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Off the Grid: My Ride from Louisiana to the Panama Canal in an Electric Car
The rollicking tale of a first-of-its-kind adventure—driving a Tesla through Central America.
Only a week after the nation’s newspapers were filled with headlines of the first cross-country trip in an electric car, two Louisianans slip quietly across the Rio Grande in south Texas in an attempt to do the unthinkable—drive a factory electric car across seven Third World countries to the “end of the road,” Panama City, Panama.
Without support and armed only with a toolbox, a bag of electrical adapters, and their wits, author Randy Denmon and his friend Dean trudge on through jungles, deserts, volcanoes, rivers, and crater-sized potholes, all the while trying to avoid the drug cartels and corrupt border guards that could mean a quick end to their adventure . . . and their lives. Through it all, the same enormous problem loomed how to charge the car in such a primitive and desolate setting?
Despite the numerous setbacks, Randy never lost his sense of humor. Off the Grid is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one about two guys who dropped everything for one grand twenty-first-century adventure—traveling back in time in a car that seemed to come from the future.
Only a week after the nation’s newspapers were filled with headlines of the first cross-country trip in an electric car, two Louisianans slip quietly across the Rio Grande in south Texas in an attempt to do the unthinkable—drive a factory electric car across seven Third World countries to the “end of the road,” Panama City, Panama.
Without support and armed only with a toolbox, a bag of electrical adapters, and their wits, author Randy Denmon and his friend Dean trudge on through jungles, deserts, volcanoes, rivers, and crater-sized potholes, all the while trying to avoid the drug cartels and corrupt border guards that could mean a quick end to their adventure . . . and their lives. Through it all, the same enormous problem loomed how to charge the car in such a primitive and desolate setting?
Despite the numerous setbacks, Randy never lost his sense of humor. Off the Grid is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one about two guys who dropped everything for one grand twenty-first-century adventure—traveling back in time in a car that seemed to come from the future.
- GenresNonfictionTravel
235 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 21, 2026
2 men and a Tesla in South America. A trip in an electric car from Texas to Panama. I so enjoyed the writing style of this book, I felt I was going along on the journey too. Armchair traveling! At the same time looking for the places they visited on Google maps every now and then. The book also brought about some understanding of the history and engineering about each place.
February 11, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Only a week after the nation’s newspapers were filled with headlines of the first cross-country trip in an electric car, two Louisianans slip quietly across the Rio Grande in south Texas in an attempt to do the unthinkable—drive a factory electric car across seven Third World countries to the “end of the road,” Panama City, Panama.
Without support and armed only with a toolbox, a bag of electrical adapters, and their wits, author Randy Denmon and his friend Dean trudge on through jungles, deserts, volcanoes, rivers, and crater-sized potholes, all the while trying to avoid the drug cartels and corrupt border guards that could mean a quick end to their adventure . . . and their lives. Through it all, the same enormous problem loomed daily: how to charge the car in such a primitive and desolate setting?
Despite the numerous setbacks, Randy never lost his sense of humor. Off the Grid is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one about two guys who dropped everything for one grand twenty-first-century adventure—traveling back in time in a car that seemed to come from the future.
*2.5 stars*
I don't want to speak badly about this book, I really don't. So I will start with the one positive I got from this book: it was certainly an original idea, a trip from Texas to Panama City. The blurb says it was "unthinkable" - well, of course, who would do such a thing? And in an electric car? Absurd (in a somewhat good way!)
However, once they get going, it became such a toll on my brain to keep reading. It got so repetitive: how many times did we have to wonder about the next power-up location? How many times did we get to hear just how dangerous a certain place was - the drug lords or dodgy cops?
Add to that the miles and miles of "boring!", this just was not anything like I expected at all.
Paul
ARH
Only a week after the nation’s newspapers were filled with headlines of the first cross-country trip in an electric car, two Louisianans slip quietly across the Rio Grande in south Texas in an attempt to do the unthinkable—drive a factory electric car across seven Third World countries to the “end of the road,” Panama City, Panama.
