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NEW A TEN -- A SEMINOLE MAN AND ANOTHER DRIVER MAKE A RECORD-BREAKING CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY. THEY DROVE A TESLA MODEL 3 FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK IT TOOK THEM JUST OVER 50 HOURS.. AND THEY DIDN'T USE A SINGLE GALLON OF GAS! THE TIMED DRIVE IS KNOWN

Media: Fox 13 Tampa

Two men driving a Tesla Model 3 with the heat turned off to save power have set a new electric vehicle driving record for a coast-to-coast Cannonball Run.

Automotive journalist and rally race driver Alex Roy and Daniel Zorilla of Seminole, Fla., made the journey in 50 hours and 16 minutes, shaving more than an hour off the previous mark set last July by a Tesla Model S.

The Cannonball Run is an unofficial, unsanctioned timed auto race from New York City to Redondo Beach, Calif., that is based not on the 1981 Burt Reynolds movie, but rather on four actual outlaw car races during the 1970s.

MORE: Tesla Model 3 misses target, but investors still cheer

The new record was actually set in late December, after Zorilla came to California to pick up his brand new $35,000 Tesla Model 3, but he only recently talked about the journey with the Tampa Bay Times and Fox 13 News.

Zorilla contacted Roy, whom he only knew by reputation, and asked if he'd like to join him in a reverse Cannonball Run, from Redondo Beach to New York. Like Zorilla, Roy is a big fan of Teslas, so he readily signed up.

