By Fali Damania
There is something special about a road trip that flying can never replace.
As someone who spends most of the year touring internationally as a live sound engineer, airports have become second nature. My life usually consists of boarding passes, hotel rooms, baggage carousels and backstage entrances. Rarely do I get the opportunity to simply drive across a country, watching every mile unfold through the windshield.
This summer, I decided to do exactly that.
My destination was Deadwood, South Dakota, with the journey beginning in Thousand Oaks, California. Waiting in my driveway was my Tesla Model 3 Long Range, loaded with luggage, camera gear, snacks and plenty of excitement. The trip would take me through some of America’s most dramatic landscapes—passing through Baker, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Rawlins, Spearfish, before finally arriving in the historic town of Deadwood.
The road itself would become just as memorable as the destination.
Leaving Southern California
There is something calming about an early morning departure.
The roads around Thousand Oaks were still quiet as I eased onto the freeway, watching the California sunrise paint the hills in warm shades of orange. Within a couple of hours, the familiar suburban scenery slowly gave way to the open Mojave Desert.
The first stop was Baker, California.
Most travellers know Baker as a quick fuel stop on the way to Las Vegas, but for electric vehicle owners it has become an important charging hub. The Tesla Superchargers made the first charging stop almost effortless. Instead of standing beside a fuel pump, I grabbed a coffee, stretched my legs and let the car recharge while I enjoyed the desert morning.
One of the biggest misconceptions about electric vehicles is that charging is inconvenient. My experience has been quite the opposite. Every couple of hours, being forced to stop for twenty or thirty minutes actually makes long-distance driving more enjoyable. You eat properly, hydrate, walk around and arrive far less fatigued than if you had tried to drive for six or seven hours without a break.
The Neon Oasis
The next major stop was Las Vegas.
Although I’ve visited Las Vegas many times for concerts and conventions, arriving by road always feels different. After hundreds of miles of empty desert, the city suddenly appears on the horizon like an enormous oasis of glass, steel and flashing lights.
This wasn’t a gambling trip.
It was simply another charging stop before continuing north.
Driving silently through Las Vegas in an electric car felt strangely fitting. While the Strip buzzed with energy, my Tesla glided through traffic almost silently, a sharp contrast to the chaos surrounding it.
After another quick charge and lunch, it was time to leave the crowds behind.
Heading Toward the Mountains
As Nevada disappeared in the rear-view mirror, the landscape slowly transformed.
The endless desert began giving way to mountain ranges and open valleys. The temperature dropped, the scenery became greener, and before long I was approaching Salt Lake City.
Utah has some of the most beautiful driving roads in the United States.
Wide highways, perfectly maintained roads and spectacular mountain backdrops make every mile enjoyable. With Tesla’s Autopilot assisting during the long interstate sections, I found myself appreciating the scenery more than worrying about the constant demands of driving.
One thing I’ve learned from years of touring is that slowing down occasionally allows you to notice details that would otherwise pass unnoticed.
Road trips remind you that the journey is every bit as important as the destination.
Charging Without Thinking
Before buying my Tesla, I often wondered whether charging would become stressful on long trips.
The answer surprised me.
The navigation system planned every charging stop automatically. It even adjusted recommendations based on weather, elevation and driving style. There was never any anxiety about reaching the next charger.
After thousands of miles, I rarely think about charging anymore.
I simply drive.
When the navigation suggests a stop, I pull in, connect the cable, grab a coffee, answer emails or edit a few photos, and before long the car is ready to continue.
For someone who spends most of his career working with technology, I appreciate when technology quietly solves problems instead of creating them.
Across Wyoming
The drive through Rawlins, Wyoming was perhaps the most peaceful section of the entire trip.
There is an incredible sense of openness in Wyoming.
Miles upon miles of rolling hills stretch toward the horizon without interruption. Traffic becomes almost non-existent, and the silence inside the Tesla somehow makes the landscape feel even larger.
Driving through Wyoming reminded me why I enjoy solo travel.
No schedules.
No soundchecks.
No production meetings.
Just the road ahead.
Some of my best ideas have come while driving through places like this. Without constant notifications and distractions, your mind has room to wander. Problems suddenly find solutions. New projects begin forming almost effortlessly.
Sometimes we all need a little empty space.
Into the Black Hills
Crossing into South Dakota brought another change in scenery.
The flat plains gradually transformed into forests as I approached Spearfish.
The Black Hills are unlike anything else in the surrounding states. Dense pine forests replace open grasslands, winding roads replace straight highways, and suddenly you’re surrounded by landscapes that feel far removed from the deserts of California where the journey began.
Spearfish itself is a beautiful town that immediately felt welcoming. After days of driving through changing scenery, it served as the perfect gateway into the Black Hills.
Only a short drive remained.
Arrival in Deadwood
Eventually the signs for Deadwood appeared.
Known for its rich Wild West history, historic buildings and legendary characters such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, Deadwood has a unique atmosphere that blends history with modern tourism.
Pulling into town felt satisfying.
Not because the drive was over.
Because every mile leading there had been worthwhile.
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from watching landscapes change naturally over hundreds of miles instead of watching them disappear beneath the clouds from an airplane window.
You gain a better appreciation for the size, diversity and beauty of the country.
Why I Still Love Road Trips
As someone who spends much of the year flying around the world with concert tours, road trips have become something special.
They force you to slow down.
They encourage curiosity.
They remind you that every town has a story and every highway eventually leads somewhere unexpected.
My Tesla Model 3 made the journey incredibly comfortable. The quiet cabin, low operating costs, excellent Supercharger network and advanced driver assistance transformed what could have been a tiring drive into an enjoyable adventure.
Would I do it again?
Without hesitation.
In fact, I already find myself planning the next one.
Because sometimes the best memories aren’t made at the destination.
They’re made somewhere between a quiet charging station in Baker, the bright lights of Las Vegas, the mountains around Salt Lake City, the endless roads of Wyoming, the forests near Spearfish, and the historic streets of Deadwood.
That’s the beauty of life on tour.
Sometimes, the road itself becomes the story.
