Route suggestions for towing through PA

[fastwheels]

I will be towing a car trailer from Michigan to Millville, NJ in 2 weeks and am hoping I can get some suggestions from members that are familiar with eastern PA. I'll be coming in on I80, and after a lot of ABRP/Plugshare DCFC searching/Google maps & Streetview planning, I am tentatively thinking of dropping down through State College and Harrisburg on my way to my final charge stop at the Christiana RAN prior to arrival in Millville.

Charging looks good until I get off I80, then it gets a bit challenging. State College has both EA and SC (I just got my adapter last month - tested well) but charging with a trailer could be tricky. The same applies to Harrisburg area (EA and SC in/near Mechanicsburg). If efficiency allows, I could forgo Harrisburg and push to the SC in Lancaster, PA, but that does not look any more trailer friendly.

The section from Lancaster to Christiana is the biggest question as there appears to be no good direct route that is not running through a lot of city environments. I'd rather not go through Philly of Baltimore pulling a trailer, and I would like to take the route that will minimize the drive time.

I did some efficiency comparisons related to speed last summer with a trailer and from that I'm going to try to keep my speed at 65 or less. Trailer weight is about 5000.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

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[ksurfier]

There are a few options…but my question is why not rent a one way towing vehicle? That trip will take nearly 25-30 hours (drive 90 miles; charge 45-60 min). If not charging it will still take 16 hours or so.

here’s a map to help visualize potential routes:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=159bpC_x9JMg2487we6pbgW4ePeQmvT8&usp=sharing

you can cut thru Niagara Falls, or south thru Erie and New York. If going thru PA, there’s a central route or southern route.

not sure how much you plan to drive each day?

safely could be done 2-3 days.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

The section from Lancaster to Christiana is the biggest question as there appears to be no good direct route that is not running through a lot of city environments. I'd rather not go through Philly of Baltimore pulling a trailer, and I would like to take the route that will minimize the drive time.

I grew up along PA-896, which starts near Lancaster PA and becomes DE-896 in Newark DE (a few miles southwest of Christiana). Somewhat winding road with some hills, especially in southern Chester County, but you should be fine depending on what you're trailering.

Best wishes!

 

[fastwheels]

There are a few options…but my question is why not rent a one way towing vehicle? That trip will take nearly 25-30 hours (drive 90 miles; charge 45-60 min). If not charging it will still take 16 hours or so.

here’s a map to help visualize potential routes:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=159bpC_x9JMg2487we6pbgW4ePeQmvT8&usp=sharing

you can cut thru Niagara Falls, or south thru Erie and New York. If going thru PA, there’s a central route or southern route.

not sure how much you plan to drive each day?

safely could be done 2-3 days.

I'm doing a round trip, staying in Millville for 3 days for a track event at NJ Motorsports Park, so renting a tow vehicle is not an option. It is 867 miles that we will be doing in 2 days. Based on my previous towing experiences with the R1T, I know I can normally get 120-140 miles between charges. Total driving/charging time should be under 20 hours.

Going through Niagara is far out of the way, and much more expensive due to lack of RAN and higher electric rates.

 

[fastwheels]

I grew up along PA-896, which starts near Lancaster PA and becomes DE-896 in Newark DE (a few miles southwest of Christiana). Somewhat winding road with some hills, especially in southern Chester County, but you should be fine depending on what you're trailering.

Best wishes!

I was thinking about getting down to 272 and taking that to I95, then up to Christiana. Looks like 896 crosses 272 in Russellville. I was leery of taking 896 through Newark due to traffic concerns - pulling a car trailer I'm trying to avoid larger cities. What is 896 like through Newark? Very congested? I think we would be going through around noon.

 

[Foobar]

It’s doable but be prepared to decouple the trailer for some charging stops. Once you come to terms with setting that as the expectation, it becomes less stressful. If you’re able to stay hitched when you charge, consider it a bonus. Also avoid malls on busy shopping times - you will not have a good time unless it’s an RAN without general parking double duty.

