First Tesla Road Trip: A Journey of Highs, Lows, and Lessons Learned

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When life hands you a week full of whirlwind travel, why not throw in a Tesla rental to keep things interesting? Attending my nephew’s wedding in Seattle, WA, I'd land in Orlando, FL, without time to make a connecting flight but just enough time to grab a car and hit the road to Pensacola, FL, for a week-long hospital assignment. With someone else footing the bill, it was the perfect chance to test drive the much-talked-about Tesla, whose price was on par with traditional cars. Here's how my 554 km (344 miles) adventure went down.


The Good Decisions

Pre-trip Prep: I did my homework. The rental agency provided a wealth of material, and I devoured it all. Their YouTube tutorials on starting, steering, and charging the car were invaluable.

Agent Assistance: The rental agent was a gem. She not only pulled the car around from the supercharging station but also gave me a comprehensive walkthrough of the display, helped me connect my iPhone, and supervised my test drive in the parking lot.

Expert Advice: My daughter, a Tesla veteran, shared her wisdom. She pointed out the hidden charger in the trunk (or “frunk,” as Tesla aficionados call it) and ensured I was comfortable with the car’s quirks.

Smooth Sailing: Everyone warned me about Tesla’s rapid acceleration. By gently pressing the accelerator, I avoided any herky-jerky starts.

Entertainment On-the-Go: I synced my phone, queued up an audiobook, and set the radio to a station I enjoyed, readying myself for what I thought would be a six-hour journey.

Route Planning: The charging stations were conveniently displayed on the screen, thanks to the agent’s guidance.


The Mistakes Made

Mirror Adjustment Mishap: I forgot to adjust the mirrors. A mile down the road, I found myself at a gas station, calling my daughter for help with the car’s settings.

Wi-Fi Woes: Connecting to Netflix via the car’s big screen proved impossible without Wi-Fi. A missed opportunity to catch up on my shows during charging breaks.

Charger Confusion: I didn’t bring the right charger for my iPhone. After a friendly Tesla owner pointed me to the center panel’s charger, I still had to buy an adaptor for the cigarette lighter power port at a gas station.

Charging Misunderstandings: I underestimated the charging requirements, leading to three stops instead of the one I had planned for. The first charge to 80% took half an hour, but the second, a full hour, still left me with only 11% battery at my destination.

Hotel Hassles: Neither my hotel nor the hospital had charging stations. Trips to the only local Super Charger station at a strip mall for an hour-long charge became necessary upon arrival and prior to departure.

Battery Drain Dilemmas: Despite minimal driving, the battery drained faster than expected. By day six in the hospital parking lot, it was down to 30%, with less than 50 miles driven.

The Dislikes
Rookie Mistakes: With my second recharge, I felt like I understood the system. I was wrong. While I'd taken a long walk on a hot day to find food, the super charger was not connected properly costing me another hour to recharge. After that, I made sure it was charging before I left the car. My seventh recharge, though, something happened with the system and it stopped at 70%. So, watch your screen.

Security Concerns: There’s no easy way to turn off and secure the car from inside. The charging stations, located in less-than-ideal areas, sometimes left me uneasy.

Extended Travel Time: What was supposed to be a six-hour trip turned into a nine-hour marathon due to frequent charging stops. Plus the extra hour recharge for the week's parking lot time.

Cost Savings: When I returned the rental, the recharging charges reached $134. I estimate typical petrol costs wouldn't have exceeded $250. So the extra seven hours for charging made it a big loss on the money spent.


The Likes

Design and Efficiency: The car is sleek, sporty, and theoretically energy-efficient.

Driving Ease: The steering is straightforward, and the car is a joy to drive with its great responsiveness.

Intuitive Controls: The windshield wiper settings and display screen quickly became second nature.

Sunroof Splendor: The sunroof offers an expansive sky view, adding to the car’s spacious feel.

Sustainability: The idea of energy efficiency and sustainability is appealing.


Overall Experience

Despite the hiccups, it was a positive rental experience. Returning the car required an early start, but the rental company was accommodating, allowing me to extend my return time. The agent’s patience and the hands-on rental process were impressive.

Would I consider a Tesla for my family’s next car? Absolutely. For a trip under 100 miles or with a car with an extended battery life, it's awesome. It’s an adventure worth repeating.

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