Nevadans: How to place Superchargers between Las Vegas and Reno?

Hey Audie! Good question as Elon (or JB?) said in Europe (paraphrasing) that there's no "finish" planned for the SC network, they will just keep building it. My interest is mainly in the I-80 route E-W, but it would affect the spacing/placement of N-S too. Seems like Fernley, East of Reno, on the 95 cut-off to hwy 50 is a good intersection, but it's close to Reno so probably wouldn't get both at least early on. I'd like to see hwy 50 get 'em someday too !

How about this.

Las Vegas-Beatty. 118 miles
Beatty-Tonopah. 94 miles
Tonopah-Hawthorne. 103 miles
Hawthorne-Reno. 134 miles.

Given the possible cold and definite elevation changes, the segments should be fairly short. All of these spots are also on other highways that would be helpful if they start filling in less traveled roads in the future. Adding a SC in Tonopah opens up eastern Nevada, though it's a bit of a stretch to get to Ely (173 miles), but it also makes the trip from Beatty to Hawthorne much easier. Hopefully Tesla looks at this route, as detouring to Barstow, across to Bakersfield and up 99 adds hours to the trip. 395 wouldn't be possible with their current plans unless there were something north of Bishop and also adds a lot of time.

Darmok said:

How about this.

Las Vegas-Beatty. 118 miles
Beatty-Tonopah. 94 miles
Tonopah-Hawthorne. 103 miles
Hawthorne-Reno. 134 miles.

Given the possible cold and definite elevation changes, the segments should be fairly short. All of these spots are also on other highways that would be helpful if they start filling in less traveled roads in the future. Adding a SC in Tonopah opens up eastern Nevada, though it's a bit of a stretch to get to Ely (173 miles), but it also makes the trip from Beatty to Hawthorne much easier. Hopefully Tesla looks at this route, as detouring to Barstow, across to Bakersfield and up 99 adds hours to the trip. 395 wouldn't be possible with their current plans unless there were something north of Bishop and also adds a lot of time.

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Hear, hear!

See my posts at Tesla Supercharger network - Page 346 and Tesla Supercharger network - Page 347 for my proposed rule of thumb on maximum spacing for easy, comfortable use of Superchargers. Even on flat ground, the maximum spacing should be no more than 133 miles, less when there is a climb.

Beatty also opens up the Mammoth/Yosemite/South Shore route to Las Vegans, as Beatty is only 150 miles to Bishop. Add a SC in Bridgeport and the whole of the Eastern Sierra, including Lake Tahoe, becomes accessible from L.A., L.V. and Reno.

AudubonB said:

Well, I have to say that I like your proposal, Darmok...in the sense that more is always better, in that you took my preferred choice and improved it simply by adding Tonopah. I suppose I was trying to be more realistic in thinking emplacement of 3 SpC's is more likely than 4; you were being more realistic in cutting almost in half that long stretch between Beatty and Hawthorne.

Now, more stringently: does anyone have a good idea if 3Ø power is available at all those sites? Beatty, in particular, is an awfully small wide spot in the road, for example.

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Only 3 SCs, I think, one site each in Beatty, Tonopah and Hawthorne. Drivers are on their own in LV and Reno, but we know there is a SC in LV. I just don't see how the trip is doable without Tonopah and there really isn't anything else between Beatty and Hawthorne (sorry Goldfield and Mina). I think you need something south of Yerrington (Hawthorne), as there is quite a climb from Schurz to the NW and that can get pretty snowy. Best to give people options, either Yerrington or Fallon. Depends on the final destination as well, people headed to Carson City would probably go through Yerrington, we usually head to Reno and go through Fallon with its more extensive food options.

I don't know what is required in terms of power, but Beatty has a couple of decent sized motels on the way out of town to the north on the west side of the road, as big or bigger than anything in Wickenburg for example. There are power lines running right through there, from the Stagecoach Hotel & Casino to the Motel 6. That would actually be the most logical site, IMHO, as it also has Death Valley Nuts and Candy, a must stop in Beatty anyway. Seems to me there would be enough power, but I really don't know. There is also an RV park further north, maybe 5 miles out of town.

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Another benefit of Hawthorne over Yerrington is that Hawthorne is about 125 miles from Lovelock, which appears to be the location of a future SC according to the TM map. So Hawthorne is in range of Reno to the West and Lovelock and beyond to the North and East.

I'd love to see superchargers on hwy 95 but the 2 year Tesla map completely avoids this section of Nevada. It almost seems as if this done on purpose. Maybe Tesla wants to avoid certain establishments unique to Nevada?

I'm not holding my breath for that route but it would be nice. Putting one in Bridgeport north of Bishop would at least make the trip possible up 395, which isn't as bad as 99. As for unique establishments, there aren't any in the towns mentioned as far as I know. The main group is a fair bit north of Beatty and then east of Carson City.

I would love one near Bridgeport. I go camping in that area every year and enjoy traveling along 395.

I dont know but they need to put some more Superchargers in the Vegas area. If they did my dad would have a Model S!

We are told there are four more sites planned for the Vegas area. Hopefully including Primm.

Now that there is a Lone Pine CA supercharger permit. Does that mean we need to go Reno -252 miles - Lone Pine -114 miles- Beatty - 121 miles -LV?

Good plan for 95, but, I'd like to see 395 finished first. Only one more supercharger in Bridgeport will make LV to Reno possible up 395. and will open up the Eastern Sierra to both NorCal and The South.

quartzav said:

Now that there is a Lone Pine CA supercharger permit. Does that mean we need to go Reno -252 miles - Lone Pine -114 miles- Beatty - 121 miles -LV?

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It does not help much, but Reno to Bishop is 202 miles, and a reliable source tells me that Bishop is on the way. Also, when Inyokern opens, and if lobbying could convince Tesla to use Lee Vining, a sub-optimum route could go through Barstow.

Reno, NV to Las Vegas, NV - Google Maps

Looks like a little lobbying should go on for Lee Vining!

Cottonwood said:

It does not help much, but Reno to Bishop is 202 miles, and a reliable source tells me that Bishop is on the way. Also, when Inyokern opens, and if lobbying could convince Tesla to use Lee Vining, a sub-optimum route could go through Barstow.

Reno, NV to Las Vegas, NV - Google Maps

Looks like a little lobbying should go on for Lee Vining!

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I'd love to see a SC in Lee Vining. I come from the north (Lake Tahoe) and that is the gateway to Yosemite. Perfect location.

Lee Vining has always been my first choice, with the awesome Whoa Nelly Deli. But, Lee Vining is very small and Whoa Nelly is not open in the winter. Bridgeport is an acceptable alternative, and possibly more doable. I have been lobbing the SC team for Lee Vining for over a year and will continue to do so.