Close Encounters of the Traveling Kind

A Quiet Upgrade: Renting a Tesla Model Y on a Dayton Work Trip

2026-01-12

There are rental cars that simply get you where you’re going — and then there are rentals that quietly change how the trip feels.

This was the latter.

I picked up a Tesla Model Y in Dayton for what amounted to a very typical business itinerary: airport to hotel, hotel to meetings, meetings back to the airport. About 50–60 miles total, mostly highway, with a dusting of winter still clinging to the roads. On paper, it didn’t need to be anything special.

But the Model Y made even this short, utilitarian trip feel… calmer.

First Impressions: Fewer Buttons, More Breathing Room

If you’ve never driven a Model 3 or Model Y before, the first thing you notice when you sit down is what isn’t there.

No traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. No dense forest of buttons. No familiar dashboard choreography of dials and toggles. Even the gear selector lives up on the steering column — something I hadn’t seen in a couple decades.

At first, it can feel disorienting. You instinctively glance down for a speedometer that isn’t there, then remember to look to the upper-left corner of the center screen instead.

But once that adjustment settles in, the absence of clutter becomes the point.

Nearly everything is managed through the center display: mirrors, steering wheel position, Bluetooth connections, climate behavior, even how firm the steering wheel feels in your hands. There are far more options than you’ll ever explore on a one- or two-day rental, but the menus are remarkably intuitive. It only takes a couple minutes to get the essentials dialed in.

After a handful of Tesla drives, I’ve come to appreciate how that lack of buttons and gauges contributes to the overall experience. The cabin feels minimalist and intentional — and that visual quiet amplifies the physical quiet in a way that’s hard to explain until you’ve lived with it.

On the Road: Silence, Weight, and Effortless Motion

The most immediate and enduring impression of driving the Model Y is just how quiet it is.

No engine noise. No vibration through the pedals or steering wheel. Even with the window down, the dominant sounds are the tires on pavement and the passing traffic around you. After long days of travel and meetings, that silence creates space to begin unwinding before you ever reach the hotel.

Acceleration is where the difference between electric and gas vehicles becomes unmistakable. Even modest throttle input produces immediate, confident movement. It’s fun, yes — but far more useful when merging into traffic or navigating indecisive drivers. You’re never waiting for the car to respond.

Winter conditions only reinforced that sense of confidence. With recent snow and road salt muting lane markings, the Model Y felt planted and predictable. The battery’s low placement gives the car a very low center of gravity, and it shows. Highway driving felt steady rather than floaty, even when visual cues were inconsistent.

One-Pedal Driving: The Feature You Didn’t Know You’d Miss

One of the most distinctive aspects of driving a Tesla is regenerative braking — and how much you choose to lean into it.

With regen turned all the way up, the car slows noticeably the moment you lift your foot off the accelerator. The first few turns can feel like being a new driver again, braking a bit harder than intended. But within minutes, something clicks.

You stop thinking about the brake pedal altogether.

By the end of the trip, I realized I’d barely touched it. Outside of shifting out of park and coming to a full stop at lights or in parking lots, the accelerator handled nearly everything. Stop-and-go traffic felt calmer, more deliberate, and oddly satisfying.

It’s one of those features that doesn’t sound revolutionary — until you go back to a car that doesn’t have it.

Technology That Actually Helps

Tesla’s large center display proved more useful than flashy. Navigation was clear and legible at a glance, and the routing matched Google Maps exactly — including alternate routes and arrival times.

The side-view camera feeds activating with the turn signal subtly changed how I drove. Lane changes felt more confident, especially in low-contrast winter conditions. It didn’t replace mirrors; it complemented them. After a day, that extra layer of confirmation felt normal — and something I’d miss in other rentals.

Adaptive cruise control handled highway stretches smoothly, maintaining distance without abrupt braking. I didn’t rely on full Autopilot, but for longer segments it reduced mental load without demanding constant attention.

Storage: More Than You Expect

The Model Y quietly excels at cargo flexibility.

The main trunk easily handled multiple full-size suitcases, and beneath it sat a cooler-sized underfloor compartment — perfect for duffel bags or loose gear. Then there’s the frunk: not enormous, but surprisingly useful for backpacks, briefcases, or anything you want separated from the main cargo area.

For a vehicle that feels clean and minimal inside, it’s impressively accommodating.

Charging & Practicalities

I didn’t need to recharge during my time in Dayton, but I did confirm charger availability just in case. Avis mentioned that their Teslas are tied directly to their accounts — pull up to a Supercharger, plug in, and go. No apps, no cards, no friction. Even with the rental surcharge, it still works out cheaper per mile than most gas cars.

