Observations after a 3,000 mile trip

My wife and I just returned from a 3,000+ mile trip from Maine to South Carolina to Tennessee and back to Maine in our 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV LT. This was the first long trip in this vehicle and the first use of ABRP.

On the positive side, I was very impressed by the routing capabilities of ABRP. It found chargers along the way that were conveniently located and spaced at reasonable distances apart. I set Tesla chargers as my favorite, and the app sent me to them most of the time. I only had two issues with the suggested sites: 1) in Bealeton, VA, the chargers were installed, but the site was still under construction and they were inoperable, thus having to find an alternative 30 miles away; 2) in Woodstock, VA, where 7 of 8 chargers were out of order, and the one functional charger was in use. It would be helpful if there was a way for ABRP to access Tesla’s network for updates on charger operability and availability.

The app was not without its issues, however. While most of the time the directions were correct, there were occasions where it sent me past the station, only to route me around the block to get back, when I could have just pulled into the station and saved that mile of redirection (ex.: Worcester, MA).

But my biggest issue was with deviating from the route for meals or pit stops. Even when we got off the highway at a rest stop, the app would seemingly lose its location and would not continue routing after getting back on the highway. I would have to go back to the planning screen and start all over again!

It was also difficult to add a stop to the route while driving. When I would select the Search button, it would say the keyboard was restricted while in motion. I understand the safety factor in this, but a voice option like Google Maps and Apple Maps would make these on-the-fly decisions much easier to work into the plans.

I found the app to not always be accurate with route numbers and exit numbers. Particularly on the Wilbur Cross Parkway (Rt. 15) in Meriden, CT, the app was directing me to East Main Street, Exit 64-A. Well, it was actually Exit 67. The signs were not new, so I don’t believe the state had recently renumbered the exits. That is confusing.

Another issue I found was that the app repeatedly showed I was either on or headed toward I-81. I was traveling on I-287 in New Jersey between I-78 and Suffern, NY, where I was going to take I-287 and I-87 to the Tappan Zee Bridge. In the direction panel (upper left of the screen) the app said I was headed toward I-81. The same thing happened when traveling on I-84 north in Connecticut, and when traveling on I-295 in Maine north of Portland (see attached photo). Fortunately I am familiar with all of these areas, but for someone who never traveled these routes it could be very confusing.

One last little observation: most of the route numbers were not centered in the sign when shown on the direction panel, especially on interstate routes. The numbers appeared to almost fall out of the bottom of the sign and were not positioned in the center. Not a functional issue, just a low-quality looking issue. Maybe I’m just too fussy.

I will be using ABRP on future trips because I think it is very useful and helpful. I’m sure that updates will continue to make the app a better tool for trip planning. Thanks for reading my rant!