Embracing the Future: A Family Road Trip in a Tesla Model 3 with our Six-Month-Old Baby
Tesla Referral Code: https://ts.la/travisjames997396
Just last month, my family and I embarked on our first-ever road trip with our six-month-old infant in our Tesla Model 3. Traveling from our home in Niagara, Ontario to visit friends in Wichita, Kansas, this journey was a special one for several reasons. Not only was this our first road trip as a family of three, but it was also our first long journey with an Electric Vehicle (EV). As we discovered, our Tesla Model 3 proved to be an incredibly efficient and convenient travel companion. Far more convenient than our old Lincoln MKZ, as much as we do miss that car.
Additionally, thanks to the lack of a traditional engine, fuel tank, and spare tire, we had access to an additional “frunk” and sub-trunk for storing our many items! Coming from Canada to visit our many close friends in the US, we of course had to bring lots of Canadian goodies! This meant that the car filled up quickly! We were also bringing down lots of baby items for our six-month-old as well as a number of baby gifts for one of our friends who was set to (and did) give birth while we were visiting.
Almost there! It was super convenient having our stops pre-planned AND having Autopilot made the nearly 2000km drive MUCH easier!
As EV owners, we had the unique advantage of having our road trip stops pre-planned. The Tesla navigation system plotted the course, incorporating Supercharger locations along the route where we could recharge the battery. This proved to be incredibly convenient. No more guessing when or where to stop; our Tesla had it all figured out. On top of that, there was no inconvenience having to pay at the pump or run inside to pre-pay for your gas (something that is rather uncommon in Canada).
At each Supercharger station, we found a host of amenities waiting for us. Shopping centres, restaurants, and washrooms were often within walking distance. As our Tesla silently juiced up, we could grab a bite, change our little one's diaper, and stretch our legs, making each stop into a combined mini-break from the long hours on the road. By the time we finished, our car was ready to hit the road again. In fact, more often, the car had finished charging well before we were finished doing our things. So the time to charge wasn’t an issue. For those of you who are wondering, charging was generally about 20-30 minutes at each stop.
But the convenience didn't stop at the charging stations. Thanks to Tesla's ever-growing network of destination chargers, we found AirBnbs in both Lexington, Kentucky and College Hill in Wichita equipped with EV chargers. Not only did this make for easy overnight charging, but it also allowed us the freedom to explore the cities without worrying about finding a charging station. Plus, it felt good to support environmentally conscious accommodation options. We’ll leave a link to the AirBnb’s we stayed at below:
Lexington, Kentucky Stop: https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/28300660?source_impression_id=p3_1687267046_U1b9Bu6oDXl6V0KQ
Wichita, Kansas - Home for two weeks: https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/626294665700365206?source_impression_id=p3_1687267055_pLE55ZSp5Uzl8YFu
The total for the round trip when adding all our stops ON <-> KS comes to CAD$341.21
ON>KS (KY Detour) - CAD$175.29
KS>ON - CAD$165.92
Interestingly, this road trip also dispelled some of our concerns about the cost of charging an EV. Despite Supercharging being pricier than charging at home, the overall cost was significantly lower than what we would have spent on gas for a comparable journey. The reduced cost was yet another testament to the advantages of driving an electric vehicle. And for those of you wondering what it cost per charge, it was roughly US$8 to US$15 for us to charge. Coming to about CAD$10-$20 per stop (most fell within the lower end).
The convenience of EV travel went beyond mere economics or logistics. The peace and quiet offered by our Tesla Model 3 was a blessing, especially with a sleeping infant in the back. The smooth acceleration and lack of engine noise made for a tranquil drive, and the autopilot feature provided an added layer of safety and convenience, which, as new parents, we greatly appreciated. We actually used Autopilot for nearly 90% of the drive, it was much less stressful to act as a supervisor for the car than to be constantly adjusting the speed and steering. Instead, our car simply followed the one ahead and kept us within the lanes. It would even steer along winding roads!
All in all, this trip proved to us that the future of family road trips is electric. Our Tesla Model 3 not only got us to our destination but also made the journey there a pleasure. It brought together efficiency, convenience, cost savings, and environmental consciousness, proving that with an EV, you don't have to compromise on anything. The trip from Niagara to Wichita with our six-month-old was memorable for all the right reasons. It reassured us that as a family, we can embrace technology, enjoy the comforts of modern amenities, and contribute to a sustainable future all while creating precious memories. Looking back, we wouldn't have wanted to embark on this journey any other way.
Our total distance travelled leaving and returning to our driveway in Ontario.
Tesla Referral Code: https://ts.la/travisjames997396
If this has convinced you to look into going the Tesla route, please consider using my referral link to save $1000 off of a Model S or X. You can also get Loot Box credits with the purchase of a Model 3 or Y (These can be traded in for things like free supercharging miles AND if you save up, you can purchase things like Enhanced Autopilot!) – Of course, I also get something out of it too 😉
We've reached the end of our family road trip tale, but this doesn't have to be the end of the conversation! We would love to hear about your experiences and thoughts.
What are your thoughts on our experience? Is there anything else you’d like to know? Let us know in the comments!
Have you ever taken a long-distance road trip in an electric vehicle? If so, how was your experience?
Parents out there, how do you manage road trips with infants? Do you have any tips or hacks to share?
Based on our experience, do you believe that the future of family road trips is electric? Why or why not?
We are excited to read your responses and look forward to learning from your experiences as well. Please leave your comments below!