One quick note worth repeating: always check the included charging cables. This Model Y came with a Jeep charger cable — incompatible, but irrelevant given my mileage needs.

Who This Car Is For

The Model Y works exceptionally well as a business travel vehicle. It’s quiet, composed, and mentally restorative after long days. It also scales easily to family travel, with ample legroom, generous storage, heated seats throughout, and a sound system that’s genuinely enjoyable.

It doesn’t feel like a novelty. It feels like a refined tool.

Roamwell’s Note

This rental quietly reinforced something I’ve been leaning toward for a while:

If I don’t expect to refuel while I’m in town, I may never choose a gas car again for business travel.

A quiet cabin doesn’t just move you across town — it helps you arrive in a better state of mind.

The smoothness, silence, and ease of driving turned what’s usually a purely functional part of the trip into something restorative.

— Roamwell

If you’re curious how renting an EV compares to gas cars more generally, I’ve written more about that here → To EV or Not to EV: The Realities of Renting Electric Vehicles
Field-Tested: The Pocket-Friendly Charger that Saved my Flight

2025-12-27
I didn’t set out to find a new travel charger. Instead, I found myself in need of one.

I was in an airport with a phone down to its last ions, doing the familiar scan for a place to charge. Every public USB port I tried had already lost the fight — broken tongues, half-sheared plugs permanently lodged inside, the quiet graveyard of good intentions and bad cable pulls.

The only charger I had with me was a large wall unit I usually unpack once I reach my destination — plenty of ports, enough power for everything, and absolutely no interest in fitting under an airplane seat or between gate chairs.

After a few laps through various electronics shops, I resigned myself to powering the phone off for the rest of the layover and the next four-hour flight. No podcasts. No quiet distraction. Just seatback cards and my thoughts.

Then I noticed one last hallway kiosk — barely more than a wall of hanging gadgets and a register — and saw something familiar.

Why This One Stuck

I’d already been using Nimble’s Apollo wireless chargers at home, scattered quietly around the house because they simply work without needing attention. Seeing their products in that kiosk felt like a small stroke of luck.

That’s where I found the Wally Ultra.

Unlike most single-device wall chargers — which tend to be blocky, square, and awkward to pack — this one was strikingly flat. About half an inch thick. A little taller and wider, yes, but slim enough to disappear into places most chargers fight against.

I bought it, plugged in, and immediately got my phone back into the safe zone.

It hasn’t left my bag since.

Where It’s Been Since

The Wally Ultra now lives in my travel pack full-time.

It’s been with me through:
- Airports with limited seating and worse outlets
- Overnight business trips
- Coffee shops, hotel rooms, and borrowed wall sockets
It’s the charger I reach for when I don’t want to think about charging at all — which, in travel terms, is most of the time.

What It Does Well (and What It Doesn’t)

What it does well is exactly what I needed that day — and what I keep needing since.
- Slim, low-profile design that fits comfortably in pockets, jackets, and narrow backpack slots
- Solid construction that feels durable without being bulky
- 30W of power delivered cleanly to a single device
- Bottom-mounted plug that keeps it stable in crowded or awkward outlets
What it doesn’t try to be:
- A multi-device hub
- A conversation piece
- A replacement for a full desk setup
It’s unapologetically focused — and better for it.

Why I Still Pack It

At some point, I stopped thinking about whether to bring this charger.

That’s the real test.

It’s flat enough to pack anywhere, powerful enough to be useful, and simple enough that there’s nothing to fiddle with when you’re already tired, late, or juggling a boarding pass and a coffee.

It solved a very specific problem once — and then kept quietly solving it over and over again.

Who This Is Actually For

This charger is for travelers who:
- Carry one primary device they need reliably charged
- Value slim, packable gear over all-in-one solutions
- Want something that works the same way every time
If you need to charge multiple devices at once, you’ll want a different tool.

If you want a low-profile, dependable charger that disappears into your bag until the moment you need it — this one earns its keep.

Roamwell’s Note

Travel rarely goes sideways all at once. It’s usually undone by small failures at inconvenient moments.

Anything that quietly prevents one of those moments — and keeps doing so trip after trip — earns a permanent place in my pack.

— Roamwell

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To EV or Not to EV: The Realities of Renting Electric Vehicles

2025-12-21
Electric vehicles tend to provoke strong opinions.

Some people swear by them. Others swear at them. Most of the conversation revolves around what EVs represent — environmentally, politically, culturally.

