Driving Cybertruck from Michigan to Montana - 4,500 miles in 9 days, camping & Overlanding
Ever wonder what it’s like to take a Tesla Cybertruck on an epic road trip? Well, let me tell you! Recently, we embarked on an unforgettable journey, starting from Grand Rapids, Michigan, all the way to Glacier National Park, Montana. Along the way, we experienced the rugged beauty of the Upper Peninsula, the endless plains of North Dakota, and the jaw-dropping views of Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road—all while testing the limits of our Cybertruck.
Here’s a breakdown of the highlights from this wild adventure.
Our driving route from September 2024.
Prepping Cybertruck for the Journey
We didn’t do much to prepare Cybertruck for the journey. I double checked the lug nut torque. That’s about it.
Our Cybertruck also had the Cybertent installed, which we used to camp for several days on this trip.
The Incredible Mars Adventure Co Roof Rack!
A huge shoutout goes to @marsagco for outfitting our Cybertruck with a roof rack and tire mount. With this roof rack, we were able to carry traction boards and a full-sized spare tire on the truck. Having a full-size spare on the roof came in handy, plus it just looked awesome!
The Frunk Chuck Box
I also built a camping chuck box in the frunk of my Cybertruck for all of my camp kitchen supplies. It really turned out nicely! The grill sits on top, and all of my plates, utensils, and spices live neatly inside.
I was impressed, to say the least.
Day 1: From Grand Rapids to Charlevoix, Michigan
Our journey began in Grand Rapids, Michigan. First stop? Charlevoix, where I had the pleasure of filming a wedding before hitting the road again. The first leg was a warm-up before we really got into the thick of it. We planned to cannonball across the Upper Peninsula the next day—a stretch of Michigan that is both remote and breathtaking.
Day 2: Mackinac Bridge & The Upper Peninsula
Early on Day 2, we crossed the iconic Mackinac Bridge and zoomed across US-2 through the Upper Peninsula. By this point, we had already covered almost 400 miles—without even leaving the State of Michigan! Between the chilly 40-degree weather and a slight headwind, the Cybertruck’s efficiency took a hit, but the stunning Northern Michigan scenery more than made up for it.
We even had a close encounter with a fox running across the road with a rabbit in its mouth. Yep, Northern Michigan, folks!
After a long day of driving (17.5 hours, no autopilot!), we finally made it to a destination charger in Bismarck, North Dakota. Not much excitement this day, but we hit the sack with a destination charger, ready to cannonball across Montana the next day.
Supercharging in Escanaba, Michigan with a Fox.
Day 3: Arriving in Montana
Montana’s 80mph speed limits made for some fun driving moments! Cruising through eastern Montana, we stopped in Billings to recharge and realized on how much more energy the Cybertruck burns compared to Tesla’s smaller Model Y. While most supercharges for the Model Y cost around $10-15, charging the Cybertruck typically set us back $30 or more, though we had much longer range than a Model Y.
The roof rack itself didn’t seem to affect range, but the tire mounted on top of it did. We ended up throwing the tire into the bed with the tonneau cover open, which effectively increased our range by 10%. Over 2,000 miles, that makes a BIG difference.
At the end of day 4, we ended in Missoula, Montana for the night.
Day 4: Exploring Kalispell & Glacier National Park
After several days of long-distance driving, we finally made it to Kalispell, Montana. This small, but bustling town is the gateway to one of the most scenic destinations in the United States—Glacier National Park. Kalispell’s proximity to the park made it the perfect base for our adventures, and after a much-needed coffee stop in nearby Bigfork, we set our sights on the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Glacier National Park is every bit as awe-inspiring as people say. Our drive up to the Going-to-the-Sun Road was nothing short of magical. This narrow mountain road winds its way through some of the park’s most dramatic landscapes, climbing 3,200 feet over just 16 miles.
The views were unreal—towering mountains, lush valleys, and countless waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs. The road was packed with visitors, many of them international tourists who were absolutely captivated by the Cybertruck. We were stopped dozens of times by curious onlookers asking about the truck, snapping photos, and wanting to know if this beast could really handle the climb (spoiler alert: it could).
Day 5: Second Time on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park was so incredible, we had to experience Going-to-the-Sun Road a second time. This time, we focused on more hiking and exploring areas we had missed on our first go-round.
We tried parking at Logan’s Pass early in the morning, which was unsuccessful. We got lucky with a parking spot about a mile down the road, so we hiked up to the visitor center before embarking on a couple bigger hikes.
Our primary hike was to Hidden Lake Overlook, which starts at the Visitor Center, climbs up and over the nearby peaks, and then dips into a glacier-fed lake in a valley. It was spectacular. There is not a single thing in Glacier National Park that is NOT spectacular.
Next we hiked part of the High Line. We didn’t get very far because of some rain moving in, but it was scenic nonetheless.
We also hiked to deadwood falls in the eastern side of the park. This was a mile or two down into a canyon with a small river rushing through with some waterfalls. No regrets.
Charging Challenges in Kalispell
Now, about charging: one of our big concerns going into the trip was whether we’d be able to reliably charge the Cybertruck in more remote locations, including in/near Glacier National Park and Kalispell.
Two primary issues popped up:
Our campsite only had 30 amp, 120 volt TT-30 outlets. That means we only could collect ~20% overnight. Since a drive into town used 20%, this was a losing battle.
