Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me! For this trip to Las Vegas, I decided to leave the Teslas behind and take the Rivian R1S. This was a special trip for a few reasons: it was my birthday weekend, and I just received the highly anticipated Rivian holiday update featuring Hands-Free Driver+.
As a software engineer, I know taking a road trip right after a major OTA update is a bit of a gamble, but we went all in! I spent a lot of time testing the new hands-free on the dash and comparing the steering modes. While it isn't "point-to-point" like Tesla’s FSD, I actually found myself using it more on the wide-open highway because it stays in its lane without the constant hesitation I've been seeing in recent Tesla FSD versions. However, I did experience a couple of phantom braking moments when passing 18-wheelers, so you definitely still need to be a vigilant supervisor.
We also put the charging networks to the test. I utilized a mix of the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) and the Tesla Supercharger network (specifically the new 325 kW V3.5 dispensers). I even paid the $12.99 Tesla subscription fee to get the lower member rates, which definitely paid off given we used over 212 kWh of energy. I’ll be breaking down the charging curves and the efficiency impact of those heavy 50-60 mph desert wind gusts.
From upgrading to the Sky Suites at the Aria to exploring Area 15 and catching the David Copperfield show, it was an incredible birthday celebration with the family. Stick around until the end for the full trip data, including our final efficiency of 2.3 miles per kWh.
Thank you for watching! If you liked the video, please Like and Subscribe!
Trip data spreadsheet - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iYTKB00y5SxMjVEj9xQHdlFmTAR5FaSKAhEpDmR_B6c/edit?usp=sharing
stories.rivian.com/software-update-2025-46
EVBase Mattress - youtube.com/watch?v=4rE4ZM5Bsoo
TC3 Air Compressor
amzn.to/3GDsU7w
astroai.com/tc3-air-compressor-portable-tire-inflator/ap/1000432694
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCxxfYRicpclvAjAveEgraYw/join
⭐️If you are planning to buy a Tesla, please use my referral link
https://my.linkpod.site/tesla
⭐️Rivian Referral is here.
SHERWIN1705934
https://my.linkpod.site/rivian
⭐️A2ZEV adapters
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Use coupon code - SHERWIN
⭐️ Hansshow
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Use coupon code - sherwin
⭐️EVBase affiliate link - https://my.linkpod.site/evbase
Use coupon code: sherwin
Rivian R1S Air Mattress - https://evbase.biz/47CCGBK
Hockey Pucks Jack Stand for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3ycfzyC
Running boards for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/4kMtsWR
Roof rack for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3MCvZnS
Roof Shade for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/45Vc9yU
Lower Center Console Tray for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3Tk3MG8
Center Console Organizer for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3Tk3ZZW
⭐️HaloBlk
haloblk.com
amzn.to/45Zu732 (Buy from Amazon)
Use discount code to save - sherwin10
⭐️BestEVMod Juniper accessories - amzn.to/4mvrcVm
⭐️BestEVMod Rivian accessories (amzn.to/3TL0egg)
R1T bed mat liner - amzn.to/3XYCyHM
Camp speaker organizer - amzn.to/4gA60uO
Center Console Safe Vault - amzn.to/3zJBZrN
2nd Row Seat Back Anchor Media Mount - amzn.to/3N2ofLX
⭐️ VION - https://www.vion.parts/?ref=sherwinm
Code: SHERWIN
Starlink referral - starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-2831421-61068-57
⭐️Swagman Race Ready bike rack - swagman.net/collections/roof-racks/products/race-ready-roof-rack
Connect
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tiktok.com/@sherwinmdev
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youtube.com/@SherwinTravels
youtube.com/@smartinupcreations
0:00 Intro
2:35 Rivian Universal Hands-Free (UHF) driving
3:23 Victorville superchargers
6:52 Charging at both Rivian and Tesla
7:39 Barstow RAN chargers
9:26 Thank you referrals
10:06 Eddie World being an EV ambassador
11:04 Baker Mojave superchargers
11:42 Checked on the EV9 owner
12:21 Why does it keep happening?
14:38 How did we pack?
17:13 Arrived at Aria
17:45 Our room
19:21 Happy Birthday
20:00 State of charge with Rivian
20:14 West Russell superchargers
22:29 Arrived at Area15
25:24 The Next Morning
27:27 South Las Vegas RAN
30:09 Baker (Mojave) superchargers
30:29 Thoughts on UHF
33:14 Arrived at home
33:18 Trip data
33:33 About Tesla charging subscription
34:26 Love road trips with Rivian
35:57 Cybertruck (last trip) vs R1S
#RivianR1S #TeslaSupercharger #RivianDriverPlus #VegasRoadTrip #EVCharging #HandsFreeDriving #RivianAdventureNetwork #TeslaNetwork #HolidayRoadTrip #ElectricSUV
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me! For this trip to Las Vegas, I decided to leave the Teslas behind and take the Rivian R1S. This was a special trip for a few reasons: it was my birthday weekend, and I just received the highly anticipated Rivian holiday update featuring Hands-Free Driver+.
