3,800 mile road trip in R1T - Seattle, WA to Tucson, AZ (and back)

[jghuman]

We took our R1T on a roadtrip down to Tucson from Seattle and I wanted to share some details on our experience.

We went down I-5 and then east on I-10. We stopped for the night in Portland, San Jose and Pasadena.

On our way to Portland and the second day heading to San Jose we had rain most of the time. Seemed to increase consumption.

We saw peak charging around 205 kW when we were able to use a 350 kW station such as the one in Sutherlin, OR.

We had no issues at any EA charging stations heading down, once we got past the LA area temperatures went to 105-108 but we didn't see any issues with charging. The car did tell us that the rate was limited due to battery temperature. Those message were helpful in seeing what was slowing down charging.

One issue that was caused by the heat was that the front door started to rub on the front fender when opening it. Once it cooled down a bit it stopping doing it (until the drive back).

The Rivian was easy to drive and wasn't tiring to drive. I used the adaptive cruise control most of the way but not Driver+ because it seemed to keep too close to other cars in the next lane over.

Lots of people taking photos on the highway and asking questions at charging stations. Didn't expect people to be so interested in it, I have owned a Bentley and have a G63 but they got way less attention this this pickup!

We stayed in Tucson for a few days and I went to Phoenix for the day. Was able to do that without having to stop to charge. I installed a charger at our place in Tucson so it was easy to keep charged. Noticed that we need to do a tint to help reduce the heat that comes in from the windows and roof glass. A little surprised that the windshield doesn't have an IR coating.

My son sure loved sitting in the drivers seat, ha.

Heading back we drove from Tucson to San Jose in one day and from San Jose to Seattle two days later. We were originally going to head back via Moab, SLC and Boise but had leave Tucson later than expected and didn't want to take the riskier route (with respect to chargers).

We drove 80-85 mph most of the trip (and it seemed in Arizona we were driving on the slow end of traffic.)

Heading to San Jose we were able to stop only 3 times to change but that involved cutting it very close. We pulled into a charger in Harris Ranch, CA with just a 4 mile range. Wouldn't do that again, the AC cut out when the range was at 15 miles.

On the way back to Seattle from San Jose we were able to hit 214 kW on a charger, that has been the fastest I have seen. It was in Yreka, CA.

And we got a free charge in Longview, WA due to the 4th

At the end of trip here were our numbers:

I used conserve mode for most of the highway driving expect for the first two days when it was raining (I used all purpose to extra control) and I used sport mode in the mountains of OR on the way back (was way too fun to be stuck in conserve mode.) When on the highway I was driving from 75-85 mph most of the time.

This was our first time doing a roadtrip in an EV and it wasn't bad at all. The Rivian was a great vehicle to for a roadtrip, we had lots of things to take down with us and there was so much storage. Other than the door rubbing due to the heat we had no other issues at all which was great.

Anything else that someone wants to know about road-tripping the Rivian?

Sponsored

 

[ADVNOW]

One issue that was caused by the heat was that the front door started to rub on the front fender when opening it. Once it cooled down a bit it stopping doing it (until the drive back).

I have a ticket in for the same issue seems that it rubs when above 90 degrees for me. I turned in the ticket in May and still waiting on fix however the rub noise is gone now but so is the paint.

 

[CaptainX]

I appreciate your road trip report. Thanks for posting the stats. Would you mind sharing the total charging expenses for the trip? I currently own a Tesla X and a VW ID.4, both of which have some form of free fast charging, so I rarely have paid for other than home charging. - Also, what brand of EVSE did you install for your home charging? TIA.

 

[ADVNOW]

sounds like you had a good experience. We are doing our first long trip this weekend to Tahoe but only about 480 miles for us. we will be trying the Rivian charger on the 395 so we'll see how they compare to EA network chargers.

 

[Khaneric]

Any issues between Phoenix and Palm Springs?

I'm a bit worried making that drive with Quartzsite being the only EA station and only high speed DCFC on the route.

