Houston -> Austin road trip with usage numbers

[Watchesandburgers]

Took a short weekend trip from Houston to Austin in my ’22 Taycan GTS. For the return drive, I charged up to 100% / 230 miles and averaged 37.5 kWh/100mi, or 375 Wh/mi (which is how Tesla always quoted efficiency). This is slightly less efficient than my 2013 Tesla Model S, which averaged 360 Wh/mi over 11 years. Either way, car was flawless. Used InnoDrive for much of the trip. I find it helpful insofar as it reduces driver interaction, but you still have to pay attention to everything around you. I’ve never used Tesla’s Autopilot systems, so I don’t have any comparative data.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Sponsored

 

[Flying ace]

Yep, that's the efficiency I experienced on my road trip in my GTS ST.

 

[SpicewoodT]

Where did you choose to charge on your trip? I've traveled between Austin and Houston a few times in my Taycan and have charged at the EA chargers in Columbus and Katy Mills Mall.

When I stop in Columbus on my way to Houston I generally have somewhere between 35-40% charge remaining and I've stopped at Katy Mills Mall with as much as 28% and little as 12% charge remaining. Average speed of course has an impact and when Hwy 71 and I-10 are less congested my speed tends to be higher.

 

[C130]

I’m about to make the trip from Magnolia to Austin and back the same day and trying to figure out where to charge in Austin. Any suggestions, I see one EA station in Austin but think it might be a little out if the way but not a big deal? I could go up through College Station also as I charge their occasionally, daughter is at A&M.

 

[Watchesandburgers]

Where did you choose to charge on your trip? I've traveled between Austin and Houston a few times in my Taycan and have charged at the EA chargers in Columbus and Katy Mills Mall.

We stayed the night at the Renaissance Aboretum Hotel, which has a set of L2 chargers for hotel guests (4 Tesla chargers and 1 J-1772). I charged overnight and got a pretty-darn-slow 6.1 kWh / 18 miles per hour, which took me from 35 miles of range at arrival back to 100% for the drive home. My backup plan, if the charger was unavailable, was to hit up the Porsche dealership next door, which has two fast chargers. My backup-backups were the EVgo stations in Norwood Plaza or Tech Ridge Center.

@C130 Check Electrify America and/or PlugShare for possible charging locations.

 

[Hirschaj]

Hey @C130 , any special meaning behind your username? I used to design parts for that big beautiful beast of an airplane.

 

[SpicewoodT]

I’m about to make the trip from Magnolia to Austin and back the same day and trying to figure out where to charge in Austin. Any suggestions, I see one EA station in Austin but think it might be a little out if the way but not a big deal? I could go up through College Station also as I charge their occasionally, daughter is at A&M.

I'll echo Watchesandburgers regarding charging locations in Austin. I've only ever used the EA location at the Round Rock Outlet mall and have had decent charge times there but its location on the north side of Austin isn't always convenient. Charging at either the North or South Austin Porsche dealership may also be an option.

 

[C130]

Hey @C130 , any special meaning behind your username? I used to design parts for that big beautiful beast of an airplane.

I was a pilot and flew them years ago. I was trying to come up with a username quite a few years ago on a forum and they all seemed to be already used. I tried “C130” and it was available so have used it in quite a few forums since then.

 

[TxnBluDvl]

I do this drive often in a prefacelift 4CT— and with a 90-95% charge I can make it from Houston to Austin with 15% charge and about 18% from Austin to Houston. I skip the charge in between and charge at my destination.

I’d suggest DC fast charging using Austin Energy’s DC fast chargers — they are actually quite reasonable in rate. They use ChargePoint. And on the Houston side, I typically use the EA chargers at Walmart.

If for some reason I do need to charge mid-trip, the only semi-reliable charger on the route for me has been the Alleyton Rd one in Columbus. I’ve had terrible luck with wait times and charger placement at the Katy Mills EA chargers.

Hoping the Buc-ee’s DC chargers open up soon!

 

[C130]

I charged at Porsche South Austin and got there with about 43% from Magnolia. They were very nice and told me to go the receptionist and she would give me a card to go swipe the charger and that was it, super easy and convenient. Checked out the new electric Macan and some other Porsche's, they had several new Taycans.

Sponsored