Los Angeles Metro Area Leafers

[Luft]

Has anyone gone between LA and Phoenix in their LEAF? Can it be done?

If so where do you charge along the way?

Thanks.

 

[thankyouOB]

PORT of LA has just announced plans to put in four public chargers in their parking lot in San Pedro a block from the Maritime Museum and the USS Iowa.

 

[Valdemar]

Has anyone gone between LA and Phoenix in their LEAF? Can it be done?

If so where do you charge along the way?

Thanks.

Watch out for battery capacity thieves while in Phx, many on this forum reported theirs was missing. Sorry, can't help with the actual question.

 

[RonDawg]

Per my PlugShare app, I show absolutely no public L2 or CHAdeMO chargers in the 233 miles of I-10 between Indio, CA and Avondale, AZ.

Unless you want to stop at several motels and campgrounds along the way, and possibly spending up to 20 hours at any that only have 120 v available (if you can plug in at all), the only way your Leaf will be able to do this trip is while it is being towed or carried by another vehicle that has that sort of range.

 

[cwerdna]

If there are RV parks w/208+ volt service and one has a proper EVSE and adapters, one could charge a bit more quickly there.

Tony used some RV parks during his BC2BC trip (http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=198034" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false but it obviously wasn't out in that direction.

 

[tbleakne]

This would be a real challenge. With the shutdown of the DCQC at the San Bernardino 7-11 last year, there is no useful L3 until you reach Phoenix, so you would need several days of travel at best to make the 370+ miles. I believe there is a hotel in Palm Springs that offers L2 charging. Check Plugshare.

Beyond Palm Springs, you would need to rely on 50A (240V) service at RV parks and charge overnight. Chris1howell recently drove from the LA area to Grand Canyon and back, staying in KOA campgrounds with both 50A service and cabins for rent, but he was driving his new Tesla Model-S with 85 kWh battery. I don't see much KOA on I-10 to Phoenix. There are many other RV parks with 50A service, but I am not sure which ones might have cabins to rent.

Tony William was willing to sleep in his car/tent and drive around the clock.

I use an iPad/iPhone App called Allstays Camp & RV. You can set a filter to display only RV locations with 50A 240V hookups.

 

[Valdemar]

There is a major construction underway near Burbank Airport. Apparently they will install a large solar panel array there. Anyone aware of any plans to install charging equipment at this new location?

 

[Luft]

I'll be coming through LA via Ventura during the EV Rally this summer. Its about a 68 mile trip to the charger at 662 Mateo Street. Has anyone gone from Ventura to LA? What route would you recommend?

I've never driven in LA before so I'm not sure what to expect. Go slow and face road rage?

 

[Valdemar]

I'll be coming through LA via Ventura during the EV Rally this summer. Its about a 68 mile trip to the charger at 662 Mateo Street. Has anyone gone from Ventura to LA? What route would you recommend?

I've never driven in LA before so I'm not sure what to expect. Go slow and face road rage?

I never tried this but if we are talking 101 here there a quite long and steep climb out of Camarillo, followed by a descent into Newbury Park, I'd be concerned about it. The good news is that there are several L2 locations along 101 on the way to downtown LA. Also, Universal City Nissan promised to install a QC charger soon, as of a couple weeks ago their ETA was 60 days. I'd also check with Team Nissan in Oxnard, last time I spoke with them they told me they were getting a new charger, but the salesman I spoke with wasn't sure what kind.

 

[Luft]

I'll be coming through LA via Ventura during the EV Rally this summer. Its about a 68 mile trip to the charger at 662 Mateo Street. Has anyone gone from Ventura to LA? What route would you recommend?

I've never driven in LA before so I'm not sure what to expect. Go slow and face road rage?

I never tried this but if we are talking 101 here there a quite long and steep climb out of Camarillo, followed by a descent into Newbury Park, I'd be concerned about it. The good news is that there are several L2 locations along 101 on the way to downtown LA. Also, Universal City Nissan promised to install a QC charger soon, as of a couple weeks ago their ETA was 60 days. I'd also check with Team Nissan in Oxnard, last time I spoke with them they told me they were getting a new charger, but the salesman I spoke with wasn't sure what kind.

Thanks, I'll keep altitude changes in mind. I was thinking of going along HWY 1 on the coast. When I hit Malibu I can decide if I need a bump at the Malibu County Mart.

Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?

 

[Valdemar]

Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?