In practice, though, renting and driving an EV on a trip is far less ideological than people expect. Day to day, the differences between an electric vehicle and a gas-powered one usually come down to comfort, convenience, and how much mental space they demand from you while you’re already juggling travel logistics.

That gap between perception and reality is where most of the confusion lives.

How I Came to This View

I didn’t arrive at this opinion all at once.

Over the past few years, I’ve been handed a mix of electric rentals — Hyundais, a Mercedes or two, and, more often than not, Teslas. Most of those trips were short business overnights where charging never entered the equation at all.

Only once did I rent an EV for a longer drive that required stopping to recharge along the way. That experience mattered — not because it was dramatic, but because it was unremarkable in the best possible way.

That’s when EVs stopped feeling like a novelty and started feeling like just another way to get from place to place.

Quiet Changes Everything

The first time I drove an electric vehicle, it was a calm spring day.

I opened the door, rolled down the window to let some heat escape, and “started” the car. Nothing happened. No sound. No vibration. I checked again to make sure it was actually on.

It was.

Pulling out of the garage, the only noise I heard was the faint squeak of tires on painted concrete. For the first few seconds it felt strange — then it felt serene.

At highway speeds, you still hear road noise. Tires still hum. But the absence of engine vibration changes the cognitive load of driving in a subtle way. You’re more likely to hear other cars than your own. After a long day of travel or meetings, that quiet creates space to decompress before you even reach the hotel.

It’s a small shift, but it adds up.

Acceleration Isn’t About Speed

The most obvious difference between EVs and gas cars is acceleration.

Electric motors deliver torque immediately, which means even entry-level EVs tend to accelerate faster than most cars on the road. The novelty of beating sports cars off the line wears off quickly — but the practical benefit doesn’t.

Acceleration becomes a safety margin.

Merging onto highways is easier. Passing indecisive drivers is quicker. If someone decides to make a poor choice at exactly the wrong moment, you suddenly have more options than you would in a sluggish rental sedan.

It’s not about driving fast. It’s about driving decisively.

Charging Is a Different Kind of Stop

Refueling an EV doesn’t look like refueling a gas car — and that difference throws people off.

There’s no standing in the cold gripping a pump, wondering when gas stations collectively decided the auto-hold latch was a liability. You plug in, and then you move on with your life.

In practice, that usually means:
- Using the restroom
- Grabbing a coffee
- Stretching your legs
- Checking email
- Or just sitting quietly for a few minutes
On fast chargers, especially Tesla Superchargers, the car is often ready to go by the time you are. It may not be at 100%, but it doesn’t need to be. You’re back on the road with enough range to keep moving.

Whether that feels like a hassle or a relief depends largely on how you already travel.

What’s Worth Knowing Before You Rent One

Not all EV rentals are created equal, and a little advance awareness goes a long way.

Here are the things I now check — quietly, without making a production of it.

Charging Networks

Some rental companies have agreements with charging networks. In certain cases, you simply plug in and walk away — the charge gets added to your rental bill automatically. No apps, no credit cards, no new accounts.

It’s worth asking at the counter.

Ports & Adapters

EVs are in an awkward adolescence right now.

Most newer vehicles are moving toward the NACS standard (Tesla’s connector), while others still use J1772 or CCS. Many cars include adapters, but not all rental agencies keep them matched correctly.

A quick glance in the trunk before you leave can save confusion later.

Hotel Charging

Hotel chargers aren’t required — but they’re a quiet luxury. Waking up to a full battery without thinking about it is one of those conveniences you don’t miss until you’ve had it.

Misconceptions I Hear Often

Range Anxiety

Unless you’re planning long, rural drives far from major highways, range anxiety tends to be louder in theory than in practice.

Charging infrastructure isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough for most common travel patterns — especially if you stick to vehicles with access to robust fast-charging networks.

Endless Charging Stops

Charging doesn’t usually mean waiting 45 minutes doing nothing. More often, it means the car is ready before you are, and will have 200+ miles’ worth of power to get you down the road.

It won’t be full, but it will have enough for a good three or four hours behind the wheel. For me, that’s plenty enough that I’m ready for a stop anyway — for bladder, tailbone, or both.

Poor Handling

Those heavy batteries sit low in the chassis, which gives EVs a surprisingly low center of gravity. The result is solid grip, stable handling, and a car that’s very hard to unsettle unless conditions are extreme.

