I Completed My First Long-Distance Trip With Commercial Charging in My Rivian R1T While Testing the Tailgate Bike Pad and Learning Valuable Road Trip Lessons

Scrolling through the "RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion" group on Facebook, I came across an interesting post by Tara Saathoff-Wells. She had just completed her first long-distance trip in her Rivian R1T while relying solely on commercial charging. At the same time, she tested the tailgate bike pad to transport her lightweight tri bike. Along the way, she learned a few valuable lessons that all R1T owners could benefit from.

"I planned my trip using both A Better Route Planner (ABRP) and the Rivian app, but it became clear that the Rivian app was the better option," Tara shared. "Not only did it ensure proper battery preconditioning for fast charging, but it also removed the guesswork when it came to reliable charging stops. I also learned that the tailgate bike pad wasn’t the best fit for my lightweight tri bike at highway speeds, it just wasn’t stable enough. Halfway through the trip, I swapped to my Kuat Transfer V2 rack, which performed much better. That said, I think the tailgate pad will work well when I transport multiple heavier mountain bikes."

Trip Planning: ABRP vs. Rivian’s Navigation App

One of the biggest takeaways from Tara’s journey was the comparison between using A Better Route Planner and Rivian’s own navigation. While ABRP is a widely respected tool among EV owners, Tara found that it fell short when it came to real-world execution.

Harvey Payne, a fellow Rivian owner, commented on Tara’s post, reinforcing this sentiment: "ABRP is for planning, it’s right in the name: A Better Route Planner, but when it comes to actually driving, I use the onboard navigation. Thanks for the tips; I don’t see a tailgate pad in my future, but what I’d really like is the updated power tonneau. More and more chargers are coming online all the time, and my 'navigator' (wife) uses Google Maps to check key details about potential charging stops, such as whether there are bathrooms nearby, what food options are available, and if the chargers are trailer-friendly or if there’s a good spot to drop the trailer nearby."

Rivian’s app, with its ability to precondition the battery for charging, proved to be an essential tool for maximizing efficiency on the road. Without preconditioning, charging sessions at fast chargers can take significantly longer than necessary. Tara’s experience confirmed what many R1T owners have realized—when it comes to executing a long road trip, Rivian’s in-car navigation is the superior choice.

The Tailgate Bike Pad: A Mixed Experience

One of the key aspects of Tara’s trip was testing the tailgate bike pad. While the pad is a simple solution for carrying bikes, Tara found it wasn’t ideal for her particular setup.

"My tri bike is super light, and the pad just didn’t hold it securely at highway speeds," she noted. "I had to switch to my hitch rack for peace of mind. But I still think the pad might work better for multiple heavier mountain bikes, so I’ll give it another try in that scenario."

Will Scheel, another Rivian owner, shared his own experience with the tailgate pad: "I’ve been pretty stoked about my tailgate pad. I don’t have lightweight bikes, but it’s great that there’s no noticeable range impact, even with four bikes on the back. In contrast, both bed rack and hitch rack options noticeably reduce range."

On the flip side, Daniel Kapsa had a different perspective: "I bought a tailgate pad just before dropping my truck off at the service center, where it remained for three months. After getting it back, I used the tailgate pad for the first time and quickly realized it wasn’t good at all. When I tried to return it, I was told it was past the 90-day return window and was met with a firm, ‘We have rules.’ I’ve used other tailgate pads on previous trucks without any issues, but this one definitely needs an additional mounting point to prevent the bikes from tipping."

The Growing EV Charging Network and Road Trip Adaptation

Tara’s trip also highlighted how Rivian owners are adapting to the expanding charging infrastructure. As more fast chargers continue to come online, planning long-distance trips in an R1T is becoming easier. However, it’s still crucial to plan ahead, particularly in rural areas where charger availability may be sparse.

For those who are new to EV road trips, stories like Tara’s are invaluable. They provide insight into real-world experiences that help new owners avoid pitfalls. For example, making sure to check charger locations ahead of time for amenities like restrooms and food options can make a trip much smoother.

Related Reading and More Rivian Road Trip Stories

A recent Rivian experience highlighted how unpredictable EVs can be, as a 2025 Rivian R1T rebooted unexpectedly while merging onto a highway. This raises concerns about software stability and how future updates will address these issues.

Another owner found out firsthand that trading a Tesla Model X for a Rivian R1T was a surprising improvement in build quality, challenging the notion that Tesla leads in overall refinement.

For those wondering about EV reliability in extreme situations, an EV breaking down on a busy highway was a revealing test of which automakers stand behind their vehicles with proper service and support.

Looking toward the future, Rivian owners are making proposals for Gen 2 R1T improvements, hoping to preserve the unique appeal of the truck without losing practicality.

Snow driving is another challenge for EVs, and one Rivian driver shared their first experience using Snow Mode in extreme conditions, providing insight into how well the system adapts to icy roads.

Finally, off-road capability continues to be a major draw for Rivian, and a recent viral video showed an R1T pulling a stuck Cybertruck out of the sand, demonstrating the impressive torque and traction Rivian trucks offer in real-world scenarios.

Final Thoughts and a Question for Readers

Tara’s journey sheds light on the evolving nature of EV road trips and the importance of being adaptable. Whether it’s choosing the right navigation tool, finding the best way to transport bikes, or optimizing charging stops, every Rivian owner is learning and sharing their experiences.

Now, we’d love to hear from you! Have you taken your Rivian on a long road trip? What lessons did you learn along the way?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.