Without support and armed only with a toolbox, a bag of electrical adapters, and their wits, author Randy Denmon and his friend Dean trudge on through jungles, deserts, volcanoes, rivers, and crater-sized potholes, all the while trying to avoid the drug cartels and corrupt border guards that could mean a quick end to their adventure . . . and their lives. Through it all, the same enormous problem loomed daily: how to charge the car in such a primitive and desolate setting?
Despite the numerous setbacks, Randy never lost his sense of humor. Off the Grid is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one about two guys who dropped everything for one grand twenty-first-century adventure—traveling back in time in a car that seemed to come from the future.
*2.5 stars*
I don't want to speak badly about this book, I really don't. So I will start with the one positive I got from this book: it was certainly an original idea, a trip from Texas to Panama City. The blurb says it was "unthinkable" - well, of course, who would do such a thing? And in an electric car? Absurd (in a somewhat good way!)
However, once they get going, it became such a toll on my brain to keep reading. It got so repetitive: how many times did we have to wonder about the next power-up location? How many times did we get to hear just how dangerous a certain place was - the drug lords or dodgy cops?
Add to that the miles and miles of "boring!", this just was not anything like I expected at all.
Paul
ARH
April 16, 2020
Road trip with a Tesla from America to Panama? Why not? Two courageous Americans, one of them Randy Denmon, proved for the first time that such an adventure is doable. All you need is a lot of courage, some good green money for the tips, 10 to 12 hours of driving the day, plus the motor-less Tesla car.
From Louisiana to the Panama Canal in an electric car, that needs to be charged, this is the journey documented in Off the Grid. Travel lovers looking for details and picturesque descriptions from the countries crossed - Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and finalla Panama - will be a bit (more) disappointed though.
Indeed, there are some observations about landscape and local customs, but most of the interactions are taking place at the borders, when some adventures - not all of them of the pleasant type - awaits, and at the hotels, when looking for some proper charging facilities. The travellers do hurry up to reach their goal or just trying to move fast to escape potential robbery or dangerous encounters with the local organised crime cartels. Some historical details, mostly in connection with the recent history American intrusions and the nefarious United Fruit Company economic presence.
And there are plenty of details about how Tesla works, for how long, what exactly needs to work - electricity, mostly. I am almost convinced that this is what I need for my incoming - lockdown-free journeys around the world.
Take it or leave it, Off the Grid is a story of an unique journey, testing the technical limits of a new, healthier for the environment type of car. The trip was not promoted by Tesla.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
From Louisiana to the Panama Canal in an electric car, that needs to be charged, this is the journey documented in Off the Grid. Travel lovers looking for details and picturesque descriptions from the countries crossed - Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and finalla Panama - will be a bit (more) disappointed though.
Indeed, there are some observations about landscape and local customs, but most of the interactions are taking place at the borders, when some adventures - not all of them of the pleasant type - awaits, and at the hotels, when looking for some proper charging facilities. The travellers do hurry up to reach their goal or just trying to move fast to escape potential robbery or dangerous encounters with the local organised crime cartels. Some historical details, mostly in connection with the recent history American intrusions and the nefarious United Fruit Company economic presence.
And there are plenty of details about how Tesla works, for how long, what exactly needs to work - electricity, mostly. I am almost convinced that this is what I need for my incoming - lockdown-free journeys around the world.
Take it or leave it, Off the Grid is a story of an unique journey, testing the technical limits of a new, healthier for the environment type of car. The trip was not promoted by Tesla.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
December 28, 2017
I received a copy to facilitate my review.
Talk about courage, these men, Randy Denmon and Dean Lewis, have it. I would never attempt to do what they did. He and a friend took an electric car, a Tesla S and drove it from Louisiana to the Panama Canal. What terrified me were the very things they had to worry about. A lot of these countries have drug lords. They also had to worry about to deal with policemen who did things their own way. For me the scariest thing was not knowing where they were going to be able to get electric to power their car. They took all kinds of plugs and extension cords. The Tesla sits real low to the ground. This was also a problem for them. They were not always driving on real smooth roads. There were treacherous mountain roads. There were roads full of potholes, bumps, and other problems like volcanoes. The book, for all of the issues they faced is very upbeat due to Randy’s attitude/sense of humor. As much as I loved the book and knew things had to turn out okay, since they made it back to write the book, I worried for them and their safety the entire time. This was definitely different from what I usually read. That is probably why I enjoyed it so much. I could live through their trip without having to do the physical traveling, from the safety of my own home.
