I can't give any advice about that part of the country, but I hope you have a great trip. I'm looking forward to reading about it when you get back.

I think @ARob and several others have been through those areas.

 

Can't really help too much right now but don't make the mistakes at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/road-tripping-in-an-ev.39631/#post-628422.

When crossing between Nor Cal and So Cal, I recommend highway 99 for as much as possible and avoiding 5 since there was more DC FCing choices on 99 than 5 including more free ones (New Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers Now Available Along State Highways in Central California | Caltrans). Of course, you must check Plugshare first.

If you use ABRP, if you need to force it to take 99 instead of 5, add Fresno as a waypoint.

Of course, when going south, you will hit the end of 99 and be forced to get onto 5 to climb the Grapevine / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejon_Pass. There are free DC FCs at Tejon Pass Rest Area - Southbound | Lebec, CA | EV Station. I've used them before just as I have used free ones in Madera Maintenance Station | Madera, CA | EV Station, Delano Maintenance Station | Delano, CA | EV Station, Philip S Raine and Lodi Park & Ride | Lodi, CA | EV Station.

For paid charging, consider joining Bluedot (https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/bluedot-ev-charging-app.50540/) so that you can get 30 cents per kWh on EVgo and ChargePoint ONLY. You must start sessions using the Bluedot app to get that price so it only works on that network. However, Bluedot WILL need your SSN: Why do you need my social security number (SSN)? | Bluedot Help Center. If you're not comfortable with that, don't apply but you'll be paying more for your charging then.

I've found the fastest way to xfer $ in is via debit card # from another bank. The transfer is instant.

 

I have covered some of that territory, will cover more of it in the coming year.

NM has been challenging for us, the ABQ to Las Cruces/Demming stretch is about 230 miles, and only recently got DCFC in Truth or Consequences and Socorro (Chargepoint 62kW units I believe). So the last trip, we took the route from Santa Fe through Carrizozo and Alamogordo. Both of these towns have DCFC, the latter at a GM dealer so closed on weekends and evenings. Las Cruces only has DCFC at the Buick and Hyundai dealers, probably not accessible out of hours (I think the Buick one might be). But I suspect a 100% charge in Roswell should get you to Las Cruces easily, if not beyond. Demming, Lordsburg, Benson, Tucson, and Casa Grande have worked out, but the Outlets in Tucson (EA) are generally crowded and hit or miss on reliability.

Beyond that, I assume you would continue on I-10 to Barstow, I haven't done that stretch but hear mixed reports about Quartzite. Barstow is generally fine, used those EA chargers a number of times, but again a crowded site. Others can comment about heading North to Angels Camp, Citrus Heights, but I hear a lot of folks claim 99 is a better route than 5 so you should be ok.

Before leaving, check out routes using Plugshare or A Better Route Planner. For days you are able to start with 100%, you should be good for 150-200 miles on the first leg, then 100-130 on remaining legs. You won't want to overcharge, anything over 60% or so gets pretty slow, so only go over 60% if necessary. I generally charge until I have enough range to get to the next stop without worry, so 30-50 miles on the GOM over actual distance.

Coastal CA is generally not a problem other than overcrowding at EA sites. EVGo might be a good alternative in SoCal coastal areas.

Good luck!

 

I have covered some of that territory, will cover more of it in the coming year.

NM has been challenging for us, the ABQ to Las Cruces/Demming stretch is about 230 miles, and only recently got DCFC in Truth or Consequences and Socorro (Chargepoint 62kW units I believe). So the last trip, we took the route from Santa Fe through Carrizozo and Alamogordo. Both of these towns have DCFC, the latter at a GM dealer so closed on weekends and evenings. Las Cruces only has DCFC at the Buick and Hyundai dealers, probably not accessible out of hours (I think the Buick one might be). But I suspect a 100% charge in Roswell should get you to Las Cruces easily, if not beyond. Demming, Lordsburg, Benson, Tucson, and Casa Grande have worked out, but the Outlets in Tucson (EA) are generally crowded and hit or miss on reliability.

Beyond that, I assume you would continue on I-10 to Barstow, I haven't done that stretch but hear mixed reports about Quartzite. Barstow is generally fine, used those EA chargers a number of times, but again a crowded site. Others can comment about heading North to Angels Camp, Citrus Heights, but I hear a lot of folks claim 99 is a better route than 5 so you should be ok.

Before leaving, check out routes using Plugshare or A Better Route Planner. For days you are able to start with 100%, you should be good for 150-200 miles on the first leg, then 100-130 on remaining legs. You won't want to overcharge, anything over 60% or so gets pretty slow, so only go over 60% if necessary. I generally charge until I have enough range to get to the next stop without worry, so 30-50 miles on the GOM over actual distance.

Coastal CA is generally not a problem other than overcrowding at EA sites. EVGo might be a good alternative in SoCal coastal areas.

Good luck!

Just a note to say that the Socorro chargers are working and have steady visitors from Hyundai/Ford Mach E and truck Lightning, VW and both Bolt models. ABSOLUTELY none of those are local to Socorro. CAUTION: there are only 2 in the entire town.

 

I hope you read everything on the subject of road-tripping with a Bolt before taking this decision. I will post only some of my thoughts :

• plan for 400-450 miles legs : it will be about 8-9 hours of driving a day (consider the time spent driving and charging to cover the distance you chose as the time spent on driving the distance with a 53 mph limited car).
• drive based on the difference between the distance to destination and the Min value of the GOM. When you see the distance to destination > than Min GOM, slow down till the two are at least equals

 

Most of your routes have chargers in pretty good locations. You will have to try to manage charge plan to mitigate time at chargers. Maybe high costs too. Ideally you'd drive to some kind of low charge and leave around 60%. Better if placed you normally have or want to stop at have chargers. While it is nice to stay at a hotel with a charger you can't be sure to use it.

I'd love to have restaurants with lower DC chargers so you could stay an hour for fill.

 

Plugshare just added real time traffic to maps.

 

Definitely use Plugshare to plan for primary and backup DCFC locations. City / suburban locations can be very congested during the day, so be sure to plan ahead.

I use Bluedot app - 3rd party app that gives you 20% discount on ALL CHARGING (level 2 AC and DCFC). If you charge at EVgo or ChargePoint, youget an even bigger discount ($0.30/kWh to start, drops to $0.25/kWh when you reach BOOST status). It's saved me HUNDREDS of $$$, (maybe over a thousand?) in 10 months of use - very useful on long road trips. FYI, I live in Orange County and have done numerous road trips, longest was 4 week 7,200 mile solo cross country trip: best trip ever.

Feel free to drop me a DM when you get close to Dana Point.

Good luck and happy traveling!

 

The 5 P’s; proper planning prevents poor performance

 

We just got back from an eclipse trip through that area towing a trailer with a Tesla MYLR. Since you're starting in Roswell you probably don't care but the Allsups there worked out and back despite showing under repair in PlugShare. Vaughn worked well as did the EA charger in Gallup (the supercharger was full up according to ABRP). Had considered the route between Roswell and Albuquerque via Carrizozo but thought better of it after seeing reports in PlugShare. Can't speak to much else on that route that isn't a supercharger. Headwinds were horrific at times on this trip, slowing way down saved us a couple times as chargers are pretty scarce on the Llano Estacado (our destination was central TX). ABRP and PlugShare should give you all the information you need.