Making the Decision Easier

I’ve learned to keep this simple.
- If you don’t expect to drive more than 100 miles and the battery is reasonably charged when you pick it up, renting an EV can be a low-effort way to try one without committing.
- If you’re planning a longer road trip, vehicles with access to reliable fast-charging networks — particularly Teslas — offer the most seamless experience.
- If you love the smell of gasoline and the rumble of an engine, there’s no moral failing in renting the Corvette instead. Just don’t be surprised if the quiet little EV beats you off the line.
Roamwell’s Note

Travel already asks a lot of your attention. When a rental car quietly asks for less — less noise, less vibration, less fuss — it changes how you arrive, not just where.

And sometimes, that’s reason enough to try something different.

— Roamwell
Godfrey’s Bakery & Café – A Cozy Evening in Falls Church

2025-08-09

One of my favorite travel tips has nothing to do with loyalty points, booking hacks, or elite status. It’s simple: ask a local where to eat.

That’s exactly how I found myself at Godfrey’s Bakery & Café on a recent overnight in Falls Church, VA. I was wandering down the sidewalk when a friendly local recommended, with genuine enthusiasm, “You have to try Godfrey’s.” She was right.

The moment I stepped inside, the space wrapped me in a mix of warm light, industrial ceilings, and the unmistakable scent of freshly baked bread. Godfrey’s isn’t just a bakery — it’s part café, part cocktail bar, and part temptation from the dessert case.

Dinner was ribeye sliders with sautéed mushrooms, aged yellow cheddar, and horseradish sauce. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and balanced — not a condiment in sight, and none needed. I paired them with The Missionary, a bourbon cocktail with raspberry liqueur and a hint of orange bitters. Refreshing, a little playful, and exactly what I wanted after a day of travel.

But dessert? That’s where things got dangerous. The Bombe Vanille cake was decadent without being overly sweet — silky vanilla cream wrapped in a delicate sponge, the kind of dessert that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate it.

The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, though I’ll admit it was a bit louder than I’d prefer for conversation. Then again, I was dining solo, so the energy was more of a pleasant hum than a distraction.

Whether you’re staying nearby or just passing through, Godfrey’s is worth the stop. You’ll leave with a full stomach, a happy palate, and probably a mental list of desserts you’ll “need” to try next time.

This little spot turned out to be the perfect ending to my overnight in Falls Church. If you’re planning to stay nearby, I can also vouch for the Hilton Garden Inn Falls Church as a clean, welcoming, and well-situated base for your visit.

— Roamwell
The Value of Loyalty (and How to Ask for an Upgrade)

2025-08-09
Sometimes, loyalty really does pay off. On a recent overnight trip to Falls Church, Virginia, I was booked into the Hilton Garden Inn by my company — nothing fancy, just a Two Queen room for a quick stay before heading to the next stop.

But here’s the thing: when you’ve logged enough miles, you learn to always ask the question. At check-in, I smiled, passed over my ID and credit card, and asked the front desk, “Are there any upgrades available tonight?”

The clerk gave me a grin and said, “Let’s see what we can do.” Then came the magic words: “Thank you for being a Diamond member.” After confirming I didn’t actually need two beds for this trip, he offered me an Executive King — more space to stretch out, a desk for the day job, and a cozy little blogging nook by the couch. Exactly what I needed.

The hotel itself? Inviting, clean, and fresh. Not ostentatious, but comfortable. There’s a small but well-equipped gym (two treadmills, two ellipticals, and free weights), a compact indoor pool for lounging, and even a hot tub — which I sadly didn’t have time to enjoy. Parking was easy in the garage out back, complete with a pair of free Tesla Destination Chargers for guests.

Location-wise, the hotel is tucked into a nice little pocket of Falls Church — a mix of residential streets, small businesses, and restaurants, with essentials like a Patient First urgent care right around the corner.

Roamwell’s Tip:
- Always sign up for the loyalty program before you stay — even if you think it’s a one-off.
- If you have status, ask about upgrades (nicely).
- If you don’t have status yet, ask anyway. The worst they can say is “no,” but you might be surprised how often they’ll say “yes.”
In this case, one friendly question turned a standard work trip into a much more comfortable night’s stay. And that’s the value of loyalty.

Travel Tip: This visit was part of a short stay in Falls Church. If you’re here overnight, I highly recommend heading to Godfrey’s Bakery & Café for dinner and dessert. Trust me — you’ll want to save room for the Bombe Vanille cake.

— Roamwell
Small Town, Big Flavor: Where to Refuel in Blacksburg

2025-07-28

There’s something oddly comforting about rolling into a small town in summer and realizing you have it (almost) to yourself. No crowds. No waitlists. Just enough locals to remind you this isn’t a ghost town—just one that breathes a little easier when the semester’s out.