 

[KBabione]

I've charged at the EA charger in State College a couple of times and it would be really tough with a trailer because of where it's located, but the SC would work. Every time we've driven past it there have only been 1-2 cars charging AND it's on the opposite side of the Sheetz from the gas pumps. Here's the view:

I live near Lancaster and haven't had to charge in Harrisburg so I can't help you there.

The SC in Lancaster is at another Sheetz in the "back corner" of the property:

It's ugly, but again underutilized, so I'm sure you'll be able to make it work. Sheetz shares the building with a bank - the drive-in is the lower-left of the photo above, so you can't block it completely. We just don't have any other fast chargers in Lancaster. Turn into Sheetz directly from Greenfield road and it's a straight shot to the chargers (like the silver pickup in the photo above). Ideally you'd be able to take the right-most charger in the left "set" and then your trailer isn't blocking much at all.

From Sheetz in Lancaster to the RAN in Christiana it's an easy drive - one that a lot of tractor trailers do regularly. Just head east on Rte. 30 and take Rte. 41 south to DE. Going through Lancaster city is also not difficult if you want to take 222/272 to 95...Again lots of trucks.

I'd offer my L2 charger for a couple of hours, but my garage alley isn't so trailer friendly either, but we could make it work as a last resort. Let me know if you'd like me to do any sleuthing for you in the next two weeks in the Lancaster area. The Sheetz there is right next to Costco so I'm there at least once a week, although I've never had to charge at the SC. I've been through that bank drive-through a couple of times so I've seen the setup first hand. Depending on your exact timing I might even be able to head over there 30 minutes before you're arriving and "encourage" Tesla drivers to choose chargers that would make it easier for you to pull in with a trailer.

Safe travels!

 

[ksurfier]

There are a few options…but my question is why not rent a one way towing vehicle? That trip will take nearly 25-30 hours (drive 90 miles; charge 45-60 min). If not charging it will still take 16 hours or so.

here’s a map to help visualize potential routes:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=159bpC_x9JMg2487we6pbgW4ePeQmvT8&usp=sharing

you can cut thru Niagara Falls, or south thru Erie and New York. If going thru PA, there’s a central route or southern route.

not sure how much you plan to drive each day?

safely could be done 2-3 days.

Here’s ChatGPTs take:
“
Route 3: I-70 Route

Grand Rapids, MI to Millville, NJ
Distance: Approximately 710 miles

Charging Stops:

1. Lansing, MI (Tesla Supercharger)
• Distance from Start: 70 miles
• Charging Time: 30 minutes
• Amenities: Shopping and dining options available.
2. Fort Wayne, IN (Electrify America)
• Distance from Lansing: 100 miles
• Charging Time: 30-45 minutes
• Amenities: Located at a Walmart with access to food and restrooms.
3. Columbus, OH (Tesla Supercharger)
• Distance from Fort Wayne: 120 miles
• Charging Time: 30 minutes
• Amenities: Near shopping centers and restaurants.
4. Cambridge, OH (Electrify America)
• Distance from Columbus: 80 miles
• Charging Time: 30-45 minutes
• Amenities: Located at a Walmart with access to food and restrooms.
5. Pittsburgh, PA (Tesla Supercharger)
• Distance from Cambridge: 110 miles
• Charging Time: 30 minutes
• Amenities: Near shopping centers and restaurants.
6. Altoona, PA (Electrify America)
• Distance from Pittsburgh: 115 miles
• Charging Time: 30-45 minutes
• Amenities: Located at a Walmart with access to food and restrooms.
7. Harrisburg, PA (Tesla Supercharger)
• Distance from Altoona: 100 miles
• Charging Time: 30 minutes
• Amenities: Near several restaurants and shopping centers.
8. Millville, NJ (Destination)

Advantages of the I-70 Route:

• Avoids Major City Centers: This route bypasses larger cities like Cleveland, Buffalo, and Philadelphia, which can be congested, especially during summer.
• Less Congested Highways: I-70 generally experiences less traffic compared to I-80 and I-90, making for a smoother and potentially faster drive.
• Balanced Charging Options: The route offers a good mix of Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America stations, ensuring flexibility and reliability in charging.

