Save 50-70% on Road Trip Fuel Costs
Tesla road trips are significantly cheaper than gas car trips. We analyzed real road trips across different distances and routes to show you exactly how much you'll save. The results might surprise you—even with Supercharger fees, Tesla wins by a wide margin.
Quick Comparison: 1,000-Mile Road Trip
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Gas Car (30 MPG)
Tesla Savings: $55-$105 (47-63% cheaper)
Real Road Trip Examples
Let's compare actual road trips to see the real cost and time differences.
Example 1: Los Angeles to San Francisco (380 miles)
Tesla Model 3 LR
- • 2 Supercharger stops (47 minutes total)
- • 106 kWh used
- • Cost: $17-$23
- • Total time: 6h 47min
Honda Accord (32 MPG)
- • 1 gas stop (10 minutes)
- • 11.9 gallons used
- • Cost: $42-$54
- • Total time: 6h 10min
Tesla saves $19-$37 (45-69% cheaper)
Example 2: New York to Miami (1,280 miles)
Tesla Model Y LR
- • 6 Supercharger stops (2h 30min total)
- • 358 kWh used
- • Cost: $57-$79
- • Total time: 21h 30min
Toyota RAV4 (28 MPG)
- • 3 gas stops (30 minutes total)
- • 45.7 gallons used
- • Cost: $160-$206
- • Total time: 19h 30min
Tesla saves $81-$149 (51-65% cheaper)
Example 3: Chicago to Denver (1,000 miles)
Tesla Model S LR
- • 4 Supercharger stops (1h 50min total)
- • 300 kWh used
- • Cost: $48-$66
- • Total time: 16h 50min
Ford F-150 (22 MPG)
- • 3 gas stops (30 minutes total)
- • 45.5 gallons used
- • Cost: $159-$205
- • Total time: 15h 30min
Tesla saves $93-$157 (59-71% cheaper)
Time Comparison: Is Tesla Really Slower?
Yes, Tesla road trips take 10-15% longer due to charging stops. But the practical difference is smaller than you think.
Time Breakdown for 1,000-Mile Trip:
- • 15h driving
- • 30min gas stops (3 stops × 10min)
- • 15h driving
- • 2h charging stops (4 stops × 30min)
Reality Check: Most people need bathroom breaks, meals, and rest stops anyway. The charging time often overlaps with breaks you'd take regardless. The practical time difference is closer to 30-60 minutes for most trips.
Cost Factors That Affect Savings
Gas Prices
Higher gas prices increase Tesla savings. At $5/gallon, a 1,000-mile trip costs $227 in gas vs $45-62 for Tesla—a $165-182 savings (73-80% cheaper).
Supercharger Rates
Supercharger rates vary by location ($0.16-$0.60/kWh). Most stations are $0.16-$0.25/kWh. Even at the high end, Tesla is still cheaper than gas.
Vehicle Efficiency
Comparing a Tesla to a gas-guzzling SUV (18 MPG) shows even bigger savings. A 1,000-mile trip would cost $194-250 in gas vs $45-62 for Tesla.
Home Charging Before/After
If you can charge at home before departure and after arrival, you'll use less Supercharging and save even more. Home charging costs $0.10-$0.15/kWh vs $0.16-$0.25/kWh at Superchargers.
Beyond Fuel: Total Cost of Ownership
Road trip savings are just part of the story. Tesla's total cost advantage includes:
- •No oil changes: Save $500-$1,000 per year
- •Less brake maintenance: Regenerative braking reduces brake wear by 50-70%
- •Fewer moving parts: Lower long-term maintenance costs
- •Daily charging savings: Home charging costs 50-70% less than gas for daily driving
When Gas Might Be Faster
Very Short Trips (Under 200 Miles)
No charging needed, so gas is slightly faster. However, Tesla is still significantly cheaper even on short trips.
Remote Areas with Sparse Superchargers
May require longer detours or slower charging. Always check the Supercharger map before planning remote routes.
Extreme Cold Weather
Range loss means more frequent stops, adding 20-30% more time. Precondition your battery and plan for extra charging stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
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