10 ms·

If you think having to take a 30 minute break after 2 hours of driving ISN'T a big deal then you are way out of touch.

by pixie_ 13y ago

SwellJoe 13y ago
I drive long distances very frequently (I live in a motorhome, spent most of four years travelling full-time, and currently now travel about 3-4 months out of the year). I recommend this kind of pace, regardless of whether you need to fill up or not. It makes for a happier journey, and a more fulfilling one. But, then again, gas stations aren't exactly where I want to stop for 30 minutes every two hours. My 30 minute stops are rest areas, local or state parks, interesting restaurants, lakes, monuments, etc. It's rare that I want to spend 30 minutes at a gas station. So, while I think stopping for 30 minutes every 2 hours isn't a big deal, and I don't think I'm way out of touch. But, since I wouldn't get to determine where I stop for 30 minutes ever 2 hours in the current Tesla scenario, it is a big deal. Presumably, and allegedly, this 30 minute problem will soon fade. I'm impressed that a cross-country trip will be possible this year. That's amazing progress; I'm blown away by Musk's vision and ability to deliver it.
jlgreco 13y ago
I've driven straight across the country (2700 miles per trip) several times in the past 5 years, and stopping 30 minutes every few hours is not a big deal. Unless you are into amphetamines or falling asleep at the wheel, it is the only way to do it for any extended amount of time.
- waterlesscloud 13y ago
  "Unless you are into amphetamines or falling asleep at the wheel, it is the only way to do it for any extended amount of time." This is simply not a true statement. It may be your personal preference, but it is not at all universal.
  - rdl 13y ago
    I can do SF to Vegas without stopping (except for fuel, and in a diesel truck with extra tanks, without stopping). My preference is generally top stop and have a meal at Harris Ranch, too (which, conveniently, is where the supercharger is), or at In-N-Out in Bakersfield, but that's about it. SF to Seattle is the really hard one. SF to Portland is something I can do (without starting absurdly early, or maybe even after a full day of doing other stuff), but going all the way to Seattle is hard, and stopping in Portland seems silly (since it's only 3h more to Seattle). Unfortunately, everything between Redding/Weed and Portland seems to be Methland.
    - markvdb 13y ago
      Safely driving over 1300km (edit: SF to Seattle) without stopping is impossible. http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/ http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/ Please adjust your driving behavior.
      - rdl 13y ago
        It's 636 miles to Portland. I've averaged in the 70mph range on that trip, since there are stretches of I-5 where much higher speeds are fairly safe (and the speed limit is 75 on a lot of it). 9h of concentration isn't that unreasonable, since you do need to stop for gas once (in Oregon, usually, which means it's slow). San Jose to Vegas is 523 miles, and doing that in 6-7 hours is quite feasible (although it's entirely possible for it to take 12-14 hours with traffic on I-5 and I-15 if things go wrong)
        Retric 13y ago
        1300 km is 800 miles or 11.5 hours at 70mph + one fill up. I don't see most people being able to do that without zoning out.
        devrelm 13y ago
        It's not that bad. I take weekend trips between NYC and [1 hour west of Chicago] multiple times a year. At around 870 miles, it's about a 13-14 hour drive with pit-stops. I usually split the trip into 2 days from NYC to Illinois, but only because I typically leave right after work, and I certainly wouldn't want to drive overnight. The trip back is usually done in one day, ~10am to ~midnight. This usually includes 2-3 stops for gas and food. I wouldn't mind these stops being half an hour instead of their usual ~15 minutes, but it would mean that I would have to leave an hour earlier, or get home an hour later. since I'd have 50-100 miles less range per "fill-up" with the top-of-the-line Model S, I'd probably have to make an extra stop as well. Ultimately, I look forward to none of this discussion mattering in 10 years, at which time I fully expect 400+ mile range in self-driving EV cars that charge in 10 minutes. ***fingers-crossed***

If you think having to take a 30 minute break after 2 hours of driving ISN'T a big deal then you are way out of touch.

by pixie_ 13y ago

If you think having to take a 30 minute break after 2 hours of driving ISN'T a big deal then you are way out of touch.

