Tesla for Long-Distance Travel: Practical or Luxury?

Is a Tesla a practical option for someone who frequently travels long distances, or is it more designed for city driving due to current battery technology? The answer depends on a few factors, including the frequency of travel and the specific range needed.

For instance, when I commuted just shy of 40,000 miles a year, which is a significant distance, a Tesla would have been a fantastic choice. Commuting a daily 150 miles is well within the range of a Tesla, making it a practical and convenient option. Like my old EV, a Tesla would allow you to simply drive and plug in at home, without the need for frequent stops or the stress of visiting a gas station every two and a half days.

Long-Distance Travel and Tesla Range

The ideal drive is a round trip up to your range. A Tesla can have a range of up to 360 miles on a single charge, depending on the specific model. My personal Tesla has a range closer to 300 miles, which is sufficient for most travel needs.

However, once you start going just over your range, you will need to add a charge stop. For shorter distances past your range, a charge stop might be as short as five minutes. When I drive to the next state south from the northern part of my state, sometimes I need a one-minute stop to charge, and other times it takes four minutes in snowy conditions with snow tires. This time is comparable to a gas station stop.

As you continue to exceed your range, the charging stops will become longer until you need two stops. At this point, you are driving for over two hours in a row and need a charge stop. In a gas car, you can drive approximately another 100 miles before needing to fill up, meaning you will have around one-third fewer stops due to caring for the car.

Comparison with Gas Cars

While charging stops in an electric vehicle (EV) can be quicker and more predictable, they still add time to your trip. A typical gas station stop can take around two minutes, including gas pumping, and a little more time for transactions. On long trips, gas station stops can also serve as breaks to use the restroom, buy drinks or snacks, or other scheduled or unscheduled stops.

Long trips can significantly differ in stop durations. On my last cross-country trip, the shortest stop was 14 minutes, and the longest was over two hours. The stops without actual meals, sleep, or dog walking tended to be 18 minutes, while meals tended to take around 45 minutes, and dog walking could extend up to an hour every time.

Trade-offs for Long-Distance Travel

While EVs are generally practical for daily commutes, there are two factors that put them at a disadvantage for long-distance travel. First, the increased number of stops will add more time to your trip. If each stop is comparable to a gas station stop, the EV will still add more time to the overall journey. Second, EVs are not as spacious as gas cars, meaning they might not be able to accommodate large loads, such as moving four dogs, two people, two cats, and an extensive amount of personal supplies.

These trade-offs might make a long-distance journey less practical, but they still offer a significantly more comfortable and satisfying drive without the noise of an internal combustion engine. For someone with a daily commute of just 800 miles in a day, an EV would be a practical and enjoyable choice. However, for someone traveling 3,000 miles in a week, an EV may not be the best choice.

Ultimately, the choice between an EV and a gas car for long-distance travel depends on individual preferences, requirements, and the specific nature of the trips. While EVs are competitive for longer drives, they would lean more on other benefits, such as reduced maintenance and lower operating costs, rather than minimal travel time.