Tesla Autonomous Driving Put to 3,000-Mile Road Test
Owners should expect frequent charging stops and manual oversight in construction zones when using driver-assist systems.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Bill Sniffin, an 80-year-old driver, recently completed a 3,000-mile road trip across the U.S. using his 2018 Tesla Model X. The journey highlights the real-world performance of autonomous driving systems and the logistics of charging electric vehicles on long-distance routes.
Why it matters
The trip underscores the practical trade-offs of electric vehicle ownership, including the necessity of frequent charging stops and the persistent need for human vigilance when using driver-assist technologies.
The driver stopped for charging roughly every 100 miles, requiring 25 minutes to reach an 80 percent charge. The battery gauge notably reached zero near Elkader, Iowa, leaving only four miles of range.
The players
Bill Sniffin
An 80-year-old motorist who conducted a 3,000-mile test of electric vehicle autonomy.
Tesla
An automaker known for its electric vehicles and proprietary self-driving software systems.
The details
The trip utilized the Tesla self-driving system for the vast majority of the distance traveled from Dallas to Wyoming. However, the system required constant driver intervention when navigating through active construction zones. The depletion incident in Iowa highlights how external factors and range management remain critical considerations for EV owners planning long-distance travel.
Timeline
The road trip and its findings were documented in October 2026.
The Home Front
This journey highlights the gap between autonomous driving capabilities and the current reliance on existing public charging infrastructure. It reflects the ongoing challenge of normalizing long-distance travel in an era where electric vehicle ownership remains tethered to charging frequency.
EV owners planning long trips should account for 25-minute charging sessions every 100 miles to maintain an 80 percent battery charge. Always prepare for manual intervention in construction zones, regardless of how often you rely on driver-assist systems.
The takeaway
Reliable EV travel requires careful route planning and an acknowledgement of the limitations of current autonomous systems. Keep a close eye on your battery gauge when traversing unfamiliar terrain to avoid depletion events like the one encountered in Iowa.
What happens next
Sniffin plans to conduct follow-up tests of his vehicle during winter conditions in Wyoming, along with future evaluations of self-parallel parking and summon features.
Further reading
For more on the current state of infrastructure, see our guide to Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MATR.
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