Hi All- we are currently touring the National Parks here in Colorado- having rented a Model 3 (standard range of 260 mi. - rental company failed to provide the long range model we had reserved) and wanted to share some of our experiences. Firstly, as many have noted, no trouble charging in and around Denver and Colorado Springs (toured Garden of the Gods, as well as Pikes Peak (easy drive up and down in the tesla)- but a bit more planning was needed to make it down to the Great Sand Dune National Park, Mesa Verde and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Full charge in Colorado Springs, down route 115 to route 50 through canon city to Salida (for lunch) with a full charge at the super charge station in Poncha Springs. From Poncha springs we drove down 285 to 17 to Alamosa. From Alamosa we were able to visit the Great Sand Dunes and return to town with about 90 miles.
The town usually has a level 3 charger (with Tesla adaptor) available at the welcome center, but it was broken at the time of our visit and they were waiting on a replacement. Free charging (first 4 hours) was available though via level 2 charger at the public library. Also, the Fairfield Inn and Suites (the hotel we were staying at) in Alamosa normally has a level 2 charger- but it too was broken at the time, which led to a long night for my husband charging.
That being said, the next day we were able to drive from alamosa to 285 west to 160 to Pagosa Springs where we were able to use the level 3 charger with the Tesla adapter available (although cracked and we were concerned it wouldn’t work- we didn’t have any issues). That charge carried us to Durango where we topped off during diner. From Durango we continued our drive to Cortez. We toured Mesa Verde the next day and used the free Tesla level 2 charger in the park for an hour. The next day we drove from Cortez to Mountain Village on route 145. In Mountain Village we used the super charger to fill up again, and drove route 145 to route 62 to route 550 to route 50 the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and toured along the south rim and East Road all before returning to montrose to top off for the next day. From Montrose we drove along Route 50 to route 92 to 133 to route 82 to the super charger in Aspen at the Inn. While we were there we were able to chat with Silver City Cycles (they run an e-bike rental shop out of a container next to the charging station)- super friendly and helpful. If planned in advance we’ll worth scheduling an e-bike rental with them.
Still working our way through Colorado- next stop, Estes. Not expecting the challenge though as there appear to be a bunch of super chargers along our route. I’ll keep you all posted on our trip.
Road trip suggestions for newbie long distance Tesla drivers: 1. pick up a paper road map to help plan charging; 2. Have multiple charging app. (PlugShare, ABRP, Superchargers) Location planners available as different data is available across platforms; 3. Use hidden rear trunk area for food storage (Walmart Cokler bags with ice stayed cold all day even in 90 degree weather); 4. If you can manage it purchase a Tesla level 3 adapter on Amazon so that other level 3 chargers can be used when super stations not available; 5. Double check Tesla rental mileage before leaving rental facility so you don’t get screwed on type of vehicle you are given; 6. Check if hotel has charging station available- these are not always readily listed but incredibly helpful in a pinch.
The town usually has a level 3 charger (with Tesla adaptor) available at the welcome center, but it was broken at the time of our visit and they were waiting on a replacement. Free charging (first 4 hours) was available though via level 2 charger at the public library. Also, the Fairfield Inn and Suites (the hotel we were staying at) in Alamosa normally has a level 2 charger- but it too was broken at the time, which led to a long night for my husband charging.
That being said, the next day we were able to drive from alamosa to 285 west to 160 to Pagosa Springs where we were able to use the level 3 charger with the Tesla adapter available (although cracked and we were concerned it wouldn’t work- we didn’t have any issues). That charge carried us to Durango where we topped off during diner. From Durango we continued our drive to Cortez. We toured Mesa Verde the next day and used the free Tesla level 2 charger in the park for an hour. The next day we drove from Cortez to Mountain Village on route 145. In Mountain Village we used the super charger to fill up again, and drove route 145 to route 62 to route 550 to route 50 the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and toured along the south rim and East Road all before returning to montrose to top off for the next day. From Montrose we drove along Route 50 to route 92 to 133 to route 82 to the super charger in Aspen at the Inn. While we were there we were able to chat with Silver City Cycles (they run an e-bike rental shop out of a container next to the charging station)- super friendly and helpful. If planned in advance we’ll worth scheduling an e-bike rental with them.
Still working our way through Colorado- next stop, Estes. Not expecting the challenge though as there appear to be a bunch of super chargers along our route. I’ll keep you all posted on our trip.
Road trip suggestions for newbie long distance Tesla drivers: 1. pick up a paper road map to help plan charging; 2. Have multiple charging app. (PlugShare, ABRP, Superchargers) Location planners available as different data is available across platforms; 3. Use hidden rear trunk area for food storage (Walmart Cokler bags with ice stayed cold all day even in 90 degree weather); 4. If you can manage it purchase a Tesla level 3 adapter on Amazon so that other level 3 chargers can be used when super stations not available; 5. Double check Tesla rental mileage before leaving rental facility so you don’t get screwed on type of vehicle you are given; 6. Check if hotel has charging station available- these are not always readily listed but incredibly helpful in a pinch.
