Fun 700mi Road Trip: Tesla Model X

In this video, I drive hundreds of miles from sunup to sundown in my first-ever long haul EV road trip in search of the answers to questions like:
-Is an electric vehicle a reasonable car for road trips?
-How much charging will I have to do?
-How long does it take to charge?
-Do I have to drive really slow?
-Does the autopilot make a big difference?
-How often do I have to stop?
This trip was INCREDIBLE to film and I learned some unexpected things along the way. Enjoy!

[@ianjwalker3422]

This whole video was actually extremely helpful for me Thanks!

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching, and the kind words!

[@SoyYooo239]

😂😂😂😂 flickering screen in the camera lol am dead, even my lil bro knows that lol asf 😂, good video tho nice info thank u

[@kirillkalashnikov926]

Thank you Chris!

[@sabillonallan]

Great video! I am in the market to get a Model X and I like the honest review with commentary. Its impressive how planning can make a huge difference on how to travel via EV long distance charging.

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching! New or used Model X? The new version has significantly improved engineering - Tesla iterates their tech very quickly. Though, the 2018 ones are great too, as I can attest!

[@reynamendoza7840]

I like the longer charging stops just because it forces you to stop and take a break. I'll be too bored to sit so it'll motivate me to get out and move which is what is recommended for a healthier lifestyle. I already have back problems from sitting all day so this is a plus

[@remboldt]

Yeah I felt WAY more energy at the end of that road trip than I ever did after a gas car road trip. It really does help to stop and move around for a bit every couple hours

[@erolcoulson9194]

Great video

[@floridasaltlife]

Great content, I have found the experience to be the same as you !!

[@wesrobinson7366]

Just ordered my Model X LR. It will be a long wait but seeing things like this has me thinking I made the right choice. Thank You

[@remboldt]

It’s the coolest vehicle in the world right now, for any price, in my opinion

[@wesrobinson7366]

@@remboldt I agree, and looked around so much. I am set to get my order in summer of next year, that shows you how many people agree with you. My only complaint is the yoke, would much rather a steering wheel.

[@jefferygordon3060]

That’s Chris! I know him! I know him! Looks like you’re doing big things man! Congrats on all of the success 🙌

[@remboldt]

Haha thanks! LOVE YOU bro ❤️😎

[@MrDeathwish938]

I live in that area off barrett,can't wait to get my model 3 performance midnight silver.

[@remboldt]

hell yeah!

[@therelaxedtraveler2613]

Excellent video Chris. I appreciate the upload. Looking forward to getting a Model X soon. New subscriber.

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching! You going to get a new X or a used one?

[@therelaxedtraveler2613]

@@remboldt You're very welcome. Looking to get a new X, but not opposed to one that is at most two years old.

[@remboldt]

@@therelaxedtraveler2613 Nice! I believe the 2018 models built March or later are the best value - that way you get the new MCU. Mine had 12k miles and I got it over 40% depreciated. Enjoy shopping, let me know if you have questions!

[@therelaxedtraveler2613]

@@remboldt Great to know. That's good information, thank you for that. Definitely will let you know. I test drove one in 2019, and it was a great experience. Thanks again. Stay connected.

[@ojobee]

Thanks for the video. Live in Atlanta and take this route to Miami in my MX too. I have to do 67 speed just to make it to Tifton GA on my first leg. 😫 . That's 180 miles from my house. Valdosta must be newly opened.

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching! Yeah the Valdosta one looks pretty new. 180mi is a pretty long stretch for a Model X currently!

[@BubbaJumpInc]

I’ve gone to all those chargers in my Model 3 In Georgia & Lake Mary so that was cool to see! I’m in Tampa - and just got a Model X 100D - thanks for the video! I’d def stretch the charging a little bit more but it was still a good video! Makes me want to take another trip but in the MX 🙏🏽

[@remboldt]

Awesome, thanks for watching! Yeah I LOVE taking road trips with it - have taken many since then

[@BubbaJumpInc]

@@remboldt thanks for replying pal! happy driving!

[@remboldt]

@@BubbaJumpInc you too Miko! Cheers

[@blacksc400tenn]

Great video. I didn't realize you live in TN until I started watching the video. I live in Murfreesboro. I bought my first Tesla a couple weeks ago. A 2017 Tesla Model X. I have a new one ordered. That I ordered back in February. It was supposed to been here in April. Now it's supposed to be October. I didn't want to keep waiting. So I bought the 2017. I'm keeping my order for the new Model X. I still may take delivery of it. Anyway me and my family are planning our first long road trip in the Tesla. I hope my boys don't get to annoyed with all the stops.....lol

[@remboldt]

Nice purchase! I am personally MASSIVELY excited for the Cybertruck. Also - be sure to join Tesla TN, the facebook group! It's the official Tesla club locally :) Safe travels, see you at the superchargers!

