1100-Mile Road Trip Results

[lil' dave]

I just returned from my first road trip in the Volt. We had the back loaded with suitcases and I had my 3 kids with me. The trip was 85% highway so we averaged around 75-80 mph for most of the trip. I was really impressed with the performance on the interstate and in heavy traffic. I switched over to sport mode on several occassions to duck in and out of traffic. The kids (4,9.11) were comfortable for the whole trip. The a/c worked great and the window tint helped out alot as well. I can't wait to take it on another road trip. I couldn't find any negatives as it was a blast to drive! I only went from 149 mpg lifetime to 129 so that wasn't bad. I was able to charge before we left, while eating lunch along the way, and before I left to come home. Here are the results of the trip.

1,097 Total miles
23.2 Gallons of Gas consumed
47.3 MPG including electric miles
150 EV Miles
40.8 MPG on the ICE only

I signed up for ChargePoint before leaving on my trip. I found a charger in Portage, MI to use while eating lunch. I tried it out and it worked just fine. I also stopped by the same charger on the way home. I gained around 12 miles while eating. This charger was free so it worked out well.


I then stayed in a Staybridge Suites in Midland, MI that night. I asked the manager if they had any plugs I could use. They said that if I found an outlet that would work to go ahead and use it. I found one that would reach so I had a full charge for the upcoming day.


I stayed with family the next few nights so I weas able to use their outlet to charge for driving around town and for the trip home. I went and visited the local dealer when they were closed. They had a few Volts including a 2013.

[2BeLivingGreen]

Very nice trip and report! The VOLT delivers as your report shows. I am glad you had success charging along the way too. I always ask if I stay at hotels about charging and as of yet I have never been turned down for access to a 110v plug at a hotel. If you go a little further north along Lake Michigan you can find several free L2 chargers in Holland and Muskegon areas. Here is my VOLT getting a free charge while I visited a Lake Michigan beach in Muskegon.
Volt at Pere Marquette Park Beach Muskegon.jpg

[sinnombre]

Nice post . The 40 mpg on the ICE seems to be about what I'm getting as well . My wife's 2012 Honda Civic is rated at 39 mpg highway , but in the real world it would probably only get around 33 mpg on your trip .

I kinda makes me wish I had second Volt instead of the Honda .

[caronjeff]

Hey Lil' Dave what restaraunt is that in Portage?

[mhoepfin]

Nice trip! Pretty much matches what I found on our 1300 mile trip. I think I only averaged around 37.5MPG probably because I consistently stayed around 80mph.

[lil' dave]

Hey Lil' Dave what restaraunt is that in Portage?

We used the chargers at Celebration Cinema and walked over to Branns Steakhouse. It is right by Menards. I was trying to find a charging station at a mall/near food.

[lil' dave]

Very nice trip and report! The VOLT delivers as your report shows. I am glad you had success charging along the way too. I always ask if I stay at hotels about charging and as of yet I have never been turned down for access to a 110v plug at a hotel. If you go a little further north along Lake Michigan you can find several free L2 chargers in Holland and Muskegon areas. Here is my VOLT getting a free charge while I visited a Lake Michigan beach in Muskegon.
Attachment 6465

Cool picture! Thanks for the info on the chargers. I was impressed with the amount of charging stations showing on my apps while in MI. Very EV friendly compared to IL.