It is safe, in a sense you typically don't get shot. But people behind you will get annoyed fairly fast and will use various techniques to alert you about that

 

[KeiJidosha]

I'll be coming through LA via Ventura during the EV Rally this summer. Its about a 68 mile trip to the charger at 662 Mateo Street. Has anyone gone from Ventura to LA? What route would you recommend?

I've never driven in LA before so I'm not sure what to expect. Go slow and face road rage?

I never tried this but if we are talking 101 here there a quite long and steep climb out of Camarillo, followed by a descent into Newbury Park, I'd be concerned about it. The good news is that there are several L2 locations along 101 on the way to downtown LA. Also, Universal City Nissan promised to install a QC charger soon, as of a couple weeks ago their ETA was 60 days. I'd also check with Team Nissan in Oxnard, last time I spoke with them they told me they were getting a new charger, but the salesman I spoke with wasn't sure what kind.

If you’re taking the 101 from Ventura to LA, you have several charging options on the way, and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center is planning to have QC, maybe in next 60 days. Other option if you want to sightsee and dawdle is take Las Poses Road south from Camarillo to PCH at Mugu Rock. Then PCH to the I10 east in Santa Monica. Charging at Malibu Library, or Santa Monica Pier if needed. Flatter, cooler, more scenic.

 

[KeiJidosha]

...Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?...

During rush hour(s), you'll be lucky to hit 10 mph.

 

[Luft]

...Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?...

During rush hour(s), you'll be lucky to hit 10 mph.

That sounds fine to me! I renewed my subscription to the traffic alerts for my NAV system. Not to avoid traffic jams but rather to find and use them! :lol:

 

[Luft]

...Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?...

During rush hour(s), you'll be lucky to hit 10 mph.

That sounds fine to me! I renewed my subscription to the traffic alerts for my NAV system. Not to avoid traffic jams but rather to find and use them! :lol:

 

[RonDawg]

Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?

On freeways and multi-lane roads, it is fine as long as you stay in the far right lane. Semi-trucks and any vehicle towing a trailer is limited to 55 even if the posted limit is 70, so at 55-60 you will have plenty of company. On a posted 55 freeway I do NOT recommend going 45 however.

On two-lane roads though, be prepared for tailgaters and to frequently pull into turnouts and onto the shoulder to let them pass.

 

[thehelix112]

I'm also from LA, Mar Vista area. Hi all.

Dave

 

[hill]

Is it safe to drive 10 miles below the speed limit in the LA area?t

Just tuck in behind many of the tractor trailer rigs that are monitored to assure they drive no more than 55 mph miles per hour. It's especially the case with alpha beta or Ralphs grocery truck/trailers. now the whining crybaby behind you can't possibly complain that you are driving too slow in the slow lane because you're just following the guy in front of you ... and he's driving the truckers' speed limit.

 

[TonyWilliams]

Has anyone gone between LA and Phoenix in their LEAF? Can it be done?

If so where do you charge along the way?

Thanks.

When you get to LA this July 7, there will be tons of charging. I'm sure I can hook you up with a freebie at the ChargePoint DC charger in San Juan Capistrano, and from there you should easily make it to the 8 freeway in San Diego.

The last DC charger is a Blink at San Diego State University, then it's 53 miles uphill to Acorn Casino eastbound on the 8 freeway. You should find something enroute for a bit more boost, but I recommend just slowwwwww and steady up the hill. It's a 4000+ foot climb, and if you plan a nice Indian casino meal at Acorn, I'm sure you can find something to plug into there. You should be able to make it the additional 58 miles all downhill to the Nissan dealer in Imperial, CA.

After that, it's a short 65 mile hop to Yuma, AZ from Imperial, CA. There are several charging stations and RV parks in Yuma. Enjoy the 120 degree heat.

The most difficult leg is 116 miles to Gila Bend, AZ, but then it only 75 miles to Phoenix. There are several RV parks in Wellton, AZ, between Yuma and Gila Bend.

Alternate Route:

An alternate route from the San Juan Capistrano DC charger in south Orange County is on to Escondido Blink DC station, then Santa Ysabel DC Blink (3000 feet elevation), and down into the desert to Imperial via Julian to Imperial.

It's 91 miles of mostly downhill to Imperial from Santa. Ysabel, via Julian. From Imperial, follow the route below:

Yuma, AZ
Wellton, AZ
Gila Bend, AZ
Phoenix, AZ

 

[TomT]

Not that they ever do. Go 55 in the right lane and you'll very soon have a semi on your bumper around here...

Semi-trucks and any vehicle towing a trailer is limited to 55 even if the posted limit is 70, so at 55-60 you will have plenty of company.