Stupid Idea? Probably

[Swilly]

So I just scheduled my July 1st R1S pick up in Denver. Was set to receive it in June but pushed on my end due to increased state EV credit coming in July.

I am now forced to leave for my road trip to Boston that day in order to have any chance of being there on the 4th. I have no EV experience outside of test drives, friend’s cars and thousands of articles and videos. Am I crazy for thinking I can do this day 1 of ownership? Just to be clear, I don’t really intend to listen to anyone that says I’m crazy and shouldn’t do it, it just factors into my personal comfort level as I make the attempt

Any advice on routes or things to bring along would be greatly appreciated. Flying my family to Boston so that the stress is only car related, so hopefully that makes me less insane for considering.

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[electrictaco]

Plan the route on A Better Route Planner, try to check out chargers in advance on PlugShare to make sure they're functional and generally reliable. Make sure you have charging at your overnight spots (or nearby) to cut down the number of charging stops per day. Have your EA/EVGo apps set up with your cards. Have fun!

 

[CharonPDX]

Map routes ahead of time using A Better Route Planner. Check reviews for recommended charging stations on Plugshare. Download apps and create accounts/link credit cards on Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, and any other charging chains it looks like you *MIGHT* stop at.

Edit: LOL. Taco beat me to hitting "post" by a few seconds!

 

[WSea]

I would do it for sure! They are the ultimate road trip vehicles. Just call it an adventure! I'm sure you know about all the apps you need and just hit the road. Just pay attention to the GOM and any headwinds. You will have some initial range anxiety. Plan the next charging spot while charging.

 

[COdogman]

 

[jjswan33]

FWIW others have picked up from the factory and taken long road trips with their Rivian's as first time EV owners. As others have said above research will go a long way. I am pretty sure I80 is pretty well covered by Electrify America but as others have also said check plug share because as much as I appreciate the EA network there are certainly dog sites that are due for repairs/replacement.

Since you will probably be using EA a lot on this voyage i'd suggest downloading the EA app and getting the pass+ membership (It's $4/month and pays for itself on the first charge, and you can cancel it right after your trip if you don't need it more than once a month.)

 

[iansriv]

Do it! Life is short!

 

[moosehead]

Be adventurous.

As recommended above, use ABRP, Rivian's Network route mapping, and sign up in advance on EA, Charge Point, others for more hassle free third-party charging. Make sure you take note of fast charging when needed vs level 2 overnight at certain hotels.

You have a spare? Prolly a good idea to have a lift puck and maybe bottle jack setup. I also tend to add a cordless impact drill and proper sockets for longer road trips.

 

[SANZC02]

So I just scheduled my July 1st R1S pick up in Denver. Was set to receive it in June but pushed on my end due to increased state EV credit coming in July.

I am now forced to leave for my road trip to Boston that day in order to have any chance of being there on the 4th. I have no EV experience outside of test drives, friend’s cars and thousands of articles and videos. Am I crazy for thinking I can do this day 1 of ownership? Just to be clear, I don’t really intend to listen to anyone that says I’m crazy and shouldn’t do it, it just factors into my personal comfort level as I make the attempt

Any advice on routes or things to bring along would be greatly appreciated. Flying my family to Boston so that the stress is only car related, so hopefully that makes me less insane for considering.

Being crazy is all part of the experience.

I picked my R1S up in Normal in January, drove to Boston, then down to the Florida panhandle, before making my way back to Southern California. Was a great trip and glad I did it.

I was using ABRP to plan the routes then plugging the chargers in the Rivian navigation so the truck prepared the battery for the charge. Worked great for me, I always charged a bit over what I needed and had a backup plan for the next charger but never needed the backup.

Pay for the EA premium account, you will save the $4 monthly charge in 1 charge, saved me well over $100 dollars on my trip.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[Swilly]

Do it! Life is short!

This is my general feeling on just about everything including the Rivian purchase itself. I’m going full send no matter what, just figuring out probability of success and appreciating the Rivian OG knowledge.

 

[Swilly]

Be adventurous.

As recommended above, use ABRP, Rivian's Network route mapping, and sign up in advance on EA, Charge Point, others for more hassle free third-party charging. Make sure you take note of fast charging when needed vs level 2 overnight at certain hotels.

You have a spare? Prolly a good idea to have a lift puck and maybe bottle jack setup. I also tend to add a cordless impact drill and proper sockets for longer road trips.

Spare: This is my main concern with the vehicle itself. Compact spare didn’t ship with the vehicle (SC informed me when I booked delivery date) so I am stuck crossing my fingers on that front if they don’t find one by delivery day. Have my emergency kit from my current car ready to move over, but good call on the lift puck. Thanks!

 

[SANZC02]

Spare: This is my main concern with the vehicle itself. Compact spare didn’t ship with the vehicle (SC informed me when I booked delivery date) so I am stuck crossing my fingers on that front if they don’t find one by delivery day. Have my emergency kit from my current car ready to move over, but good call on the lift puck. Thanks!

I did not have a spare, I have AAA and the R1S had a stop leak kit plus the compressor and hose. I have been driving the Model S for 7 years with no spare (or patch kit) and have not had a disabling flat in over 40 years (knocking on wood) so was not a huge concern for me.

I think if you are susceptible to flats it may be a concern but if historically you are not then odds are with you.

EDIT: I did bring my Jack pucks and my Tesla to J1772 48 amp converter on the plane ride to Normal JIC. ?

 

[emoore]

Sounds like an awesome trip. I'm sure you will be fine especially if you are taking major highways. I'm about to head out on my first EV road trip this week to northern Minnesota. I'm not worried about the highway part, just all the little towns with 1 50kw chargers that I have to use in order to get there. Giving myself extra time just in case something goes wrong.

 

[SparkyR1t]

So I have never had a breakdown in over 55 years of driving and have clocked hundred of thousand of driving miles but whenever I obtained a new vehicle and I have had many I would take a week and get comfortable with the vehicle handling and it’s reliability. If you wanted to be super safe

 

[MountainBikeDude]

So I just scheduled my July 1st R1S pick up in Denver. Was set to receive it in June but pushed on my end due to increased state EV credit coming in July.

I am now forced to leave for my road trip to Boston that day in order to have any chance of being there on the 4th. I have no EV experience outside of test drives, friend’s cars and thousands of articles and videos. Am I crazy for thinking I can do this day 1 of ownership? Just to be clear, I don’t really intend to listen to anyone that says I’m crazy and shouldn’t do it, it just factors into my personal comfort level as I make the attempt

Any advice on routes or things to bring along would be greatly appreciated. Flying my family to Boston so that the stress is only car related, so hopefully that makes me less insane for considering.

Not crazy man, It's a heck of a vehicle!

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