Trip Log: LA to Vegas in the Rivian R1S Gen 2 (Real-World Range + Efficiency Data)

[bboytech]

Date of Travel: May 27, 2025

I wanted to document my recent drive from the greater Los Angeles area to North Las Vegas in my Rivian R1S Gen 2 (Dual Motor, Standard Battery). My goal was to track efficiency, battery usage, and overall performance across a full desert highway trip factoring in elevation, weather, and driving conditions. I kept the log live as I drove, noting key checkpoints and real-world changes along the way.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Departure

• Time: Approx. 8:15 AM
• Starting Battery: 100% (270 miles estimated range)
• Conditions: Clear morning, ~60s °F
• Route: Left from the LA area via 14 Fwy → Pearblossom → I-15 North

Checkpoint – Pearblossom Hwy (~9:21 AM)

• Battery Remaining: 186 miles
• Efficiency: 3.22 mi/kWh
• Notes: Smooth early drive with cool temps and very little traffic.

Charging Stop – Barstow (~10:00 AM)

• Arrival Battery: 53% (170 miles remaining)
• Charge Time: ~55 minutes
• Departure Battery: 100%
• Departure Time: 10:55 AM
• Efficiency at Departure: 2.69 mi/kWh
• Notes: I always top off to 100% on long drives for peace of mind, not necessarily efficiency.

Mid-Trip Conditions

• Temperature Rise: From ~60s to high 90s °F
• AC Settings: 72°F, mostly on auto or low fan
• Cruise Speed: 74–75 mph, hands-free engaged most of the way
• Soundtrack:
  • Prince – Around the World in a Day
  • Prince – Under the Cherry Moon
  • Modbap – Digging in the Wires
  • Common & Pete Rock – Auditorium Vol. 1

Checkpoint – Baker (~12:02 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 96 miles
• Battery Remaining: 132 miles
• Efficiency: 2.60 mi/kWh
• Outside Temp: 92°F

Checkpoint – Mountain Ascent (~12:14 PM)

• Elevation: ~4,000 ft
• Battery Remaining: 150 miles
• Efficiency Drop: 1.34 mi/kWh
• Notes: Uphill driving plus a brief slowdown knocked efficiency down hard. Recovered quickly.

Checkpoint – Nevada State Line (~12:39 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 50 miles
• Battery Remaining: 122 miles
• Efficiency: 3.61 mi/kWh
• Elevation: 2,600 ft
• Temperature: 95°F
• Notes: Massive efficiency rebound from regenerative braking on the downhill.

Checkpoint – Descent Into Vegas (~12:43 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 44 miles
• Battery Remaining: 114 miles
• Efficiency Peak: 4.57 mi/kWh
• Notes: Best stretch of the trip for efficiency. Smooth, fast, and cool inside despite 95°F heat outside.

Checkpoint – Urban Transition (~1:04 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 19 miles
• Battery Remaining: 86 miles
• Efficiency: 2.80 mi/kWh
• Driving Mode: Manual due to increased traffic
• Temp: 96°F

Arrival – North Las Vegas (~1:22 PM)

• Battery Remaining: 72 miles
• Final Efficiency Reading: 4.12 mi/kWh
• Outside Temp: 99°F
• Elevation: 1,940 ft
• Trip Distance: ~275 miles
• Total Drive Time (with charge stop): ~5 hours
• Charging Stops: 1 full top-off in Barstow
• Range Left on Arrival: ~26%

Final Thoughts

The Rivian R1S handled this trip with confidence and consistency. Despite hot desert conditions, high speeds, and elevation shifts, I had more than enough range to complete the trip with only one top-up. The downhill stretch into Nevada really boosted efficiency — topping out over 4.5 mi/kWh at one point. AC kept the cabin cool the whole way, and hands-free driving made the long haul smooth. Overall, a great real-world test of range, comfort, and performance.





Let me know if you’ve done a similar route and what your numbers looked like. Happy to compare notes.

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[VC_Rivian]

I have done that route from Ventura, left on a full charge 300 miles, and made it to the Barstow RAN then to the Las Vegas RAN with no issues easy ride. I need to track my efficiency with the Quad. Looking at the prices the Tesla Supercharger might be a better deal than the RANs. I rather support Rivian so I charge at the RANs.

