Lessons learned from my trip to Horseshoe Casino in Tunica. Goals were to test the northern route, Horseshoe stay, and return (big screw-up.) The northern route did 100% SOC at Athens and drove to Savannah TN where there are two, free L2 chargers. TN Valley Electric Coop has a single, 208 VAC, 30 A charger similar to Bridgestreet. The second location, Tennessee River Museum no longer has a J1772 EVSE but there was a NEMA 14-50 plug. But there was one car with a flat tire and a secretary car next to it but the Tesla portable reached the third spot and the 240 VAC 32 A was well appreciated. The map route to Memphis North Germantown Parkway Supercharger tried to route to longer but higher speed roads. So I used the direct, route 64, a nice road, mostly divided. The 250 kW Supercharger had Chinese restaurants in walking distance and faster charge than wanted to reach Horseshoe. Horseshoe Casino had two, Tesla distribution chargers on the first floor about 50 yards from the hotel entrance. Plugged in, I checked in and got the lowest rate shown on their web page. Best of all, a $5 semi-automated craps table. A standard sized table, there was a plastic cover over an LCD display and a single, stickman who manages the dice and enters the numbers thrown. Each player has a dedicated betting console which means no over crowding, computer calculated odds to the penny, no dirty chips to handle, and after a learning curve, exact betting as desired. Cutting the craps table staff from four to one saves labor allowing a $5 table. Yes, I paid a modest casino 'tax' but they gave me breakfast along with the full charge. With a free, 100% SOC, I foolishly drove directly to Corinth MS only to realize I needed more SOC when I arrived. The reliable Commerce Bank L2 worked but it took over an hour to get enough to reach Tupelo Supercharger. From Tupelo, I prefer driving Natchez Chase to 72 and home. LESSONS LEARNED Use the Tupelo Supercharger to reach and return from Tunica. Horseshoe has two distribution chargers so no competition for busy or broken J1772. Arrive with minimum charge at Horseshoe, check-in, and enjoy your game of choice. Recent charge history including trip:
Additional details: The $74 is a total cost over the previous 31 days, not a trip cost. Here are the trip Supercharger sessions: Athens - $1.50 for 5.0 kWh, top off charge Memphis - $9.00 for 28.5 kWh, enroute to Horseshoe Tupelo - $10.75 for 29.5 kWh, return to Huntsville Total trip Supercharging cost: $21.25 The $74.00 - $21.25 = $52.75 is the cost to drive for 29 days around Huntsville charging at home. This was also an experiment: $21.50 - estimated cost if using just Tupelo, southern route, each way. The cost between the northern and southern route is about the same but Tupelo would be faster. Mapping out Savannah TN, northern route, gives an another alternate should weather make middle or southern route unusable. Savannah provides two, L2 charging spots versus just one at Corinth MS. Bob Wilson
Your journey had me hooked, especially the $5 semi-automated craps table—what a deal! Your detailed route breakdown is gold for fellow road-trippers. I can practically feel the charge anxiety in Corinth, but hey, lesson learned, right? And those Tesla distribution chargers at Horseshoe are a game-changer, pun intended. In addition, it is important for me to be able to play Malaysia Online Casino while traveling. I'm planning my own road trip soon, so your tips are a lifesaver. Thanks a ton for sharing your escapade and wisdom.
Need to share an update: Goldstrike has three, free, J1772 chargers, 3d level of parking garage, East wall. HorseShoe has two, free Tesla distribution chargers, ground floor, North wall. Just move the parking cones. Byhaila Post office, 41 mi East of Tunica - free for first hour, 60 kW ChargePoint CCS-1 next to a J1772, double-header, charger. Across the street, a sandwich shop normal business hours. Tuscumbia downtown, 125 mi further East - two, 60 kW ChargePoint CCS-1 near a sandwich and coffee shop on corner of block open to 2-3 PM. Charges accumulate in 15 minute intervals so disconnect in 14 or 29 minutes after starting. Bob Wilson
Your pit stops along the way were well-documented, and I appreciate the heads-up about the charging options at Tennessee River Museum and Commerce Bank in Corinth MS. But let's talk about the real highlight: Horseshoe Casino. Those Tesla distribution chargers right by the hotel entrance? Sounds like a dream come true for EV owners. And hey, there's no shame in needing a little extra juice before hitting the road again. It happens to the best of us!
At Tunica: GoldStrike has three on the '3d level' of the parking garage. At least two Tesla plug chargers. Horseshoe has two Tesla plug chargers just to the right of the parking garage entrance. Normally, there are 'cones' to block ICE drivers parking there. Just move a cone, park, and charge. Bob Wilson
Thanks for sharing your lessons learned, especially the tip about using the Tupelo Supercharger for future trips to Tunica. I've been exploring some options lately and came across this site called nettcasino.com. They offer some pretty sweet deals, including casino bonuses that might interest you.
Thanks but I prefer physical casinos: free rooms free EV charging free beverages free food free play chips or credits friendly gamblers and 'eye candy' ladies So when I'm next in Norway, I'll visit their casino. Bob Wilson
Sad to say, that table was gone when I last visited. Now all they have are the 'popcorn' machines. Bob Wilson
Very interesting, I'm glad you still had enough money for the trip back home after visiting the casino
Your journey to Horseshoe Casino sounds like a real adventure. I've had my fair share of road trips, and charging stations can be a hassle to find sometimes. It's awesome that you discovered reliable spots along the route.
Bob I have a trip 650 Mile round trip coming up Friday. I think I'll be able to do the total trip for with just one paid charging ..$10 Mothers day road trip going to go from St Cloud Mn to Waterloo Iowa 300 miles and comeback after dinner. (I usually spend the night at Hotel with free charging and dont need to spend any money on charging using EA )
Good thing you encountered so many charging stations along the way. My Tesla once died in the middle of nowhere in Texas. It was a nightmare.
I got stuck 1/2 mile from the SuperChargers. Tow truck dropped off, rolled the car to the SuperCharger and the rest was easy. My mistake was I had gone to pay a bill instead of taking 10 minutes for a charge on the way. I was at my lower limit, 10 miles about 6 miles from the SuperChargers when I parked but did not realize the car continued to try and cool the battery. When I got back in, the range showed 7 miles. Worse, instead of going to a J1772 charger 1/2 mile from the parking garage, I tried for the SuperCharger. Lessons's learned. Tuition in the school of hard knocks. Bob Wilson
