can you drive your tesla from austin to cloudcroft?

 

The short answer is "Yes!" I've been able to make it with no problems with a Model 3 and, more recently, a Model Y, both Long Range versions. Driving Teslas along major highways is not a problem anywhere, but that run from the last supercharger to Cloudcroft is a nailbiter for a newbie.

On my first trip to Cloudcroft some four years ago, the in-car router sent me straight to Cloudcroft via Austin to Junction, Junction to Fort Stockton, Fort Stockton to Pecos, and Pecos to Cloudcroft. The first time we made that last run from Pecos to Cloudcroft was a nailbiter since the car said we'd arrive with about 20 miles left in the "tank." Did the range estimator account for the increasing slope and decreasing temperature? It appears it did since we showed up with about 30 miles left.

These days, the on-board computer sends you to El Paso and then up through Alamogordo. This is less risky since it is 108 miles instead of 213 miles, but it adds an hour (or more) to your trip. I say "risky," but we've never run out of juice and have arrived with at least 30 miles in the tank. However, you have to fully charge the battery in Pecos (that's an hour of charging) to get up the hill with some reserve in the tank. Because Tesla won't send you directly to Cloudcroft, you have to force it by saying your going to Pecos and then say your going to Artesia and then say your going to Cloudcroft. The car will incessantly warn you (my new Model Y is MUCH more of a naggard than the 3). I advise driving the speed limit, although I've done it +5 the whole way with no problem.

There are several free level 2 chargers in Artesia now back behind the McDonalds, so if you want to stop for a cheeseburger (get it with no wet stuff and add green chile) and shake to add a few more miles, you can do that.

We have a level 2 charger at the cabin that is plug and play (you will need your J-plug adapter). There are also two free chargers in town in front of the electric coop building. Before our charger was working, I'd park there overnight to get a charge and then walk to my accommodations in town.

Coming down the mountain is a breeze. If you head down to Alamogordo, the steeper side of the sawtooth, you'll arrive at the bottom with five percent more charge than at the top. On the Artesia side, you'll get halfway to Artesia with the same charge you started with at the top of the mountain. One drive I drove from Cloudcroft to Lubbock with no superchargers inbetween. The on-board is irritating on the return to Pecos, complaining that I would not be able to make it to the next charger when, in fact, I arrived in Pecos with 30% left. However, I took a side trip to see the Gnome Project marker, and all those ranch roads in Google confused the pathmaker.

At some point, Tesla needs to put superchargers in Artesia (or maybe Carlsbad) and Roswell. That with smother the range anxiety that Tesla has about a trip that the car can easily make.

Map of existing, proposed, and under-construction Tesla superchargers. 

UPDATE: The Allsup's in Artesia at 1600 North 1st Street has a Level 3 charger by Francis Energy with CHAdeMO and CCS/SAE connectors (so Teslas will need adapters). Download and set up the app before using the site. Expensive, but Level 3.

UPDATE: Electrify America is fixin' to open a Level 3 charger in Roswell in 2024. 

UPDATE: Took my Model Y to Cloudcroft over Thanksgiving, and, give the weather and increased weight (don't tell my wife...), we had to charge for two hours at the Mac-n-Don's for two hours to get safely up the hill. First time I had to charge at the Level 2 for so long. Will be ready for the Francis on the next trip. 








 

 

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