Disadvantages:

• Fewer Major Cities: While this reduces congestion, it also means fewer large city amenities if you need them.
• Longer Gaps Between Stops: Some stretches might feel longer between charging stations, but they remain within the 100-135 mile range.

Comparison with Other Routes:

• I-80 Route: Passes through more congested areas like Youngstown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. Better suited if you prefer having frequent stops with more amenities.
• I-90 Route: Passes through scenic areas but includes more major cities like Cleveland and Buffalo, which can be busy in the summer.

Given these factors, the I-70 route is likely the best option to avoid city centers and congested roads during a summer trip from Grand Rapids to Millville. This route balances avoiding heavy traffic areas with having adequate charging infrastructure”

Additional info:

Stops and Alternate Chargers:

1. Lansing, MI
• Primary Charger: Tesla Supercharger, 5746 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI
• Alternate Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 409 N Marketplace Blvd, Lansing, MI (3 miles away)
2. Fort Wayne, IN
• Primary Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 10420 Maysville Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
• Alternate Charger: Tesla Supercharger at Glenbrook Square, 4201 Coldwater Rd, Fort Wayne, IN (4 miles away)
3. Columbus, OH
• Primary Charger: Tesla Supercharger, Easton Town Center, 4005 The Strand W, Columbus, OH
• Alternate Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 3900 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH (2 miles away)
4. Cambridge, OH
• Primary Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 61205 Southgate Rd, Cambridge, OH
• Alternate Charger: Tesla Supercharger at Sheetz, 2031 E Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH (3 miles away)
5. Pittsburgh, PA
• Primary Charger: Tesla Supercharger at The Mall at Robinson, 100 Robinson Centre Dr, Pittsburgh, PA
• Alternate Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 250 Summit Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA (2 miles away)
6. Altoona, PA
• Primary Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 2600 Plank Rd, Altoona, PA
• Alternate Charger: Tesla Supercharger at Sheetz, 1915 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA (3 miles away)
7. Harrisburg, PA
• Primary Charger: Tesla Supercharger at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St, Harrisburg, PA
• Alternate Charger: Electrify America at Walmart, 6535 Grayson Rd, Harrisburg, PA (4 miles away)

Conclusion:

• Lansing, MI: Tesla Supercharger and Electrify America are very close, providing good options.
• Fort Wayne, IN: Both charger networks are available within a short distance.
• Columbus, OH: Convenient access to both Tesla and Electrify America chargers.
• Cambridge, OH: Both charging options are close to each other, ensuring flexibility.
• Pittsburgh, PA: Chargers from both networks are available within a short drive.
• Altoona, PA: Multiple options ensure you can choose based on convenience.
• Harrisburg, PA: Similar proximity for both chargers, providing good coverage.

Using these stops and their alternates should give you a reliable and flexible charging strategy for your trip

 

[supernu8]

From Sheetz in Lancaster to the RAN in Christiana it's an easy drive

KBabione's post is spot on. Rt41 is easy with a trailer, you may hit some stop and go from traffic lights. Chargers are generally underutilized around this area, it will just be a matter of trying to angle the trailer to not block traffic. Christiana mall lot is open enough that you'll be blocking lanes but wont be an issue.

Don't underestimate the elevation changes into/out of state college though. There are some decent hills that will suck up range so you may need to stop in Harrisburg for a full charge to make is back to state college.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

I was thinking about getting down to 272 and taking that to I95, then up to Christiana. Looks like 896 crosses 272 in Russellville. I was leery of taking 896 through Newark due to traffic concerns - pulling a car trailer I'm trying to avoid larger cities. What is 896 like through Newark? Very congested? I think we would be going through around noon.