[@lowestablishment887]

Excellent Video 📹👏

[@remboldt]

Thank you friend!

[@POGAuto]

Nice video man

[@remboldt]

Thank you for watching!

[@randreas69]

We don't get the Model Y before Gigafactory Berlin opens but Tesla Bjørn has crazy road trips like this, 1000 km challenges and mountain trips and a spreadsheet to grab with all the tests.

[@randreas69]

I've said Model Y and the kicker is the title says Model X. My bad, I've become used to every american who shows off their Model Y's.

[@randreas69]

My statement holds, the Giga Berlin will be sick. Mr Musk told he's envious of the paint jobs and he can't take the ruby red back home, I think he had his car wrapped to make up for it.

[@arrowlogproductions2509]

The screen flickering is the frame rate of the video not matching the frame rate of the screen refreshing

[@remboldt]

Yeah - and for some reason, right before the system had to reboot itself, the refresh hz was way different - probably not super related to the computer crashing, but still worth noting the apparently random refresh variability haha! Thank you for watching!

[@ithurielvoss2448]

The square steering wheel for tesla is perfect 👌😁 I know where can you get it at a great price

[@relaxinthesauna]

Nice video like it grt from belgium

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching!

[@matthewt.7128]

Shaking my head at 10:23...North Up!!

[@remboldt]

Hahaha! North up was needed for situational awareness of current position and destination, but path up is better for pretty much all off-highway driving and any time I’ve already been through somewhere before. For me, anyway.

[@honesty_-no9he]

The other configuration is for cars pulling trailers. They had to unhook every time before those were introduced.

[@remboldt]

Yes! Makes a lot more sense now.

[@lbentley516]

Nice video. I am on the fence about purchasing an X. I am curious if you think theres any reason not to purchase a pre-owned like 2019 or 2020 vs waiting for new 2021 "refresh"?

[@remboldt]

Unless you're willing to wait for the 4680 batteries, which I'm guessing won't be part of the build til late 2021 or sometime 2022 at the earliest - then the best value in my opinion would be a late 2018 Model X (just make sure it has the MCU2; the Tesla rep they'll assign to you can tell you)

[@lbentley516]

@@remboldt Thanks, i've just watched the rest of your videos, excellent content. I'm on their site now searching for pre-owned.

[@remboldt]

@@lbentley516 thank you for watching! I’ve got a full Model X review I’m working on now - it’s the best thing you can buy right now in my opinion. Also - check out the website teslacpo.io- I used that a lot in my search. It searches the Tesla inventory and sometimes has actual vehicle photos too. It shows price changes too! Tesla reduces the price until a vehicle sells

[@Mikkel-Hansen1987]

Hey Nice Video I have a question. What model is your Xér. 75D or ?

[@remboldt]

Thanks for watching! 2018 P100D

[@ayushsharma9036]

The screen flicker maybe because your phone camera doesn't have the frame/second setting to make it look fluid.?

[@lambo199721]

Just did a roadtrip from Miami to Orlando in a white Tesla Model X 😄

[@remboldt]

Well done!!

[@robertstephens2727]

I have a model 3 LR. When the internal nav says 23 minute charge. Do yourself a favor go to 30 minutes. Some trips i have done like this, cuts 2 to 3 charge stops.

[@remboldt]

Nice!!

[@aaronchambers2866]

Good Ole Chattanooga supercharger

[@gustavotessaro1]

Prices for charging was way cheaper, this week it cost me $28 for one charge, and $25 for the other one, I normally charge at home, but the supercharger is a bit expensive now,

[@chinaleone]

My Dream car is a Tesla but all of that charging for almost an hour everytime is going to be the death of me. My patience is like HELL NOO!! 💀

[@remboldt]

I only charged 15-25 min at a time; not bad

[@JeanPierreWhite]

@@remboldt Splash and dash is the way to go for road trips. Increases the number of stops but gets you there more quickly.

[@remboldt]

@@JeanPierreWhite Yes - I can't wait to go on another trip!! Love the rapid charge stops!

[@RossReviewsEverything]

Great video as always. Chris would love, love, LOVE to hear you share your thoughts on Tesla moving 1.5B into bitcoin. :)

[@remboldt]

Thanks! I'll add those thoughts on the end of my next video - I had Tesla upgrade the MCU infotainment computer yesterday, and have a video about that coming soon

[@RossReviewsEverything]

@@remboldt AWESOME! Can't wait to check that out.

[@yesdvt]

Try makin the same road trip with a wife and a couple of screaming kids in the back of Tesla. I can make the same distance in my Chevy Traverse with one 5 min "charging stop" at any gas station, get there faster while being more relaxed. But I have to admit that having autopilot is nice.