I was in Blacksburg for a few nights—technically work, but let’s be honest, travel days are as much about survival as they are productivity. First order of business: food. Second order of business: more food. Third: a good bed and a shower that doesn’t require a degree in engineering to operate.

Let’s start with the Hampton Inn in Christiansburg/Blacksburg. Either freshly built or freshly overhauled, it had that crisp, no-dust-yet vibe. My room was clean, modern, and generously sized—the kind of place where you don’t immediately shuffle furniture just to lay your suitcase down. The gym? Legit. Full set of weights, Smith machine, cardio gear, plyo blocks… enough to make you almost regret skipping leg day. Almost.

Oh, and shoutout to the J1772 chargers in the lot. They were always in use—good sign they’re functional, though I didn’t get a chance to plug in myself. Breakfast was classic Hampton: hot sausage, eggs, pancakes, and the eternal glory of a stocked Apple Jacks dispenser. Michelin-starred it was not. Satisfying? You bet.

Now, to the eats.

Night one, we hit The Cellar on Main Street. Solid beer list, chill ambiance, and one dish that stole the show: the Cajun Shrimp Dip. That alone was worth the visit, though their flatbread pizza also came to play.

Night two brought us a little outside town to Eastern Divide Brewing Co.. Don’t let the rural location fool you—it was packed. Think picnic-table energy meets craft-beer haven. I went with the “Staff Picks” beer flight, which offered a lovely tour of non-IPA options: lagers, a stout, a sour, and a cider. If you’re into bitter hops, there were plenty of IPAs too. Food-wise, the smash burger was well-seasoned (though a little overcooked for my taste) and the fries were dangerously addictive.

All in all? Blacksburg knows how to feed you and give you a decent night’s rest without demanding too much in return. Just how I like it.

— Roamwell
Calm, Collegiate, and Just a Little Hungry: A Summer Visit to Blacksburg

2025-07-28

They say timing is everything. I say timing is overrated—especially when you’re hungry, barreling down I-81, and trying to snap photos between the glare of truck grills and missed exits.

I found myself heading south through the Shenandoah Valley on a stretch of highway that can only be described as scenic, provided you’re willing to risk your life trying to capture the Blue Ridge while dodging a semi. Between the sky-piercing overpasses and tree-lined ridges, there were moments I wished I had a co-pilot with a better shutter finger. Alas, hunger and highway speeds do not lend themselves to well-timed photography.

Destination: Virginia Tech, nestled in the town of Blacksburg, Virginia. The university has grown substantially over the past couple decades—some might even say doubled in size—but during a summer visit, the campus feels like a giant has taken a deep breath and momentarily exhaled. The students are gone, the sidewalks are hushed, and the pace slows to something that feels vaguely European. Or maybe that’s just the road stiffness talking.

The town itself, normally animated by the pulse of student life, settles into a rare tranquility this time of year. You’ll pass faculty out walking dogs, the occasional cyclist, and storefronts that seem to breathe easier without the rhythm of semester chaos. Blacksburg in summer is the kind of place that makes you remember why people still choose to live in college towns long after their own diplomas have yellowed.

I came for business—visiting with professors and researchers whose work has become increasingly prominent. There’s an energy to the place, even in its quiet. You can feel the institutional ambition humming just under the surface, like cicadas waiting for the next academic cycle to kick in. And despite the university’s expansion, the town has managed to retain its bones: Main Street charm, Appalachian friendliness, and a walkable downtown that doesn’t try too hard.

After a long day of meetings and modestly successful attempts at professional small talk, I managed one last stop—Virginia Tech’s War Memorial, standing solemn and stately under evening lights. The Pylons, as they’re known, rise in tribute to the university’s fallen. Lit from below and flanked by towering trees, they are a sight best seen in person, and preferably when the campus is quiet. They carry a stillness that even the best travel photos can’t quite replicate. I tried anyway.

Next time, I’ll bring snacks for the road and a better grip on my phone.

—Roamwell
Hello, World. Or At Least the Departures Lounge.

2025-07-20

Every travel blog has to start somewhere.

Some begin on a sun-drenched beach. Others start with an epic trek, a perfect espresso in Rome, or a mountain selfie at sunrise. This one starts… somewhere off Interstate 81. Probably with gas station trail mix in one hand and my phone in the other, scribbling down a half-baked blog idea in between voice memos.

This space is for the curious, the overstimulated, the wayward conference-goers, and the families wondering if it’s too soon to stop for snacks again. (It isn’t.)

It’s a space for stories — the ones that make you laugh, the ones that make you pause, and the ones that make you want to pack a bag for somewhere new.

So hello, world. Let’s get lost — on purpose.

— Roamwell