Planning a trip

That's a big trip but possible. I've never taken a trip that long but just got back from my first mini-roadtrip. Longest stretch was 210 miles and I barely made it in the Roadster (similar range probably to the 60 kWh Model S). If this is a trip you do often, the 85 kWh pack would help but if it's not a common trip, no reason to change. You'll have much more options on the west coast but look for RV parks with 50A outlets if there is nothing else around. Give yourself plenty of backup range in case your destination charge station isn't working. Probably take 160 mile jumps to look for charge stations and travel at 55-60mph and you'll probably want the AC on since it'll be summer. Once that range estimator they have in the store goes online, that will help you.

Kipernicus said:

What apps/websites/tools would you use? How do you even figure out the optimum itinerary?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately there isn't an integrated route-map/charging-map app that does what you want in one step -- or at least none I'm aware of. (Enter destination; enter vehicle range; plot.) Plugshare and Recargo are good reference apps.

Kiper - When I did my long trip from Arizona to Iowa and back, I picked KOA as the tool to plan the trip (koa.com). I don't know if KOA is the largest RV camp system, but they have pretty good Interstate coverage. That way I could plan a "one-by-one (linear)" location for charging. I chose 150 - 180 miles as the interval for the Roadster and plotted stops along the route that way. If a KOA didn't exist close to the 180 mile point, I checked Google maps to find other campsites in the area around whatever town was closest. In my limited experience, the KOAs seemed to be the fullest service sites, tho they were probably more expensive too, but most of them had cabins for over nights if I was at that point in the trip. Since KOAs are independent, you still have to contact each one individually for reservations. Then at each stop, I'd call ahead to the next stop to confirm. On the way back, I winged it and didn't make reservations and just showed up. I was always able to get a charge, but had some close calls. One Sunday afternoon in a small town in Oklahoma that looked and acted like the 50's Blue Laws were still in effect (maybe they were - everything was closed), I had to charge at the fire station on a dryer hookup because the RV camp had gone under. With the Model S you should have an easier and more comfortable time of it.

The Model S is large enough that, if you're traveling alone or with a close friend, and if you're not too tall, sleeping bags in the back (with the back seats down) could work well for road-tripping. Sleep in climate-controlled comfort!

you could use this map
OpenChargeMap Map

or refine its results with this wizard
OpenChargeMap Map Wizard

Your plan sounds ambitious, and I must admire your vision and confidence that Tesla will fully deliver on their promises.

Would I / will I embark on such a trip? Nah, I'm too chicken. Well, maybe, If I upgrade to the 300 mile battery pack -and- after a few weeks or months getting comfortable with it.

Actually, it might be sooner than that. I am currently (yuk, yuk) exploring the world of the electric car with a BMW ActiveE. It is so darned fun, but there are several mind-sets that I need to abandon and others I need to embrace.

-- Ardie
Where do I get all that junky food now that I don't go to gas stations?