Holiday Winter Trip. Should I try it?

[projet_pat]

Hello All,
Currently debating taking my 2025 Premium AWD Mach-E from Western ND to Tacoma WA for the Holiday. Temps looks to range from 20F - 45F on the days of driving, the longest distance between Fast Chargers is roughly 140 Miles, otherwise chargers appear readily available along my route (95% of the drive will be I-94 and 1-90).

Any high level thoughts on attempting this trip? I've already accepted the fact I'll be stopping quite a bit more often in these colder temps, just don't want to get stuck somewhere in the mountain passes with a dead battery.

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[RickMachE]

ABRP will tell you. On the 140 mile part, note whether it recommends reduced speed. You might need to charge to a higher SOC too.

Watch for headwinds, and pay attention to efficiency.

 

[B177y]

I have done that route twice in my Lightning ER (EPA 320 mile range), Sequim, WA - Watford City, ND round trip. My experience is that there is plenty of charging along the way. The most difficult section is Miles City to Billings, but it was still totally doable even in cold. Your MME ER should also do just fine.

My first trip in Oct-Nov 2024 I drove the speed limit of 80 mph which cost me in efficiency, but was done without any range anxiety.

This year, again Oct-Nov, I kept my speed to 72 mph maximum which gained me some efficiency so there was absolutely zero range anxiety. Time of travel was about the same as the 80 mph drive because charging was quicker with reduced consumption from the reduced speed. This year there were also more chargers available as backups to Tesla and EA. There are a couple of Rivian chargers now, some new Pilot and Circle-K chargers, and some chargers at dealerships if you really get into a bind. Make sure you have a Tesla adapter and know how to use it. Subscribe to Tesla and EA for discounted rates, and know how to access those rates through the respective apps.

Both trips had warm sunny weather, cold weather, freezing bridge decks, rain/snow/sleet, side wind, headwind tailwind, etc... No issues.

The charging stops for me are at the same distance as my needed bladder stops. Start the charge, do your business, grab a bite or a coffee, and come back to a charged car. If you have to stop, make the stop at a charger.

If you stay at a hotel to split the drive into 2 days, I recommend the "50,000 Silver Dollar Inn" just west of St Regis in the town of Haugen. They have two free 7kw chargers under a covered awning. The restaurant is good, the gift shop is huge, the bar is great (also serves as the restaurant if needed), and the beds are comfortable. This is 100% a rural Montana truck stop that has everything you need, don't expect anything fancy. Free breakfast coupon at the restaurant if you spend the night at the hotel - 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, and pancakes with a beverage - what else do you need? If for some reason the chargers are full, they allow you to plug in to their NEMA 14-50 plugs in the camping spots so bring your travel charger along just in case, but I doubt that both chargers will be taken. It's 100% worth the overnight stay. I spent the night there going in each direction of my trip this year and was able to charge from near 20% into the high 90's overnight.

Like @RickMachE says, check ABRP and Plugshare before the trip. Have it mapped out. Play with ABRP to get a feel for the distances and charging. I used ABRP (paid version) and Google maps for the actual in car navigation using Android Auto.

 

[Charge_Rob]

I did this route earlier in the summer, and I would have no issue during it in winter, just be sure to manage the speed if you're heading into strong winds up there - just because the speed limit is 80 doesn't mean you have to drive 80. Driving 80 into 35 mph headwinds in June was pretty ridiculously bad for efficiency but can't control the weather. The charging was all excellent at each (mostly EA) location along the route.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I've taken lots of very cold trips and recommend the "recycle air" game. If you put your HVAC on recycle, it will re-heat the already warm inside air and save a lot of energy. The car will flip back to fresh automatically to prevent fogging up.

The game is to check it every 30-45 minutes and turn it back on lol.

Press the button to activate the selection screen.

Press the button to recirculate air currently in the passenger compartment.

Note: Recirculated air may turn off automatically, or prevent you from switching on in all air flow modes except MAX A/C to reduce the risk of fogging. Recirculation may also turn on and off automatically in various air distribution control combinations to improve heating or cooling efficiency.

 

[RickMachE]

When I saw the mention of Billings, it jogged my memory. We drove from Michigan to Billings in the Lightning in January. That leg had very high winds. We charged to 90.5% (CarScanner) in Miles City, temp was in the low teens, with wind about 20mph headwind. We needed to go 139 miles, and had been achieving efficiencies of 1.2 to 1.3 miles per kWh since leaving Bismarck that morning. No hotel charging, so we charged the night prior to 90.5% 1/2 mile away, with 118kWh of energy in the pack.

When we left the Miles City Tesla SuperCharger, we had 118.45kWh in the pack. Assuming a minimal margin of 10%, we needed to get 139/(118.45*.8)=1.47 miles per kWh to make it. Clearly, based on the previous legs, that was not possible. Answer - STFD.

We started out driving 65 with no heat, temp around 23 degrees by then. As we got cold (we were dressed for the weather), I'd turn on the heat for a few minutes (much better heater than Mach-E), then off again. With the CarScanner app running, you can display your instant miles per kWh, as well as look at the This Trip. Since we were achieving 1.6 to 2.0, In sped up to 68mph as we proceeded.

We ended up getting 1.5 on that leg, arriving in Billings with a displayed range of 24 miles at 16%.

While some may throw up their hands at this, there is an RV park in Forsyth with 14-50 outlets and an owner very supportive. There is also a Blink in Custer level 2. So if you have a brain and know your vehicle, you have options. The key is to a) know your efficiency and monitor it, b) do the math, and c) keep aware, i.e. don't pass a charging location unless you know you're good. But, most important, is SLOW DOWN.

 

[MadMatt]

Question for all of you,

it is my understanding that the cost of fast chargers makes it so your paying more money per mile vs an average efficient gas car.

is this true?

 

[MacherAWD]

Question for all of you,

it is my understanding that the cost of fast chargers makes it so your paying more money per mile vs an average efficient gas car.

is this true?

In Canada or America? In America yes, fast chargers cost more, but our gas is cheaper than canada, and our electric is more expensive.

 

[B177y]

Question for all of you,

it is my understanding that the cost of fast chargers makes it so your paying more money per mile vs an average efficient gas car.

is this true?

Too many variables and possibilities to say yes or no. It depends.

I think overall cost per mile is less, and driving an EV on a roadtrip is nicer and more enjoyable than ICE.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Question for all of you,

it is my understanding that the cost of fast chargers makes it so your paying more money per mile vs an average efficient gas car.

is this true?

Depends on how much charging on a road trip will require Superchargers. If you can charge overnight at hotels and friends' homes it will bring costs down. Also, be sure to sign up for one or more charging discount plan. I usually sign up for Tesla and EA before road trips then drop it after.

Then there's extra costs of oil changes, etc. on that gasser that people don't figure in.

Sponsored