 

[KRIV_ian]

Did the LA area trip to Vegas back in March in our '23 R1T Quad. Left with 100% state of charge and stopped at the EA station in Baker with an arrival SOC of 45%. Stayed about 25 minutes but I forget how much charge we left with, probably around 75%. Absolutely horrendous head winds for most of the trip so economy was about 2.1 mi/KWh.

Used free hotel charging each night during our stay, they had multiple Tesla Universal Wall Chargers which was very nice. Did find it interesting that I went to plug in on the second night and someone had added a J1772 to Telsa adapter on the end so I guess they didn't realize the UWC had a Tesla plug option built in!

On the way back we stopped at the RAN in Barstow but wasn't impressed with the layout and amenities available. Ended up walking to Chipotle but by the time we had climbed over the parking lot barriers and ordered I had to go back and unplug as the charge was finished.

Overall, an easy drive from LA to Vegas with enough charging options to choose from.

 

[SANZC02]

I have done that route from Ventura, left on a full charge 300 miles, and made it to the Barstow RAN then to the Las Vegas RAN with no issues easy ride. I need to track my efficiency with the Quad. Looking at the prices the Tesla Supercharger might be a better deal than the RANs. I rather support Rivian so I charge at the RANs.

I checked the other day at the Barstow prices. If you have the Tesla membership Tesla is cheaper (.46 per kWh vs .62 per kWh), if not Rivian was cheaper (.56 per kWh), I did notice the Barstow price did recently drop it was .64 per kWh back on March 19.

 

[Rally1]

Interesting that the RAN price came back down. My last trip back from Vegas I used the Tesla SC as it was a fair bit cheaper and that little bit easier to get to in that side of the freeway. But i’d rather use RAN.

 

[Greg Chick]

Date of Travel: May 27, 2025

I wanted to document my recent drive from the greater Los Angeles area to North Las Vegas in my Rivian R1S Gen 2 (Dual Motor, Standard Battery). My goal was to track efficiency, battery usage, and overall performance across a full desert highway trip factoring in elevation, weather, and driving conditions. I kept the log live as I drove, noting key checkpoints and real-world changes along the way.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Departure

• Time: Approx. 8:15 AM
• Starting Battery: 100% (270 miles estimated range)
• Conditions: Clear morning, ~60s °F
• Route: Left from the LA area via 14 Fwy → Pearblossom → I-15 North

Checkpoint – Pearblossom Hwy (~9:21 AM)

• Battery Remaining: 186 miles
• Efficiency: 3.22 mi/kWh
• Notes: Smooth early drive with cool temps and very little traffic.

Charging Stop – Barstow (~10:00 AM)

• Arrival Battery: 53% (170 miles remaining)
• Charge Time: ~55 minutes
• Departure Battery: 100%
• Departure Time: 10:55 AM
• Efficiency at Departure: 2.69 mi/kWh
• Notes: I always top off to 100% on long drives for peace of mind, not necessarily efficiency.

Mid-Trip Conditions

• Temperature Rise: From ~60s to high 90s °F
• AC Settings: 72°F, mostly on auto or low fan
• Cruise Speed: 74–75 mph, hands-free engaged most of the way
• Soundtrack:
  • Prince – Around the World in a Day
  • Prince – Under the Cherry Moon
  • Modbap – Digging in the Wires
  • Common & Pete Rock – Auditorium Vol. 1

Checkpoint – Baker (~12:02 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 96 miles
• Battery Remaining: 132 miles
• Efficiency: 2.60 mi/kWh
• Outside Temp: 92°F

Checkpoint – Mountain Ascent (~12:14 PM)

• Elevation: ~4,000 ft
• Battery Remaining: 150 miles
• Efficiency Drop: 1.34 mi/kWh
• Notes: Uphill driving plus a brief slowdown knocked efficiency down hard. Recovered quickly.

Checkpoint – Nevada State Line (~12:39 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 50 miles
• Battery Remaining: 122 miles
• Efficiency: 3.61 mi/kWh
• Elevation: 2,600 ft
• Temperature: 95°F
• Notes: Massive efficiency rebound from regenerative braking on the downhill.