  • A Tesla Model 3 is seen in Fremont, Calif., on Monday, February 12, 2018. Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle
Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle
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A Tesla Model 3 is seen in Fremont, Calif., on Monday, February 12, 2018.
A Tesla Model 3 is seen in Fremont, Calif., on Monday, February 12, 2018.
Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle
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Image 2 of 28 | Tesla Motors through the years
Image 3 of 28 | Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning
Tesla Motors was incorporated by Martin Eberhard (pictured) and Marc Tarpenning in 2003.
Tesla Motors was incorporated by Martin Eberhard (pictured) and Marc Tarpenning in 2003.
Photo: Paul Sakuma, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Image 4 of 28 | Elon Musk
Eberhard was initially the CEO of Tesla Motors before Elon Musk (pictured) was named the chairman of the board, and ultimately CEO of Tesla Motors.
Eberhard was initially the CEO of Tesla Motors before Elon Musk (pictured) was named the chairman of the board, and ultimately CEO of Tesla Motors.
Photo: ChinaFotoPress, ChinaFotoPress Via Getty Images
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Image 6 of 28 | Tesla Roadster
Tesla's first production car, the Tesla Roadster, was one of the first commercially available highway-capable all-electric cars on the market. Debuting in 2007, the Roadster was based on the Lotus Elise.
Tesla's first production car, the Tesla Roadster, was one of the first commercially available highway-capable all-electric cars on the market. Debuting in 2007, the Roadster was based on the Lotus Elise.
Image 7 of 28 | Tesla Roadster
Tesla said the two-seat Roadster could get up to 200 miles per charge.
Tesla said the two-seat Roadster could get up to 200 miles per charge.
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 8 of 28 | Tesla Model S
The first Model 3 cars were delivered in 2012 after being announced in 2008. The Model S became the bestselling electric car in the United States in 2015.
The first Model 3 cars were delivered in 2012 after being announced in 2008. The Model S became the bestselling electric car in the United States in 2015.
Photo: James Lipman, Tesla Motors
Image 9 of 28 | Model S fires
In 2013 a handful of fires involving the Model S were reported and received widespread media coverage. By 2014 all new Models S cars were built, featuring a beefed-up underbody shield to prevent the road damage that could potentially cause the fires, and older cars were retrofitted. less
In 2013 a handful of fires involving the Model S were reported and received widespread media coverage. By 2014 all new Models S cars were built, featuring a beefed-up underbody shield to prevent the road damage ... more
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Image 11 of 28 | Tesla Model S
Model S Teslas start at $69,000.
Model S Teslas start at $69,000.
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 12 of 28 | Tesla's Fremont factory
Tesla manufactures cars at their highly-automated factory in Fremont, Calif. The plant was previously used as a collaboration between General Motors and Toyota.
Tesla manufactures cars at their highly-automated factory in Fremont, Calif. The plant was previously used as a collaboration between General Motors and Toyota.
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 13 of 28 | Tesla's gigafactory
A rendering shows the so-called Gigafactory currently under construction in Nevada, which will produce batteries for Tesla's cars. Nevada won out to other proposed sites in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. less
A rendering shows the so-called Gigafactory currently under construction in Nevada, which will produce batteries for Tesla's cars. Nevada won out to other proposed sites in California, Arizona, Nevada, New ... more
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 14 of 28 | Tesla Model S
The Model S is much more practical than the Roadster with four doors and cargo space under the rear hatch.
The Model S is much more practical than the Roadster with four doors and cargo space under the rear hatch.
Photo: Tesla Motors
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The Tesla Model S also has a small front trunk for extra storage.
The Tesla Model S also has a small front trunk for extra storage.
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 17 of 28 | Tesla Model S P85D
The Model S P85D, a high-power variant of the S, makes an equivalent of 691 horsepower, according to Car & Driver.
The Model S P85D, a high-power variant of the S, makes an equivalent of 691 horsepower, according to Car & Driver.
Photo: Telsa Motors
Image 18 of 28 | Tesla Model S P85D
The P85D gains power over the normal Model S with the inclusion of an additional motor at the front wheels.
The P85D gains power over the normal Model S with the inclusion of an additional motor at the front wheels.
Photo: Telsa Motors
Image 19 of 28 | 'Ludicrous' mode
The P85D, already quick, was quickly given a software upgrade called "Ludicrous" mode which allows the car to accelerate from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds.
The P85D, already quick, was quickly given a software upgrade called "Ludicrous" mode which allows the car to accelerate from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds.
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The Tesla Model X was announced in 2013 with first deliveries beginning in 2015.
The Tesla Model X was announced in 2013 with first deliveries beginning in 2015.
Photo: Tesla Motors
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The Model X is a full-size crossover that starts at $80,000 but can sell upwards of $140,000 for the Signature model.
The Model X is a full-size crossover that starts at $80,000 but can sell upwards of $140,000 for the Signature model.
Photo: Tesla Motors
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The gullwing rear doors allow for easier loading in tight spaces, according to Tesla.
The gullwing rear doors allow for easier loading in tight spaces, according to Tesla.
Photo: Tesla Motors
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In August 2015, in preparation for the first deliveries of the Model X (pictured), rolled out new software features including their so-called "Autopilot."
In August 2015, in preparation for the first deliveries of the Model X (pictured), rolled out new software features including their so-called "Autopilot."
Photo: Tesla Motors
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Image 26 of 28 | Model 3
In March 2016, Tesla introduced the Model 3, and immediately accepted hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for the vehicle which is supposed to sell for around $35,000. Few, if any real specs have been released.
In March 2016, Tesla introduced the Model 3, and immediately accepted hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for the vehicle which is supposed to sell for around $35,000. Few, if any real specs have been released.
Photo: Tesla Motors
Image 27 of 28 | Model S 60
On June 9, 2016, Tesla announced yet another model, the Tesla Model S 60, which will sell for slightly less than the Model S.
On June 9, 2016, Tesla announced yet another model, the Tesla Model S 60, which will sell for slightly less than the Model S.
Photo: Tesla
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Every mile of the trip and each charging stop was recorded by a camera. A GPS app tracked mileage. The pair brought along a map of charging stations, which often are separated by 100-150 miles.

By not turning on the heater 90 percent of the time, they were able to reduce fueling stops. The tradeoff was discomfort: Most of the country was frigid in the last week of December.

"I'm a Florida guy," Zorilla told the Tampa Bay Times. "I'm not used to the cold weather."

Staying awake was another problem.

"You don't stop and sleep," Zorrilla told Fox 13. "You can stop if you need to but if you take too long, you won't break the record."

MORE: Edmunds hits the road with a Tesla Model 3

In Pennsylvania they ran into snow and out of windshield wiper fluid. Precious time was lost while Zorilla hitched a ride to find a service station that had it in stock, only to have his phone battery run out of juice. He had to find a charger before he could call Roy to pick him up.

On Dec. 31, after 2,860 miles on the road, they arrived in New York City, beating the Model S's record 90 minutes. The entire trip cost $101 in charging expenses.

Zorilla has since sold his Tesla — he got an offer he couldn't refuse — but is on the list for another.