Best time to leave
Explore a sample 48-hour storm and see how changing your trip duration changes the suggested departure window.
This free interactive example shows why the hour you leave can matter as much as the route you take. It uses simulated weather, not a forecast, so you can learn how a departure window works before you check your own trip.
What you can do
- Choose a trip duration. Pick 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 hours. A longer drive needs a longer stretch of calmer weather.
- Scrub through 48 hours. Drag the slider, or use the left and right arrow keys, to pick an example departure hour.
- Jump to the recommended window. One tap moves the slider to the suggested departure.
What you see
- A bar chart of storm intensity for each hour of the example, from 0 to 100, with a line marking severe conditions.
- The recommended window highlighted in green, sized to your trip duration.
- A departure verdict for the hour you picked, with the main condition in that stretch, such as clear, light rain, wet roads, a wind advisory, heavy rain, or snow and ice.
- A comparison between your hour and the recommended hour.
How to read storm intensity
In this example, lower intensity means calmer simulated conditions. The tiers are:
| Intensity | Tier | Meaning in the example |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 | Clear | Calmer conditions |
| 25–49 | Caution | Some storm activity, such as wet roads or wind |
| 50–74 | Warning | Stronger storm activity, such as heavy rain |
| 75–100 | Severe | Severe storm activity, such as snow or ice |
The trip score in a full TripCaptain briefing runs the other way: a higher Hazard Score™ means more favorable forecast conditions. Neither number can guarantee a safe drive.
Example
Say a band of heavy rain and wind crosses the example late on the second day. With a 1-hour trip, you may be able to slip through a short break in the weather. Switch to an 8- or 12-hour drive and that gap is too short, so the suggested window moves to a longer calm stretch earlier or later. The example storm changes each day, so try a few durations to see the pattern.
Key takeaways
- Departure time and trip length work together; check both.
- When no window is fully calm, the tool still points to the least disrupted one. That is not the same as a good one.
- For a real trip, compare forecasts along the whole route, not only at your destination.
Common questions
Is this a forecast for my trip?
No. It is a simulated storm used for illustration. Plan your trip to review the available forecast for your own route and compare nearby departure times.
What does the recommended window mean?
It is the block of hours with the lowest overall intensity for the trip duration you chose. It can still be unsettled if the storm covers most of the period.
How far can I compare departures in the planner?
The planner compares departures around your selected time within your plan’s search range: ±1 hour on Free, ±2 on Road Tripper, and ±4 on Pro or Enterprise.
Add your route, vehicle and departure time to review the forecast for your own drive.
See how a trip plan comes together.
Explore a saved route, inspect its weather, or compare recorded EV departure estimates.
Saved examples, not current forecasts. Exploring a demo does not use your trip allowance.