Trip Report: San Francisco to North Lake Tahoe

[Flying ace]

I drove this route again this weekend. For Bay Area folks, I recommend consider charging at the new Loomis CA Costco EA station with 14 stalls. Charged 25%-99% (68 kws in 47 mins), with 25%-80% in 15 mins. (Did not get a photo, but it's a beautiful sight with 14 lined up with wide stalls.)

This time, we stopped in Truckee for groceries and I charged again for 36 kws in 17 mins (60%-85%). I charged next to a Macan EV that did not precondition and I observed that my car was easily 20-30 kws faster at the same SoC. Charging here allows me to drive back home without having to charge.

I also tested with driving without regen, and it was definitely more efficient, especially with no traffic . I prefer having regen in the city but without regen on the highway.

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[Flying ace]

Stopped by the same Costco EA charger at Loomis on the way down the mountain. Charged 45.5 kws in 37 mins (52%-100%). The occupants needed a bio break and food, so it was a perfect stop. I didn't intend to charge it to 100%, but we ended up staying 45 minutes for a meal.

Here is the chargers lined up. What a site!

These units are co-branded with EA and Costco, and also across the street there's a 6 stall EA at the Target, all of which leads me to believe there will be a charging discount for warehouse members soon.

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[EVFan]

99% charge at start, drove from Aberystwyth to London non-stop, and arrived home with 2%. 1.5 hours small country roads, 1 hour London traffic, rest on motorways.

 

[Flying ace]

Prior to Xmas 2025, I drove this route again.

This time, I installed my 20 inch Turbo Aero wheels with Blizzaks LM005 snow tires. (Non EV type)

On the way up, I charged again at EA Costco Loomis, which now requires payment (plug and charge still works).

Average consumption up the mountain was 2.4 mi/kwh, surprisingly higher than the 2.2 from last year on 21 inch all-seasons!

On the way down, I averaged 2.7 mi/kwh, and was driving through a raging snowstorm on I-80 with about 0.5 to 1.5 ft of snow on the ground. The tires are amazing and I absolutely do not regret paying up for proper snow tires.

 

[sacman]

The fact that you only need to recharge once between Bay Area and Tahoe is impressive considering the terrain, traffic and weather condition.

 

[gnr3312]

These types of write ups are better than the guy who stopped 25 times on his Tesla going from California to South Carolina. I mentioned that trip to my wife and she said “he stopped 25 times to charge? Why???” That type of report is what still makes people have range anxiety and not move into EVs.

 

[CDT]

Prior to Xmas 2025, I drove this route again.

This time, I installed my 20 inch Turbo Sport Aero wheels with Blizzaks LM005 snow tires. (Non EV type)

On the way up, I charged again at EA Costco Loomis, which now requires payment (plug and charge still works).

Average consumption up the mountain was 2.4 mi/kwh, surprisingly higher than the 2.2 from last year on 21 inch all-seasons!

On the way down, I averaged 2.7 mi/kwh, and was driving through a raging snowstorm on I-80 with about 0.5 to 1.5 ft of snow on the ground. The tires are amazing and I absolutely do not regret paying up for proper snow tires.

My 2025 is almost identical to yours and I’ll be going to Tahoe a couple of times in the next two weeks. Your post has me super excited.
The chargers at Costco are a game changer for driving to Tahoe. Getting access to Tesla chargers doesn’t hurt either.

 

[Flying ace]

My 2025 is almost identical to yours and I’ll be going to Tahoe a couple of times in the next two weeks. Your post has me super excited.
The chargers at Costco are a game changer for driving to Tahoe. Getting access to Tesla chargers doesn’t hurt either.

I'm curious whether your 2025 can make it up on 1 charge.


There are a few options depending on whether you have destination charging and whether it's just to charge or to eat.

On the way in the foothills:
1. Loomis - Costco or Target EA (more food at the Target side)
2. Auburn - Motel 6 EA (Taco Bell)
3. Colfax - Three Pines Bistro Chargepoint ( 62 kw)
4. Cisco Grove - Lucky's travel plaza Chargepoint (62kw), Tesla

In North Tahoe:
1. Truckee Save Mart EA (dining and groceries)
2. Truckee Donner Pass Rivian (200 kw)
3. Truckee Tesla

 

[Zcd1]

These types of write ups are better than the guy who stopped 25 times on his Tesla going from California to South Carolina. I mentioned that trip to my wife and she said “he stopped 25 times to charge? Why???” That type of report is what still makes people have range anxiety and not move into EVs.

25 stops seems a bit high, but not necessarily unrealistic depending on the specific Tesla.

ABRP suggests 18 stops for my Tesla between Venice, CA and Hilton Head SC.

Realistically this would be a 3-day trip for most people, so even in an ICEV you’d probably be looking at at least 6-8 stops…

 

[ejcintr]

I'm curious whether your 2025 can make it up on 1 charge.


There are a few options depending on whether you have destination charging and whether it's just to charge or to eat.

On the way in the foothills:
1. Loomis - Costco or Target EA (more food at the Target side)
2. Auburn - Motel 6 EA (Taco Bell)
3. Colfax - Three Pines Bistro Chargepoint ( 62 kw)
4. Cisco Grove - Lucky's travel plaza Chargepoint (62kw), Tesla

In North Tahoe:
1. Truckee Save Mart EA (dining and groceries)
2. Truckee Donner Pass Rivian (200 kw)
3. Truckee Tesla

there is a 200w charger at northstar as well

 

[CDT]

I'm curious whether your 2025 can make it up on 1 charge.


There are a few options depending on whether you have destination charging and whether it's just to charge or to eat.

On the way in the foothills:
1. Loomis - Costco or Target EA (more food at the Target side)
2. Auburn - Motel 6 EA (Taco Bell)
3. Colfax - Three Pines Bistro Chargepoint ( 62 kw)
4. Cisco Grove - Lucky's travel plaza Chargepoint (62kw), Tesla

In North Tahoe:
1. Truckee Save Mart EA (dining and groceries)
2. Truckee Donner Pass Rivian (200 kw)
3. Truckee Tesla

I always charge in Loomis out of habit. Prior to Tesla and Rivian access the only charging was at the Savemart.
If I charged to 100% and the weather was good I think could make it from where I live in Sonoma County.

 

[Flying ace]

I just noticed, based on my experience here that a 20 inch wheel with narrower snow tires is a larger positive impact to efficiency than a 21 inch wider all-season tire.

I had thought that the tire type will have a larger impact than tire type.

21 inch all-seasons : 1.8 mi/kwh climb
20 inch snows: 2.2 mi/kwh climb

On all the trips, I use an exterior ski rack and the car is fully packed, and tire pressure is set to the "full load" setting in accordance to manual.

 

[Flying ace]

I’m thinking of getting a set of wheels with winter tires on them. I might just go for the 19” wheels with a winter tire. I think that would probably give the best range.
But like you, I’ve been holding off because it hasn’t snowed and doesn’t look like it’s going to anytime soon.

I'm actually open to renting out my winter wheels/tires, if you're interested

 

[CDT]

I'm actually open to renting out my winter wheels/tires, if you're interested

Thanks for the offer. I have winter tires on my CT.

 

[refazi]

I'm actually open to renting out my winter wheels/tires, if you're interested

Do you also have a quickjack for an easy swap?

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