For New Years, my Tesla is driving me and the dogs, 6 hours to Riverwalk Casino, Vicksburg, MS: Full Self Driving (FSD) does all the work from my driveway to each SuperCharger parking lot. Then I choose the charging lane and the Tesla self parks. While the Tesla does the driving, I will be listening to music, radio, enjoying the dogs, and the trip: This video shows examples of how FSD works: Seven minutes long, you might want to speed it up. Not shown in this video, FSD also alerts me to deer and critters on the road at night. The navigation system alerts me to traffic jams and blockages to detour well in advance. Recently, Tesla sent me a $8,500 trade-in estimate. But the $6,000 I paid in 2019 makes FSD more valuable than the battery. The battery aged, EV range is now 200 miles but the growth of DC chargers has been faster than the battery lost range. Plus, I can now charge at CCS-1 stations as needed. There are a few bugs like phantom slow-downs and exceptionally poor drivers. But then you're not supposed to be 'asleep at the wheel.' Bob Wilson
Lol... I just did my Holiday driving in my 2007 Prius again... It's a little more than 700 miles one way and I only pull over once to fill the tank and quite often I do the whole drive in one day. I'd go crazy if I had to recharge as often as you had to recharge. How much did all those charging sessions cost you? And yes, I still want an EV, but seems like for really long road trips it's more hassle than its worth?
Since last summer, I have already done two, round trip, 1,200 mile segments in 24 hours to witness the Starship launches. My next one is Jan 10: Point by point: 1.5 to 3 hour driving segments - at age 74 with three dogs, we all appreciate frequent breaks. 15-20 minute charging breaks - refreshes so I arrive ready to do what I planned to do at the destination. ~$22 as shown on the chart - free charging at Vicksburg means I only pay for two of three segments. 1,200 miles in 24 hours - this is a driving profile I've repeated four times on two trips to witness Starship launches. 1,400 miles, 30 hours - Huntsville to Albuquerque NM, my first endurance test that included some L2 charging. Age 75 and dogs - we would go crazy driving 700 miles, one way, without bathroom, stretch, or snack breaks. My late wife insisted on frequent breaks too. Driving an EV accomplishes everything I've done with my previous Prius and ICE cars. But it is done differently with new skills. If you prefer endurance driving without stops, don't get an EV. When I was younger, I had a bed in my VW MicroBus and on a 700 mile trip, replaced the Prius passenger seat with a 'nap board.' Even my BMW i3-REx has a motorcycle engine driven generator and takes motorcycle fueling breaks every 1.25 hours, 88 miles for 2.3 gallons of mid-grade. When I was working in DC and commuting to Huntsville, I tried ride sharing with a guy who only took one break, midway on the drive. He drove as if 80 mph was the minimum speed and would not let me drive. I napped while he drove in a way I never admired. To return, I took a bus to Nashville, flew to Baltimore, commuter train to Metro, Metro to home station, and a mile walk home. Lots of naps, bathrooms, and snacks along the way. Bob Wilson
The Tripmeter shows ~400 miles and $27.34 charging cost to and around Vicksburg. A generous casino gave me a free room. After the last craps table shutdown, bringing ~83% more money home. NOTE: it is called gambling, not WINNING but sometimes things work out. Bob Wilson
Final numbers: $66.05 - all charging costs $27.34 trip to Vicksburg $38.71 return from Vicksburg 809 miles - trip meter $8.16/100 miles I was in a hurry to get home and drove faster than on the way down. Also, missed the free, full charge in Vicksburg because I stayed at the wrong (but nicer) hotel. Bob Wilson
Funnily enough, we are both laughing. Me after banking the winnings. EV depreciation has been universally fast and not just Tesla. In my case: 2019 - 240 mi range, forged steel, welded and glued together, $42 k new price 2022 - 272 mi range, improved motor and battery 2025 - 363 mi range, one piece castings front and rear, newer computer, $39 k new price The learning curve dooms today's "hotness" to become tomorrow's "used entry car." The same happened with my 2014 and 2017 BMW i3-REx: $52,000 new - 2014 BMW i3-REx $29,000 used - 2014 BMW i3-REx, my first with 72 mi EV range and 39 MPG gas $15,000 used - 2017 BMW i3-REx, current, with 106 mi EV range and 37 MPG gas As for my 2019 Model 3: 6 years old come March 26, 2025 144,938 miles 1 accident report non-standard wheels HW 3.0 computer can not be replaced with newer HW 4.0 The cars and computers I like are used until "the wheels fall off." This means until it can no longer drive due to a repair whose cost exceeds the 'fair market value'. So I consider the $8,500 for my well used (and abused) Model 3 to be generous. In effect, the salvage value of the car. Consider the battery, when I asked a couple of years ago, Tesla would replace it for $16,000 ... No Forkin' Way! I "invest" in stocks and my projects. Everything else loses value while serving my requirements. Bob Wilson
And when you cite your fuel costs, I look at my entry on fuelly and compare your $8.16 to my lifetime $7.20. I'd do the trip without having to worry about where I stayed or where I could stop. Starting with a full tank of gas, I would have gassed up in Vicksburg and when I got back home with maybe a single bio break duration stop each direction. All my stops would be within 100 yards of the highway I was on.
No problem with me. EVs are not for everyone and as cross country vehicles, my EVs are acceptable but not the lowest cost per mile if we ignore engine maintenance costs. But around town, my EV are outstanding. When I document cross country travels in my 2019 Model 3, I'm interested in sharing facts and data. For me, I want what works and not to sell you into a different car which is not how I earn my living. Heck, I've sold my TSLA stock to buy a solar roof. EVs are not for everyone and my postings are about reality, warts and all. The next Starship launch is January 10, about 1,200 miles away. I'll probably drive down as cheaply as possible and share the metrics. Yes, I'll use and document every EV trick. I might do the same for the return but more as an EV lesson's learned. Bob Wilson