 

[kizamybute']

Nice report. Thanks for the info.

Last week it was well over 100 degrees in So Cal, didn't have any door issues. Will have to take a look next time it gets that hot.

 

[Denver_Paulie]

Appreciate the great write up on the adventure in your Rivian. And, glad it all went smoothly. Hopefully, it will quiet down the "you can't road trip in a Rivian because the CCS charging network does not work" crowd.

For this week, at least.

 

[3121]

Such a shame they are still building trucks with poor panel alignment. How is this making it past all their “inspections”? That gap looks so obviously tight it would clearly be an issue, let alone with heat on it.

 

[MNLightning]

Great report, I think 2.17kw is a great number for your average speeds.

 

[RBR1S]

We took our R1T on a roadtrip down to Tucson from Seattle and I wanted to share some details on our experience.

We went down I-5 and then east on I-10. We stopped for the night in Portland, San Jose and Pasadena.

On our way to Portland and the second day heading to San Jose we had rain most of the time. Seemed to increase consumption.

I used conserve mode for most of the highway driving expect for the first two days when it was raining (I used all purpose to extra control) and I used sport mode in the mountains of OR on the way back (was way too fun to be stuck in conserve mode.) When on the highway I was driving from 75-85 mph most of the time.

Great review and I've looked at this route for trips a few times, so I'll copy you at some point in R1S.


Can you go into any detail on what it felt like driving in the rain, I noticed you mentioned it twice so I'm curious how it behaved and how heavy the rain was.

Another WA driver - and we all know it rains a lot here, so you got me thinking.

 

[jghuman]

We paid $347 to Electrify America for all the charging, but we did charge a bit at my in-laws' place in San Jose, used EVGO in the Bay Area (which was awful - very slow) and home charged in Tucson. I have driven down to San Jose multiple times in a G63 (16 mpg if I am very very lucky), so this was super cheap.

We have the Rivian charger at home in Seattle and I took the Chargepoint I had previous down to Tucson and installed it there. I am hoping that the Rivian one gets some updates that enable something new and exciting with the truck. Plus the pre March 1 price was too good to pass up.

Both times between Phoenix and Palm Springs we stopped in Quartzite - no issues. Coming back I think one station wasn't working but there wasn't anyone else there. Going there was a Kia EV6, i4 and Taycan. The in charge navigation range estimate was basically dead on for us - maybe +/- 5 miles. It must take elevation changes into consideration.

The photo of the gap is with 105 F temperatures and it partially open to show it rubbing. Normally the gap seems fine, but I think the door is a bit proud which is causing the issue. I think it should be easy to adjust the hinge. Hopefully it can be resolved...

Driving in the rain was uneventful - did a great job. I only put it in all purpose mode because I got the front wheels to lose traction (in the dry) a few times when pushing it harder - wanted to be careful and not end up on the side of the road, ha.

 

[SeaGeo]

One issue that was caused by the heat was that the front door started to rub on the front fender when opening it. Once it cooled down a bit it stopping doing it (until the drive back).

I have a ticket in for the same issue seems that it rubs when above 90 degrees for me. I turned in the ticket in May and still waiting on fix however the rub noise is gone now but so is the paint.

Same! This weekend it happens to us in Boise and I was baffled for a moment. Once it cooled off it was obvious it was temp related. I have a ticket submitted for it. As you said, the gap seemed fine before, but is a bit tight in hindsight.

 

[ADVNOW]

Such a shame they are still building trucks with poor panel alignment. How is this making it past all their “inspections”? That gap looks so obviously tight it would clearly be an issue, let alone with heat on it.

The panels actually aligned perfect the Gap looks good. my issue is the front fender and drivers door. when the door heats up in the sun that's when the issue shows up. the gap does not have enough tolerance for the expansion rate of the two aluminum panels that move as they heat up. the rubbing is a very small area about 1/4 "

Sponsored