As a software engineer, I know taking a road trip right after a major OTA update is a bit of a gamble, but we went all in! I spent a lot of time testing the new hands-free on the dash and comparing the steering modes. While it isn't "point-to-point" like Tesla’s FSD, I actually found myself using it more on the wide-open highway because it stays in its lane without the constant hesitation I've been seeing in recent Tesla FSD versions. However, I did experience a couple of phantom braking moments when passing 18-wheelers, so you definitely still need to be a vigilant supervisor.
We also put the charging networks to the test. I utilized a mix of the Rivian Adventure Network (RAN) and the Tesla Supercharger network (specifically the new 325 kW V3.5 dispensers). I even paid the $12.99 Tesla subscription fee to get the lower member rates, which definitely paid off given we used over 212 kWh of energy. I’ll be breaking down the charging curves and the efficiency impact of those heavy 50-60 mph desert wind gusts.
From upgrading to the Sky Suites at the Aria to exploring Area 15 and catching the David Copperfield show, it was an incredible birthday celebration with the family. Stick around until the end for the full trip data, including our final efficiency of 2.3 miles per kWh.
Thank you for watching! If you liked the video, please Like and Subscribe!
Trip data spreadsheet - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iYTKB00y5SxMjVEj9xQHdlFmTAR5FaSKAhEpDmR_B6c/edit?usp=sharing
stories.rivian.com/software-update-2025-46
EVBase Mattress - youtube.com/watch?v=4rE4ZM5Bsoo
TC3 Air Compressor
amzn.to/3GDsU7w
astroai.com/tc3-air-compressor-portable-tire-inflator/ap/1000432694
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCxxfYRicpclvAjAveEgraYw/join
⭐️If you are planning to buy a Tesla, please use my referral link
https://my.linkpod.site/tesla
⭐️Rivian Referral is here.
SHERWIN1705934
https://my.linkpod.site/rivian
⭐️A2ZEV adapters
Affiliate link - https://my.linkpod.site/a2zev
Use coupon code - SHERWIN
⭐️ Hansshow
Affiliate link - https://my.linkpod.site/hansshow
Use coupon code - sherwin
⭐️EVBase affiliate link - https://my.linkpod.site/evbase
Use coupon code: sherwin
Rivian R1S Air Mattress - https://evbase.biz/47CCGBK
Hockey Pucks Jack Stand for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3ycfzyC
Running boards for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/4kMtsWR
Roof rack for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3MCvZnS
Roof Shade for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/45Vc9yU
Lower Center Console Tray for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3Tk3MG8
Center Console Organizer for Rivian - https://evbase.biz/3Tk3ZZW
⭐️HaloBlk
haloblk.com
amzn.to/45Zu732 (Buy from Amazon)
Use discount code to save - sherwin10
⭐️BestEVMod Juniper accessories - amzn.to/4mvrcVm
⭐️BestEVMod Rivian accessories (amzn.to/3TL0egg)
R1T bed mat liner - amzn.to/3XYCyHM
Camp speaker organizer - amzn.to/4gA60uO
Center Console Safe Vault - amzn.to/3zJBZrN
2nd Row Seat Back Anchor Media Mount - amzn.to/3N2ofLX
⭐️ VION - https://www.vion.parts/?ref=sherwinm
Code: SHERWIN
Starlink referral - starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-2831421-61068-57
⭐️Swagman Race Ready bike rack - swagman.net/collections/roof-racks/products/race-ready-roof-rack
Connect
instagram.com/sherwinmdev
twitter.com/sherwinmdev
tiktok.com/@sherwinmdev
facebook.com/sherwinmdev
Other Youtube Channels
youtube.com/@SherwinTravels
youtube.com/@smartinupcreations
0:00 Intro
2:35 Rivian Universal Hands-Free (UHF) driving
3:23 Victorville superchargers
6:52 Charging at both Rivian and Tesla
7:39 Barstow RAN chargers
9:26 Thank you referrals
10:06 Eddie World being an EV ambassador
11:04 Baker Mojave superchargers
11:42 Checked on the EV9 owner
12:21 Why does it keep happening?
14:38 How did we pack?
17:13 Arrived at Aria
17:45 Our room
19:21 Happy Birthday
20:00 State of charge with Rivian
20:14 West Russell superchargers
22:29 Arrived at Area15
25:24 The Next Morning
27:27 South Las Vegas RAN
30:09 Baker (Mojave) superchargers
30:29 Thoughts on UHF
33:14 Arrived at home
33:18 Trip data
33:33 About Tesla charging subscription
34:26 Love road trips with Rivian
35:57 Cybertruck (last trip) vs R1S
#RivianR1S #TeslaSupercharger #RivianDriverPlus #VegasRoadTrip #EVCharging #HandsFreeDriving #RivianAdventureNetwork #TeslaNetwork #HolidayRoadTrip #ElectricSUV
