[Gavinmcc]

So it looks like I will be buying a 2019 Chevy Bolt this Saturday in Bullhead City Arizona. I plan to drive it home from the dealership to Albuquerque. But from dealer to first CCS fast charger in Flagstaff is 180 miles...at all highway speed.

Now I think I can make that as I know, if I’m burning electrons too fast at 75-80 mph, I can slow to 70 and get more miles.

But there are two other concerns:

1. This will be my first time with a Bolt. I am not familiar on its limits. And there aren’t many slow chargers along this path. I really hope not to have to stop at any 110 v outlets and get 4 miles each hour of sitting.

2. More importantly: Bullhead city is at about 600 feet elevation. Flagstaff is at 7,000...so it is both highway speeds and major elevation gain for 180 miles. The car mileage says 238 range, but no way does that include this type of driving. Luckily it will be warm weather so that won’t hurt range like winter driving.

After Flagstaff there are more fast charges so the remaining 320 mile drive shouldn’t be an issue...

Still 500 miles in a day for my first drive is a bit daunting.

But mostly I just hope to hear from people who have driven I-40 and know that the Bolt can (or can’t) make it that distance from basically the Cali/Az border to Flagstaff.

Thanks
Gavin

 

[RichCapeCod]

Gavin, make sure the dealership puts in a 100% charge for you when you go to pick up the Bolt (mine didn't, but it was a none-issue for me). Do keep in mind that if you keep your speed down to around 65 mph you'll extend your range significantly. Not much point in going faster, if that will result in you needing additional charging time.

Forget about 110v charging. Won't be of any practical use for the type of trip you will be taking.

Good luck and enjoy the Bolt,

Rich

 

[SparkE]

Consider driving at the same speed as some big-rig (and behind it), around 55 or so and about 6-8 seconds back - you will get considerably better mileage on a full charge. (4 seconds is considered a safe distance behind another vehicle.) Yes, it will take longer. Yes, it can be done. The big problem I see is DO NOT USE A/C - which will suck range (you are at the limit of safe range already, with no real safe backups except an overnight stay at the holiday inn in Williams ).

 

[Vertiformed]

I'd recommend you use abetterrouteplanner.com to plan your route, and then check charge locations with PlugShare and use that to adjust the route.

It looks to me like the elevation gain really kills you. Physics says that raising 3700 lbs 6500 ft requires 9 kWh (before any efficiency losses).

The plan from abetterrouteplanner.com recommends driving super slow, but perhaps I'd do it differently...

Maybe I'd stop at the Historic Route 66 General Store and Level-2 charge, but then I'd need to bring a charger with me since all they have is plugs. An hour would give back 6–7 kWh which would make life a lot easier.

Probably I'd just overnight at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Williams which has a Level-2 charger, or just stop although there are mixed reports of non-guests being able to charge. But I'd want to call first and let them know that I need to charge overnight.

 

[Gavinmcc]

I'd recommend you use abetterrouteplanner.com to plan your route, and then check charge locations with PlugShare and use that to adjust the route.

It looks to me like the elevation gain really kills you. Physics says that raising 3700 lbs 6500 ft requires 9 kWh (before any efficiency losses).

The plan from abetterrouteplanner.com recommends driving super slow, but perhaps I'd do it differently...

Maybe I'd stop at the Historic Route 66 General Store and Level-2 charge, but then I'd need to bring a charger with me since all they have is plugs. An hour would give back 6–7 kWh which would make life a lot easier.

Probably I'd just overnight at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Williams which has a Level-2 charger, or just stop although there are mixed reports of non-guests being able to charge. But I'd want to call first and let them know that I need to charge overnight.

Yeah I looked at Williams exit and it seemed to have some mixed reviews on what works and what doesn’t...

I’m sure I can get that far, and if I visit for a bit (Williams is a cute town) at level two I have no problems getting to Flagstaff and then DC fast charging from there home...

Guess I call Williams hotels...

Gavin

 

[PhilR]

Now I think I can make that as I know, if I’m burning electrons too fast at 75-80 mph, I can slow to 70 and get more miles...

I just drove a 150 mile trip from Lake Havasu to Las Vegas. Desert heat plus lots of elevation changes. I ended up with about 30 miles reserve and I drove conservatively. My recommendation is to reverse your plan - start out driving 65 mph or slower then maybe increase later once you're sure you'll make it.

 

[Vertiformed]

start out driving 65 mph or slower then maybe increase later once you're sure you'll make it.

As @SparkE said, I'd also generally recommend tucking in behind a big-rig. Don't tailgate, just stay a normal following distance behind. If you find a truck driving at 70 mph, being behind that will easily beat going at 65 mph alone.

 

[SteveCaz]

Turn off AC.

 

[PhilR]

Turn off AC.

Bullhead City, AZ forecast for Saturday: 112F

 

[Vertiformed]

Turn off AC.

I always wonder at these kinds of suggestions. They tell people to drive with the A/C off, going 45 mph on the freeway with their hazard lights flashing, getting tooted by every car on the road, for 500 miles in 110 ℉ weather. This sounds like hėll to me.

If you can't do the ideal trip, rather than make yourself suffer, instead make the trip not all about the drive. Add a stop. Overnight if need be. Do something else.

Better to be a bit extravagant in taking care of yourself than to turn your life into a hellscape.

 

[Gavinmcc]

I decided to get a car transport company to ship it to me...Just didn't like that leg from Bullhead City to Flagstaff...no real fast charging and limited slow charging. And that elevation gain is just a drain on the batteries.

Funny, lots of fast chargers between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, but limited from Flagstaff going west.

Gavin