Talk about courage, these men, Randy Denmon and Dean Lewis, have it. I would never attempt to do what they did. He and a friend took an electric car, a Tesla S and drove it from Louisiana to the Panama Canal. What terrified me were the very things they had to worry about. A lot of these countries have drug lords. They also had to worry about to deal with policemen who did things their own way. For me the scariest thing was not knowing where they were going to be able to get electric to power their car. They took all kinds of plugs and extension cords. The Tesla sits real low to the ground. This was also a problem for them. They were not always driving on real smooth roads. There were treacherous mountain roads. There were roads full of potholes, bumps, and other problems like volcanoes. The book, for all of the issues they faced is very upbeat due to Randy’s attitude/sense of humor. As much as I loved the book and knew things had to turn out okay, since they made it back to write the book, I worried for them and their safety the entire time. This was definitely different from what I usually read. That is probably why I enjoyed it so much. I could live through their trip without having to do the physical traveling, from the safety of my own home.
July 19, 2017
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
Off The Grid by Randy Denmon was such an interesting book. I loved reading this book because you have no idea what is going to happen next, but you do know that they survived the trip because he wrote the book. This was a super easy read which I loved because it meant that I didn’t to know a ton about electric cars or things like that. Some books like this tend to be super annoying, but this book kept me interested throughout the entire thing. I really enjoyed the authors writing and all of the stories that he included in this book. Like I said it was an easy read and I was able to read it in a few days. If you are looking for a fun book to read this summer, I would recommend this book to you.
Off The Grid by Randy Denmon was such an interesting book. I loved reading this book because you have no idea what is going to happen next, but you do know that they survived the trip because he wrote the book. This was a super easy read which I loved because it meant that I didn’t to know a ton about electric cars or things like that. Some books like this tend to be super annoying, but this book kept me interested throughout the entire thing. I really enjoyed the authors writing and all of the stories that he included in this book. Like I said it was an easy read and I was able to read it in a few days. If you are looking for a fun book to read this summer, I would recommend this book to you.
April 17, 2018
In my younger years I considered myself the adventurous sort but there is NO WAY I would have undertaken a journey of this magnitude. This is what happens when a guy who hasn't taken a "real" vacation in over five years gets a wild idea and finds a friend willing to ride along.
As far as the writing goes, Randy is no Bert Levy but he does add some humor into this dangerous adventure. There are many fascinating historical facts presented along the way, along with some political opinion.
Because I know he lived to write about it, some of the edge has been taken off. I kept waiting for a few more Top Gear type moments. I can imagine readers and friends waiting breathlessly for daily reports as this daring duo attacked unknown territory.
As far as the writing goes, Randy is no Bert Levy but he does add some humor into this dangerous adventure. There are many fascinating historical facts presented along the way, along with some political opinion.
Because I know he lived to write about it, some of the edge has been taken off. I kept waiting for a few more Top Gear type moments. I can imagine readers and friends waiting breathlessly for daily reports as this daring duo attacked unknown territory.
February 28, 2026
The book provides a worthwhile description of the conditions in Central America and the various adventures encountered during the journey. However, the lack of a map to illustrate the route was a notable omission.
And while I understand the logistical necessity of focusing on charging the vehicle each evening, it was disappointing that it seemed the focus was so focused on finding a charging station. For example, there was no mention of the local cuisine...surely they had to stop to eat? Very little time (and words) seemed to be dedicated to enjoying what each country had to offer.
Overall, while the book is entertaining to a point, it felt like a missed opportunity. Both the narrative and the journey itself could have been much more engaging.
And while I understand the logistical necessity of focusing on charging the vehicle each evening, it was disappointing that it seemed the focus was so focused on finding a charging station. For example, there was no mention of the local cuisine...surely they had to stop to eat? Very little time (and words) seemed to be dedicated to enjoying what each country had to offer.
