Michigan to Florida? Anyone take the journey?

[Ajp247]

Please let me know your experience. Looking to road trip from Michigan to Florida. Does the current infrastructure make it feasible? Any personal stories? Please advise! Thanks

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[RickMachE]

Yes, we've done the trip. Details here - https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/3-800-mile-drive-first-real-world-experience.9058/

Tips:

- If you haven't used your free charging hours, make sure you can see them in your account. Setup Plug and Charge.

- Once your free hours are used up, sign up for EA Pass+, $4 per month. Immediately downgrade, which takes effect later.

- Use ABRP to plan your trip, as well as GoogleMaps. Research each stop on PlugShare.

- Depending where you are starting from, there is close to 200 miles from the greater A2 area to a high speed charger in Huber Heights, Ohio. Not a problem for an ER on the way down. On the way back, charge to 95% to make it to Ypsilanti EA.

- Most states charge by the kWh for EA. Some do not. On your trip, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee are per minute states. That's about 1/2 the cost. Maximize charging in those states. For example, charge as little as possible in Ohio to make it to Kentucky to then charge by the minute. In Georgia, charge to 95% before crossing into Florida. On the return trip, charge as little as possible in Florida and fill up in Georgia.

 

[RockwallRick]

Thanks for the Georgia tip! If I leave my house with 100% charge then I should be able to make it to Valdosta, Ga before dc charging. My only advice would be NOT to travel thru Florida during Love Bug season!!!

 

[Ajp247]

Thanks for the Georgia tip! If I leave my house with 100% charge then I should be able to make it to Valdosta, Ga before dc charging. My only advice would be NOT to travel thru Florida during Love Bug season!!!

Ahhh didn't know about love bugs. Was planning to go in Spetember. Looks like I'll be taking my other vehicle instead ?

 

[RockwallRick]

Ahhh didn't know about love bugs. Was planning to go in Spetember. Looks like I'll be taking my other vehicle instead ?

Definitely NOT good for September, can you go in August or wait till October?

 

[Ajp247]

Definitely NOT good for September, can you go in August or wait till October?

Not this year, that's when my vacation is from work. Maybe next year.

 

[RockwallRick]

Just be prepared to do a Love Bug scrub at each stop in Florida! Last year I did a
400 mile all Florida road trip in August and it was virtually bug free but none of the driving was at night!

 

[Ajp247]

Just be prepared to do a Love Bug scrub at each stop in Florida! Last year I did a
400 mile all Florida road trip in August and it was virtually bug free but none of the driving was at night!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[RockwallRick]

Thanks for the advice!

One more tip! You can avoid the Love Bugs by traveling at night but of course there will be millions of other bugs to scrub but Love Bugs can do the most damage to your paint job if they stay on too long!!

 

[Ajp247]

Yes, we've done the trip. Details here - https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/3-800-mile-drive-first-real-world-experience.9058/

Tips:

- If you haven't used your free charging hours, make sure you can see them in your account. Setup Plug and Charge.

- Once your free hours are used up, sign up for EA Pass+, $4 per month. Immediately downgrade, which takes effect later.

- Use ABRP to plan your trip, as well as GoogleMaps. Research each stop on PlugShare.

- Depending where you are starting from, there is close to 200 miles from the greater A2 area to a high speed charger in Huber Heights, Ohio. Not a problem for an ER on the way down. On the way back, charge to 95% to make it to Ypsilanti EA.

- Most states charge by the kWh for EA. Some do not. On your trip, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee are per minute states. That's about 1/2 the cost. Maximize charging in those states. For example, charge as little as possible in Ohio to make it to Kentucky to then charge by the minute. In Georgia, charge to 95% before crossing into Florida. On the return trip, charge as little as possible in Florida and fill up in Georgia.

I read your posts about your trip. It's obvious EA has some issues they need to work out. This aside, would you say it was an enjoyable experience, or more trouble than it is worth? In retrospect, would you have just taken a gas vehicle to ease these burdens?

 

[RickMachE]

I read your posts about your trip. It's obvious EA has some issues they need to work out. This aside, would you say it was an enjoyable experience, or more trouble than it is worth? In retrospect, would you have just taken a gas vehicle to ease these burdens?

We took the trip in warm weather, last Fall. It was our first long distance trip. I have 1/2 of that route since, and I can tell you that EA has improved things, although far from perfect.

Last December, we drove our F-150 because the decreased winter range would have made the trip too long.

If you drive it in two days, with a hotel stay in the middle (and charging there), to me it's right on the border of acceptable. An ideal day drive in the Mach-E, with charging in the evening, is just under 500 miles. Otherwise, one more stop adds too much to the day IMO. So this trip is right on the edge for me.

It is much more enjoyable driving this in the Mach-E than my F-150, even with the stops, because the Mach-E is more fun to drive.

 

[Ajp247]

We took the trip in warm weather, last Fall. It was our first long distance trip. I have 1/2 of that route since, and I can tell you that EA has improved things, although far from perfect.

Last December, we drove our F-150 because the decreased winter range would have made the trip too long.

If you drive it in two days, with a hotel stay in the middle (and charging there), to me it's right on the border of acceptable. An ideal day drive in the Mach-E, with charging in the evening, is just under 500 miles. Otherwise, one more stop adds too much to the day IMO. So this trip is right on the edge for me.

It is much more enjoyable driving this in the Mach-E than my F-150, even with the stops, because the Mach-E is more fun to drive.

With all the road tripping you have done, and dc fast charging, do you notice any appreciable decline in your battery function?

 

[RickMachE]

With all the road tripping you have done, and dc fast charging, do you notice any appreciable decline in your battery function?

None.

1) How would the average person notice this? Without instruments to analyze the battery, you have no clue as to how much your battery has degraded. None whatsoever.

2) Ford has designed the car to have, at 8 years / 100,000 miles, to retain a minimum of 70% of its original capacity. Assuming (which we should not do), that this means it will be exactly at 70% in 8 years (it won't be), and that it's a linear degradation (?), 30 /8 = 3.75%. How would anyone have a clue if their battery was impacted by 3.75%.

Note only would you not notice any appreciable decline in battery function, but you would not notice any decline, appreciable or not.

We drove a 2010 Fusion Hybrid for 8.5 years. Noticed no change whatsoever. Drove a Fusion Energi for 3 years, charging to 100% every night. Noticed no change whatsoever.

The term "battery degradation" should not be in the mindset for the vast majority of EV owners, ever, during their ownership of the vehicle.

Fun fact to research - how many EV batteries, or PHEV batteries, or Hybrid batteries, have had to replaced in vehicles at dealerships, like Ford dealerships, EVER. I can tell you that in my research, my local service departments laughed and said "none" or "1" when I asked. Research shows you that it should not be a consideration for normal people with normal usage.

 

[Ajp247]

Makes a lot of sense when you put it like that

 

[RickMachE]

Makes a lot of sense when you put it like that

Then again, I'm not taking my OBDII adapter and writing apps to connect to sensor #43B and then analyzing the data over a period to determine the minute fluctuations of the gyscropeter during driving with humidity levels of 45%.

I drive my car, using it in a commonsense way. I have no problem DC charging on trips, going to 90, or 95% when needed to make it to the next stop, nor going below 10% or 5% once every 3 - 6 months. Follow Ford's guidelines, and enjoy your car.

Disclaimer - A gyscropeter may or may not be a real thing.

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