say exactly that. I drive my R1S everywhere unless towing where I take my F-150. Nice choice in vehicles

 

[Nixapatfan]

I don't know not worth my time or effort to stress about things that minor. I just base it on my needs for the trip, summer smooth fast curvy roads it will be the CTS-V, winter, dirty or beach trip or camping then it's the Rivian.

 

[kanundrum]

EV is my Daily and road trips, ICE car is for fun weekend drives and track Days

 

[BigSkies]

It's an interesting question, which I thought about before owning an EV. Then me and my wife both wanted to drive the EV, so now we have two EV's.

I've come to the following conclusions:

1. There is no scenario I would rather drive a gas car in given a reasonable choice. I had to rent a gas car recently on a trip and I hated it.
2. I prefer road tripping in an EV. A typical road trip for my family is in the 500 - 600 mile per day range. We still make those same number of miles in a day. The pacing is a little different, but I'm less exhausted at the end of the driving day.
3. When choosing between our Rivian and our Tesla for road trips, we almost always choose the Rivian, even though the Model Y's efficiency is better. The Rivian is just a more comfortable ride, and we frequently travel with enough kid stuff that the extra space is nice. This calculus will probably change a bit once I get my GoFast camper, and deal with the range/efficiency hit from that.

 

[ATLRivvy]

Anything over 450 miles one-way we just fly.

 

[mudito]

I've done multiple trips over 1000mi on my Rivian already. As a comparisson, it takes me between 2 and 2:30hrs extra traveling from Dallas-Ft.Worth to Brekenridge, CO (that's one I do every year at least once and I have been doing it for 10 yrs now).

I counting Fueling stops, dining stops, rest stops on the ICE vehicle ride, vs Charging stops on the Rivian (which I use for everything else, of course).

So in a ~900mi trip, adding two extra hours on it it's not a big deal at all honestly, hence why I don't think on not taking the Rivian on it


(for those who ask, YES I would still love my Rivian to charge faster) ;-)

 

[Great Gatsby]

Great question and my answer would have been very different if someone asked me a year ago.

Long answer: If I'm in a rush and need to get somewhere far, I will most likely fly - as someone who hates flying. Otherwise, ICE cars (to me) sole benefit is fueling up quickly. In every other aspect (tech, space, comfort, driving assist), I much prefer an EV for a long trip. The vehicle being able to take a good portion of the driving helps a lot of with fatigue. Not to mention the additional space of a frunk and sub-trunk areas on a well designed EV. I bought a 2 series as an ICE alternative for long trips and to have fun on weekends, but I haven't driven it in weeks and my last roadtrip I took the R1S and it was actually enjoyable. Also other intangibles like being able to pre-heat or cool the car from a distance is so nice on a winter night or a summer day. The reason I mentioned being asked this a year ago is because my wife is not a fan of waiting around during charging stops. Buying the BMW was a way to get her comfortable in roadtrips again. Now that we have done several trips in the BMW vs. the Rivian, she is morel ike me and prefers to have the conveniences that an EV provides and just making the best of charging stops. Charging stations have also become more prevalent over the last year. That alone has made a huge difference in both of our mindsets.

When the Scout was announced, I was so excited. Finally, an EREV in America. But as time has gone by, I want nothing to do with going to gas station, even if not doing so often. I would love a vehicle with 350-400 miles of range and charging speeds below 30 minutes from 10-80%. Once this happens, the BMW will likely be sold and I probably will never own an ICE vehicle again. Nothing wrong with them for those who love them, but I think I moved on and very much have a preference now.

TLDR: If too far away and need to be there ASAP, I'd fly. In almost every other scenario, I'd take the EV. I don't feel a reason to own one or rent a gas car anymore.

 

[Jeff M]

I drove over 4,000 miles round trip from Boise, ID to Memphis and Bell Buckle, TN in November 2025. The government shutdown made air travel unreliable. I don’t have an ICEV. So my choice was between my 21 Audi ETron and 26 Rivian R1S Dual Max Performance. I took the R1S. Max elevation was 9,375 feet in the snow over Steamboat Springs, CO. I spent 2 nights on the road each 2,000 miles leg parked next to many ICEVs traveling much shorter distances per conversations over breakfast buffets. Spent $192 charging fees taking advantage of free overnight charging at Craig CO and Russell, KS. My system needed relief about the time the R1 needed charging. But those first legs after 100% overnight charges were real test to my natural system. Charges were plentiful, even around rural Bell Buckle, TN. The RI trip planner software minimizes route charge time keeping the R1 between 10 & 80 % SOC. I didn’t realize this on the first leg an I spent extra time charging to 80 and 90 % taking more time - still considering range anxiety. I stuck with the route planner on the return leg and barely had time for relief before the R1 was charged to planned SOC.

At this point in EV and EV infrastructure support I wouldn’t even consider another ICEV. Efficiency and towing power are only going to improve while manufacturing and material cost are going to decrease. The US will fall behind even as the infrastructure builds out, as China, Asia, and Europe demand make the technological leaps that propel EV development

 

[ndmiller]

All roadtrips in R1T since buying it.

Lexus GX460 and Tesla Y don't have as much storage space for traveling, especially with Wife and Daughter(s).

 

[Judd]

I have a 15 year old ranch truck as I call it…if the trip is far enough that I’d have to charge the Rivian away from the house, I take it. Not because I want to, but because convenience.

Interesting the responses, great topic. I’m a little shocked how many are 100% EV houses and use them on longer trips.

 

[ATLRivvy]

I have a 15 year old ranch truck as I call it…if the trip is far enough that I’d have to charge the Rivian away from the house, I take it. Not because I want to, but because convenience.

Interesting the responses, great topic. I’m a little shocked how many are 100% EV houses and use them on longer trips.

R1S sales dwarf R1T. Willing to be that the vast majority of R1S owners are either roadtripping with kids and/or pets, or older retired people who aren’t in a rush.

In my case if I’m on a road trip I have two children under 3 years old and a large dog with me. I’m stopping for 20-30 mins every 175-200 miles regardless of ICE or EV, with a max battery not much difference between the two

 

[Count Orlok]

it's never the distance... it's the comfort and whether he is offroading that makes The Count pick the Royal Grenadier over the Royal R1S. The REcaro seats in the Grenny are unmatched in comfort. The R1S is a bit soft for some off road adventures.

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