Checkpoint – Descent Into Vegas (~12:43 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 44 miles
• Battery Remaining: 114 miles
• Efficiency Peak: 4.57 mi/kWh
• Notes: Best stretch of the trip for efficiency. Smooth, fast, and cool inside despite 95°F heat outside.

Checkpoint – Urban Transition (~1:04 PM)

• Distance to Destination: 19 miles
• Battery Remaining: 86 miles
• Efficiency: 2.80 mi/kWh
• Driving Mode: Manual due to increased traffic
• Temp: 96°F

Arrival – North Las Vegas (~1:22 PM)

• Battery Remaining: 72 miles
• Final Efficiency Reading: 4.12 mi/kWh
• Outside Temp: 99°F
• Elevation: 1,940 ft
• Trip Distance: ~275 miles
• Total Drive Time (with charge stop): ~5 hours
• Charging Stops: 1 full top-off in Barstow
• Range Left on Arrival: ~26%

Final Thoughts

The Rivian R1S handled this trip with confidence and consistency. Despite hot desert conditions, high speeds, and elevation shifts, I had more than enough range to complete the trip with only one top-up. The downhill stretch into Nevada really boosted efficiency — topping out over 4.5 mi/kWh at one point. AC kept the cabin cool the whole way, and hands-free driving made the long haul smooth. Overall, a great real-world test of range, comfort, and performance.





Let me know if you’ve done a similar route and what your numbers looked like. Happy to compare notes.

I may do the trip from north of Pearblossom Hwy, (Hwy 58), in tehachapi. Use that Hwy. to Barstow and charge to 95% then do exactly what you did with my Max Pak R1T. My experience is, 60 MPH gets better mileage, but will likely do 65 to 70. There are chargers along the way for the nervous type, coffee too. I may stop to see "Peggy Sue" in Baker. Another stop could be the CalTrans rest area after Baker, it has free charging if its open.

 

[richguess]

I may do the trip from north of Pearblossom Hwy, (Hwy 58), in tehachapi. Use that Hwy. to Barstow and charge to 95% then do exactly what you did with my Max Pak R1T. My experience is, 60 MPH gets better mileage, but will likely do 65 to 70. There are chargers along the way for the nervous type, coffee too. I may stop to see "Peggy Sue" in Baker. Another stop could be the CalTrans rest area after Baker, it has free charging if its open.

Don’t forget Astroburger!

 

[jjrivian]

Those are some great numbers. Whats was your average mph? I normally get 1.80 mi/kWh going 75-85mph to Vegas and back, as I don't like being a slouch on the road.

 

[shamoo]

I've done that trip numerous times with my 2023 R1S Quad (1st gen). It'll be the SoCal (Irvine) area to one of the hotels/resorts for a conference or something.

I'm curious why you charged to 100% on that first charging stop. You said it was peace of mind, but it gives you only a little more, but charging time increases significantly for that last 15%.

When I drive from SoCal to Vegas, my main gripe is I can get there no problem with one charge to ~80-85% but I arrive at the resort with little left that I can't drive much once there. Or I'll have to plan a charging stop at the nearby RAN when I leave. Not a fan of the latter since I'm itching to get back home.

I say that because even if I charge to 100% on the Barstow spot (either RAN or Tesla), I arrive at Las Vegas with little.

 

[Greg Chick]

Don’t forget Astroburger!

Great place too. I love the roadside joints.

 

[Greg Chick]

I've done that trip numerous times with my 2023 R1S Quad (1st gen). It'll be the SoCal (Irvine) area to one of the hotels/resorts for a conference or something.

I'm curious why you charged to 100% on that first charging stop. You said it was peace of mind, but it gives you only a little more, but charging time increases significantly for that last 15%.

When I drive from SoCal to Vegas, my main gripe is I can get there no problem with one charge to ~80-85% but I arrive at the resort with little left that I can't drive much once there. Or I'll have to plan a charging stop at the nearby RAN when I leave. Not a fan of the latter since I'm itching to get back home.

I say that because even if I charge to 100% on the Barstow spot (either RAN or Tesla), I arrive at Las Vegas with little.

Thats why the Cal Trans Rest stop is a good spot, or Peggy Sue's.

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