Living on the West Coast for nearly 25 years. My last time driving through Newark was in 2019.

I don't mind driving through Newark, but I don't know if you would. All routes involve some 90-degree turns, but none is particularly narrow. I'm guessing that all but the longest trailers should be pretty comfortable to drive on the state highways.

Likely congested during college move-in and move-out, also for football games if the stadium is still on 896 south of campus.

DE-273 is a more direct route from Newark to Christiana.

I hope this helps!

 

[TTedP]

just adding in case you didn't already see it, the Breezewood RAN (off I-76) has a pull-through spot in addition to 4 regular nose in spots.

 

[fastwheels]

It’s doable but be prepared to decouple the trailer for some charging stops. Once you come to terms with setting that as the expectation, it becomes less stressful. If you’re able to stay hitched when you charge, consider it a bonus. Also avoid malls on busy shopping times - you will not have a good time unless it’s an RAN without general parking double duty.

That is exactly what I'm thinking. Prepared to unhitch, but hoping not to. Fortunately, I've been able to build a route with 5 RANs on it, but that stretch through PA does not.

 

[Foobar]

PA isnt the best for charging, but I’ve made it across the entire state with a trailer in tow multiple times and that was before the Tesla SC network became an option. You’ll be fine, but you will be watching your range anxiously for some stretches.

 

[fastwheels]

I've charged at the EA charger in State College a couple of times and it would be really tough with a trailer because of where it's located, but the SC would work. Every time we've driven past it there have only been 1-2 cars charging AND it's on the opposite side of the Sheetz from the gas pumps. Here's the view:

I live near Lancaster and haven't had to charge in Harrisburg so I can't help you there.

The SC in Lancaster is at another Sheetz in the "back corner" of the property:

It's ugly, but again underutilized, so I'm sure you'll be able to make it work. Sheetz shares the building with a bank - the drive-in is the lower-left of the photo above, so you can't block it completely. We just don't have any other fast chargers in Lancaster. Turn into Sheetz directly from Greenfield road and it's a straight shot to the chargers (like the silver pickup in the photo above). Ideally you'd be able to take the right-most charger in the left "set" and then your trailer isn't blocking much at all.

From Sheetz in Lancaster to the RAN in Christiana it's an easy drive - one that a lot of tractor trailers do regularly. Just head east on Rte. 30 and take Rte. 41 south to DE. Going through Lancaster city is also not difficult if you want to take 222/272 to 95...Again lots of trucks.

I'd offer my L2 charger for a couple of hours, but my garage alley isn't so trailer friendly either, but we could make it work as a last resort. Let me know if you'd like me to do any sleuthing for you in the next two weeks in the Lancaster area. The Sheetz there is right next to Costco so I'm there at least once a week, although I've never had to charge at the SC. I've been through that bank drive-through a couple of times so I've seen the setup first hand. Depending on your exact timing I might even be able to head over there 30 minutes before you're arriving and "encourage" Tesla drivers to choose chargers that would make it easier for you to pull in with a trailer.

Safe travels!

Thanks for the observations about those sites - Streetview and photos in Plugshare don't tell the whole story...

Appreciate the L2 offer, but time spent charging is a significant factor to if we have to unhitch to charge that's what we'll do! Not sure when we will be rolling through - probably early afternoon Wednesday 24th. Hoping it's not a busy charging day... Going back on Sunday.

 

[KBabione]

Appreciate the L2 offer, but time spent charging is a significant factor to if we have to unhitch to charge that's what we'll do! Not sure when we will be rolling through - probably early afternoon Wednesday 24th. Hoping it's not a busy charging day... Going back on Sunday.

I'll be out of town both times you're transiting through the Lancaster area - sorry! I do hope your travels go well.

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