[@remboldt]

No bathroom or food stops for 10+ hours though...? Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@randreas69]

Like telling the kids they can't grab something in the gas station, hey listen this stop is solely for the pump. Sit.

[@JeanPierreWhite]

Nah. Autopilot means you get to your location more relaxed and less tired. Until you use autopilot you don't realize how much mental effort is necessary to drive and how tiring that can be.

[@honesty_-no9he]

Important to explain to people...MODEL X is much more energy hungry than the other TESLAs. A MODEL 3 Long Range would require fewer stops and can do higher speeds without worry. That said MODEL X is a wonderful vehicle. In terms of Watt hours per mile even the MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE can do 150 Watt hours less per mile. So if you want to go fast with great efficiency MODEL 3 is the car.

[@remboldt]

For sure - I bet the charge time in a 3 or a Y would be noticeably lower on a trip like this!

[@arismatias5364]

@@remboldt we're set to go from San Francisco to LA with our Model X P90D by the end of this month. We also have a Model 3 which we are also considering to use since the X will require us to stop 3x compare to the 2 stops on the Model 3. We take charging speed and range (295 vs 230) into consideration but we're a family of 5 with small kids so my wife prioritized the space for them. I do noticed though that the I get better efficiency on the Model X as soon as the batteries warm up so I guess we'll be fine on a long trip like this.

[@remboldt]

@@arismatias5364 have fun! I just did a 2500mi trip - first drove from Nashville TN to Austin TX for the Cyber Rodeo, and then extended the trip to Starbase near the Mexico border. Loved having the Model X for that!! What a fun trip. You all have a good and safe time out there!

[@aiyoyo53]

i love tesla

[@LearnToCompound]

I’m considering getting a 2016-2018 model x, online is says supercharging is $15 is it usually only $2-$4?

[@remboldt]

Watch my more recent video “500mi in a Tesla Model X” for a more thorough and meticulous breakdown of costs

[@pepepingu9842]

I’m looking at ordering the X Plaid model since they brought back the steering wheel by popular demand. I gotta say 7 stops for 700 miles is quite a bit. I also read that you should only charge to 80% and not run down below 20%, so now I’m worried about the range. I usually drive 405 miles between homes and thought the Tesla would be a better option due to it’s Enhanced AutoPilot. Is it also true that the AutoPilot will not work when going over 80 MPHs? Any feedback will be appreciated..

[@vladimir703]

The plaid gets a lot worse range. Tesla numbers are always WAY off. My 2023 LR is getting around 2.0-3.0 miles per % depending on cabin temp. speed, wind. I do 70 for the AC and 70-75 MPH. Advanced Autopilot works up to 85MPH. The Yoke is amazing very comfortable. I have to make a trip that is 300 miles and I have to stop once sometimes twice if I dont top to 100% before leaving, but I jump on the road the second it stops charging to save the battery. There are so many variables that go into your range its impossible to say what yours will be. The 20-80 rule I was told doesnt apply to highway driving because your burning the energy off and the battery is staying cool from the AC so going to 10% a long trip is fine.

[@pepepingu9842]

@@vladimir703 I see posted all these different charging strategies. Seems complicated if you travel much. I’ll Stick with Gas for now…

[@vladimir703]

@@pepepingu9842 this is my 3rd Tesla, I had the 3 and the Y. I no longer worry about it, I am never in that much of a hurry, you can supercharge in under 20 minutes on most stops. I charge when it needs it and just enjoy the car. Maybe you should look at the Model Y, I loved that car, and with the price reduction and the $7500 tax credit its a good deal. Unless you want the extra comforts that the X offers its not worth $100K, you can buy 2 Model Y or a 3 and Y for the same price. I only upgraded because I have a big dog, take long trips, and the extra cargo room when I drop the seats is a lot better on trips and my Y was paid off. The only real difference is the air ride suspension, yoke, doors and 1 foot longer and 7 inches wider, wider screen, amazing speakers, and a screen in the back for kids to watch netflix but its a tiny screen. That's really about it that I notice. Not really worth the extra 50K in my opinion. The Model 3 LR got really good range but since they dont have American Made batteries the LR only gets 1/2 the tax credit, but still a great deal. A lot less of a risk when getting your first Tesla. Side note- The model S is cheaper and has a lot of the same features as the X and its range was really good. I had a loaner for 8 days.

[@chadjones909]

Out of curiosity, what was the approximate cost to charge down there? I thought you mentioned a cost of a bit over $2 to charge at your first stop. You find this to be a more economical means of travel? Edit: J/k, saw the text towards the end. $40 for a drive to Daytona Beach? Hard to beat!

[@remboldt]

RIGHT!! Haha soooo cheap - also mainly just tires as far as maintenance costs. I charge the battery to 80% normally day to day to keep it healthy, so that should last 15-20 years.