Cybertruck is not compatible with CCS. There are plenty of CCS chargers in the Kalispell area, but they weren’t compatible.
Miraculously, Tesla’s Charging team managed to open the Kalispell Supercharger (which had been under development for several years, mind you). The week we were in town!
This was a SHOCK to my wife and I.
I watched Tesla try to open a Supercharger in Kalispell for years— and then the exact week we were in town they got it opened. It was truly a miracle.
That solved all our problems, and from then on, we had enough power to take on all the hiking and off-roading we wanted.
Day 6: Conquering Desert Mountain with the Cybertruck
One of the most memorable moments of our trip was driving up Desert Mountain. While it wasn’t a traditional vacation experience, tackling the rugged terrain in the Cybertruck made it feel like an adventure all its own. The narrow, winding trail up the mountain was shrouded in thick fog, creating an almost mystical atmosphere as we ascended. Visibility was low, and the landscape seemed to disappear into the clouds around us.
Desert Mountain’s path was a mix of rough, rocky sections and smoother stretches that allowed the Cybertruck to show off its off-road capabilities. The truck handled the climb effortlessly, navigating steep inclines and loose terrain with ease. Despite the fog obscuring the mountain views, the drive was peaceful and surreal, giving us a feeling of complete isolation in the mist-covered wilderness.
By the time we reached the top, the summit was engulfed in thick clouds, making it impossible to see the panoramic views we had hoped for. But instead of feeling disappointed, it added a unique charm to the experience. Driving through the clouds on Desert Mountain in the Cybertruck was like exploring an entirely different world—one where the landscape is hidden and only the road ahead exists.
Day 7: Driving Mt. Marston: An Intense Off-Road Ascent
If Desert Mountain was about navigating through the fog, Mt. Marston was all about pushing the Cybertruck to its limits. This mountain presented a much more intense challenge, with a trail that stretched 14 miles round-trip and climbed nearly 5,000 feet in elevation. The road was steep, rocky, and at times, incredibly narrow, making it a true test of the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities.
The ascent started out easy enough, winding through forests at the base of the mountain. But soon, the trail became significantly steeper, and we found ourselves navigating tight switchbacks and rugged terrain. The Cybertruck handled it all like a champ—climbing over boulders, gripping loose gravel, and powering through steep inclines that would have been daunting for most vehicles.
As we climbed higher, the views opened up, revealing sweeping vistas of Glacier National Park’s peaks and valleys. We stopped frequently, not just to admire the stunning scenery but also to give the truck a bit of a breather—this was an intense drive! Each pause gave us a chance to appreciate how far we had come and how much the landscape had transformed from dense forest to alpine terrain.
By the time we reached the summit of Mt. Marston, the feeling of accomplishment was unreal. The view from the top stretched for miles, with the rugged beauty of Glacier National Park laid out before us. The drive had been tough, but the Cybertruck made it possible to reach a place that would be nearly inaccessible without a vehicle designed for serious off-roading.
If you’re looking for an off-road adventure that will test both you and your vehicle, the drive up Mt. Marston is an absolute must. It’s a challenging climb, but the payoff at the summit makes every steep, rocky mile worth it.
Day 8: Heading Home—Saying Goodbye to the Mountains
Leaving Glacier National Park was tough. As we drove east along US-2, the towering peaks of the Glacier Mountains gradually disappeared in our rearview mirror. We were sad to leave, but there were still plenty of miles left on our journey. With over 850 miles ahead of us that day, we mentally prepared for long hours on the road and multiple charging stops through eastern Montana and North Dakota.
Day 9: The Final Stretch
On our final day, we were greeted by a stunning sunrise in North Dakota. The lower energy of the day (combined with the realization that we had work the next day!) made it a relaxed drive as we zoomed through Wisconsin and back into Michigan. We aimed to make it home to Grand Rapids before midnight, and after nine incredible days, we were ready to put the bookend on this epic adventure.
Final Thoughts
Another incredible journey in the books, and this time, it was my first major trip with the Tesla Cybertruck. We covered nearly 2,000 miles in just two days, and 4,500 miles total, traveling from Michigan to Montana and back. Every minute of this 9-day road trip was pure joy.
I’m blown away by how effortless and fast Tesla’s Superchargers made the journey, and the Cybertruck itself was an absolute beast. Its comfort, power, and versatility made this a truly unforgettable experience. The Cybertent, once again, kept my wife and me warm, dry, and cozy the entire week, while the roof rack from @marsagco was both functional and stylish, handling all our gear with ease.
Road trips like this are truly magical. The combination of stunning landscapes, off-road adventures, and the performance of the Cybertruck made this one for the books. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter of epic adventures with this incredible machine.
After rolling cameras all week, I can’t wait to share the footage from this journey. The breathtaking views, the wild moments on the road, and the incredible memories are all captured. And honestly, I’m already itching to do it all over again.
Some Trip Stats:
9 Days
4,482 miles driven
2,462 kWh used
$508 in Supercharging (huge thanks to my referrals for cutting that in half!)
Average efficiency: 549 Wh/mi
7 U.S. states crossed
Next up, I’ve got some shorter trips planned—New York City and Central Kansas later this year. And looking ahead to next year, I’m considering Banff & Jasper Part II and a visit to Acadia National Park in Maine.
If you’d like to support these trips, feel free to share my referral link! Each referral adds $500 toward my travel expenses, and it makes a huge difference. I’m usually camping for a reason— budget is tight!.
Where to next? ✌️