Enjoy the Journey

Best Supercharger stops: San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe

About 190 miles and 3½ hours of driving on I-80 and US-50. A Tesla charges fastest when its battery is low, so the best stop is usually where you'd arrive with about 10 to 50 percent. For a car with about 300 miles of range that leaves full, that's between miles 150 and 270.

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The planner fits your exact range and starting charge, compares one-stop and two-stop plans, and ranks stops by Google rating.

Best window for charging (miles 150–270)

1. Pollock Pinesabout mile 152 · 12 stalls

Earlier stops, good for a break

You’ll still have plenty of charge here, so charging is slower. Good for a meal or a stretch.

1. Rancho Cordovaabout mile 106 · 18 stalls
2. Folsom, CA - Iron Point Rdabout mile 112 · 4 stalls
3. Folsom, CA - Prairie City Rdabout mile 113 · 12 stalls
4. Folsom, CA - Palladio Pkwyabout mile 116 · 30 stalls · 1.1 mi off the highway
5. El Dorado Hillsabout mile 119 · 12 stalls
6. Cameron Parkabout mile 125 · 12 stalls · 1.8 mi off the highway
7. Placervilleabout mile 133 · 8 stalls
8. Placerville, CA - Broadwayabout mile 136 · 12 stalls

Questions

Do I need to charge between San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe?

Often not. The drive is about 190 miles on I-80 and US-50, so a Tesla with about 300 miles of range that leaves full can usually make it. Cold weather, mountain climbs and high speeds use more range, so a short top-up is a sensible break.

Where is the best place to charge?

Charging is fastest when the battery is low, so the best stops are about 150 to 270 miles in for a car that leaves full. On this drive that window includes Pollock Pines.

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