[@chadjones909]

@@remboldt Keeping Li-ion batteries, assuming that's what Tesla uses, at 30-80% is crucial for extending lifespan. Why does it not surprise me that you know this? 😂

[@maxpatch67]

@@chadjones909 I know, right?? :)

[@fatalclapz]

my dad also likes wallnuts

[@aguman]

Maybe I’ll get a Model X Performance

[@johns00982]

700 mile and 6 charging stops seems inefficient for a P100D.. only 117 miles between stops.

[@remboldt]

It initially seems counterintuitive, but the battery charges really fast when it’s low. Once it’s above 50% or so the charge rate slows way down. So, 7 quick charges was way better than 3 or 4 really long ones

[@johns00982]

@@remboldt ah... thanks! I have my first 500 mile trip in my model y this weekend. Going to use your tips..

[@remboldt]

@@johns00982 enjoy!! Let us know your experience - and if you make a video be sure to share the link here

[@remboldt]

@@johns00982 also be sure to charge soon upon arriving at your destination - the range will go down a bit after you park and the battery cools off, so if you roll in with a low battery, go find a charger haha

[@randreas69]

There's a formula for this at "A better route planner" and you'll need to NAV to the charging spot. Sets up the car 15 minutes early for the charging. There's also a gadget for Scan My Tesla (adapter) in case you'd like to diagnose the car.

[@deathshock5072]

I wish there was something to do to ICE drivers that park in EV charging stations.

[@honesty_-no9he]

The majority of those ICE race cars would struggle to take on your MODEL X P100DL and that is a whale shaped SUV crossover.

[@remboldt]

Yeah, was really quite a juxtaposition.

[@Bigboypatts_87]

I LIVE IN TN

[@slcea7]

$40 for 700 mi seems super cheap, even by normal Tesla standards. Do you get some type of discount for charging? Thanks for the vid!

[@jayjaymurrell4830]

My mom purchased a used 2016.5 model x 90d with and updated ecu and free supercharging and on our trip from Seattle to Los Angeles and back was completely free

[@remboldt]

Well, I did leave home with a full charge, which doesn't show up on my supercharger bill list - and that $40 doesn't include the charging upon arrival. So, with both of those things taken into account, probably closer to $50-60 or so.

[@w1v2a3]

Is it worth wild to own a tesla in cold weather states

[@kirysykao9962]

Hey, I am looking into buying Tesla. Can you do a video where you show how many miles P100D does on one charge at 70-80 MPH? 100% to a 0%. I ask cause at least 2 a year I do a 700 miles trip to visit my family. Thank you in advance.

[@remboldt]

This video actually is a pretty great example of a 700mi road trip - if the temps are in the 50s, this is about exactly what you can expect. My advice, don't drive 80mph, it's not worth the range hit. Going 100% to 0% is pretty bad for the battery; it's best to do what I did in this video here and do more of a 70-80% down to a 15-20% charging schedule. EV batteries aren't like gas tanks - they charge much, much faster in the middle ranges of the battery percentage than they do at the ends. I have a more recent video of a 500mi drive that has better tracking of charge times in it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqLKc4SHr5urf6s. Let me know if you have more questions! THANK YOU for watching

[@kirysykao9962]

@@remboldt in EU it is easier to travel at 70-80 MPH that's why I was asking for those speeds. That's what majority of ppl does on the highways. As for the range, can you please tell me what milage can I expect with your driving style going from 80% to lets say 15%? In optimal conditions. Thank you in advance. I will check that other video.

[@cooperandpaola]

What year Model X was this?

[@remboldt]

It was manufactured in Feb 2018

[@scottemge256]

Why not charge to 100% when you stop to charge? All that stopping to charge looks like a hassle.

[@remboldt]

It seems counterintuitive, but it's because it takes FOREVER to charge from 60% or so to 100%. Better to do the fast rate of charge up to 50-60% and drive an hour or two to the next charger. Some routes don't have as many chargers though, so you have to charge to 90-100% at those, and it can take over an hour.

[@scottemge256]

@@remboldt I'll stick with my gas powered pickup truck.

[@TrinhNguyen-up3es]

I want a Tesla, and I need this kind of video. I’ll get a Tesla for the city and road trips I have my Mercedes. Still getting a Tesla but not for road trip

[@captainpike2468]

Almost no talk about features of the car, this is just a video on ‘charging ‘

[@remboldt]

I have other videos about features, Captain. Also a better video about charging posted more recently. Thank you for your input though. -Kirk

[@junhan976]

it takes about 4 hrs to recharge....i'd rather sleep zzzzzzzzz

[@remboldt]

That's for home charging - road charging is WAY faster :)

[@miguel3079]