I drive long distances very frequently (I live in a motorhome, spent most of four years travelling full-time, and currently now travel about 3-4 months out of the year). I recommend this kind of pace, regardless of whether you need to fill up or not. It makes for a happier journey, and a more fulfilling one. But, then again, gas stations aren't exactly where I want to stop for 30 minutes every two hours. My 30 minute stops are rest areas, local or state parks, interesting restaurants, lakes, monuments, etc. It's rare that I want to spend 30 minutes at a gas station. So, while I think stopping for 30 minutes every 2 hours isn't a big deal, and I don't think I'm way out of touch. But, since I wouldn't get to determine where I stop for 30 minutes ever 2 hours in the current Tesla scenario, it is a big deal. Presumably, and allegedly, this 30 minute problem will soon fade. I'm impressed that a cross-country trip will be possible this year. That's amazing progress; I'm blown away by Musk's vision and ability to deliver it.

jlgreco 13y ago

I've driven straight across the country (2700 miles per trip) several times in the past 5 years, and stopping 30 minutes every few hours is not a big deal. Unless you are into amphetamines or falling asleep at the wheel, it is the only way to do it for any extended amount of time.

waterlesscloud 13y ago
"Unless you are into amphetamines or falling asleep at the wheel, it is the only way to do it for any extended amount of time." This is simply not a true statement. It may be your personal preference, but it is not at all universal.
- rdl 13y ago
  I can do SF to Vegas without stopping (except for fuel, and in a diesel truck with extra tanks, without stopping). My preference is generally top stop and have a meal at Harris Ranch, too (which, conveniently, is where the supercharger is), or at In-N-Out in Bakersfield, but that's about it. SF to Seattle is the really hard one. SF to Portland is something I can do (without starting absurdly early, or maybe even after a full day of doing other stuff), but going all the way to Seattle is hard, and stopping in Portland seems silly (since it's only 3h more to Seattle). Unfortunately, everything between Redding/Weed and Portland seems to be Methland.
  - markvdb 13y ago
    Safely driving over 1300km (edit: SF to Seattle) without stopping is impossible. http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/ http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/ Please adjust your driving behavior.
    - rdl 13y ago
      It's 636 miles to Portland. I've averaged in the 70mph range on that trip, since there are stretches of I-5 where much higher speeds are fairly safe (and the speed limit is 75 on a lot of it). 9h of concentration isn't that unreasonable, since you do need to stop for gas once (in Oregon, usually, which means it's slow). San Jose to Vegas is 523 miles, and doing that in 6-7 hours is quite feasible (although it's entirely possible for it to take 12-14 hours with traffic on I-5 and I-15 if things go wrong)
      - Retric 13y ago
        1300 km is 800 miles or 11.5 hours at 70mph + one fill up. I don't see most people being able to do that without zoning out.
        devrelm 13y ago
        It's not that bad. I take weekend trips between NYC and [1 hour west of Chicago] multiple times a year. At around 870 miles, it's about a 13-14 hour drive with pit-stops. I usually split the trip into 2 days from NYC to Illinois, but only because I typically leave right after work, and I certainly wouldn't want to drive overnight. The trip back is usually done in one day, ~10am to ~midnight. This usually includes 2-3 stops for gas and food. I wouldn't mind these stops being half an hour instead of their usual ~15 minutes, but it would mean that I would have to leave an hour earlier, or get home an hour later. since I'd have 50-100 miles less range per "fill-up" with the top-of-the-line Model S, I'd probably have to make an extra stop as well. Ultimately, I look forward to none of this discussion mattering in 10 years, at which time I fully expect 400+ mile range in self-driving EV cars that charge in 10 minutes. ***fingers-crossed***