Overall, while the book is entertaining to a point, it felt like a missed opportunity. Both the narrative and the journey itself could have been much more engaging.
May 13, 2022
Very generous in my rating. The author's constant proclamations of being an "Individual" becomes tiresome. Not one of the sheep dependent on the Evil Government. From the last bastion of individuality (Louisiana) facing the great challenge of finding some place to plug in the $80K Tesla each day. Also facing the daunting challenge of finding smooth paved roads, hotels, and maintaining his supply of cigarettes and hair gel. Zero physical effort. Zero adventure. The single star is for the few times that the history of the area is covered.
February 21, 2018
This is a trip that turned into quite an adventure, but was also a bit of a pointless exercise. They spend most of their time searching for a proper electrical outlet at every stopping place, but what did they expect? And to speak hardly any Spanish? Maybe a case of more cojones than brains.
Still worth reading for its description of conditions in Central America and the perils of traveling therein.
Still worth reading for its description of conditions in Central America and the perils of traveling therein.
June 19, 2017
Overall, the book was okay. It wasn't what I was expecting. I'm interested in EVs and wanted to understand its limitations. This book does not dive into that subject as much as I had hoped. The synopsis of this book is "I'm going to point out an area and tell you how many people died there." Also, this book gave me extreme range anxiety.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2019
Good accounting of an adventure in the premier EV, Tesla
Pretty good read, kinda short and preachy in areas. The narrative was enjoyable, could have gone into some better detail in areas and seemed abbreviated. Was surprised with the lack of preparation, kinds should have done more planning but a good experience for others to learn from.
Pretty good read, kinda short and preachy in areas. The narrative was enjoyable, could have gone into some better detail in areas and seemed abbreviated. Was surprised with the lack of preparation, kinds should have done more planning but a good experience for others to learn from.
July 29, 2023
In 2016, Randy Denmon and his friend Dean Lewis decide to drive a Tesla Model S electric car from the US/Mexico border to the Panama Canal. Was it possible? Could they do it? The answer is, surprisingly, yes. This was an relatively quick and enjoyable read. (It took me awhile, but that's because of life and laziness on my part.) The sheer madness of trying to find a charge and the unorthodox methods of connections was interesting and at time amusing. A different kind of travel book, this was a modern day expedition of discovery and a good read.
June 18, 2018
Fun read. This is not an endeavor I would ever try so I appreciated the vicarious experience. I think the book would be greatly enhanced by an illustration/map of their route. I ended up toggling over to google a lot to see the areas he was writing about.
December 13, 2017
Decent writing. Electrifying insight into how two guys power a Tesla through Central America today while sharing a few history lessons along the way. Drug traffic, banditos, military checkpoints, corrupt border crossings, third world bureaucracy and the craziest drivers anywhere juxtapose a veritable paradise with active volcanoes . Glad they made it back, and the car. The story would loft well into a great remake of the '60s Route 66 tv show, the car would be the Tesla, the route, the Pan American Freeway and countless detours. Call it "The Longest Winding Road."
May 7, 2021
Sentence fragments and purple prose - with patience and an editor it could have been a book.
March 16, 2024
A bit dated. I had to roll my eyes at the sexist, self centered white guy that wrote it. Somehow I remained engaged until the end.
March 19, 2017
A very enjoyable book to read, reading about their escapades to get to the Panama Canal. Sounded like one hell of a trip and hope they got their car back!
April 26, 2017
Denmon’s “Off the Grid”, let’s chalk this up as: you can’t please all the readers all the time.
good luck
**ARC/publisher/NetGalley
good luck
**ARC/publisher/NetGalley
Read
May 31, 2017The author and his buddy drive their electric car across Central America. In order to keep the car going, they must constantly find appropriate electricity sources; not an easy feat in small, out-of-the way towns in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, etc. Sometimes the authors cut it pretty close in terms of the distances they must drive between charges. There are lots of little adventures. The locals are all amazed and want to have their picture taken with this car that has no engine. A neat story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews