How to Plan a Road Trip with an Electric Car

With the recent uptick in popularity of electric vehicles, due in part to their accessibility for everyday individuals and their exceptional efficiency, it’s only natural to consider their other uses, aside from daily commuting, such as road tripping. 

Routinely, road trips are marked by sightseeing locations, vistas, and gas station stops, but what about when you switch to an EV? Is traveling the country in an electric vehicle any simpler, more difficult, or virtually the same as doing so in a gas burner? 

If you’re one of the millions of EV drivers on the road who are contemplating your first road trip in an electric vehicle, follow this guide to prepare for the best possible outcome. 

It’s safe to say that an EV can make a solid road tripper. 

For some time, EVs had a negative stigma associated with range. Many believed that the average electric vehicle’s range was significantly less than that of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle, and charging times were far longer than a typical gas station fill-up. While once the case, developments in battery technology and the introduction of supercharger stations have made any differences negligible. 

For instance, the average range of an EV in 2025 is 300 miles on a single charge. That’s approximately the distance from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Los Angeles, California. 

What about charge times? The most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y, which features a range of between 277 and 311 miles, takes approximately 30 minutes to reach 80 percent capacity and one hour to reach 100 percent. While longer than an average gas station fill-up, it’s easy to use this time to stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, and use the restroom. 

Unique Electric Vehicle Considerations

That being said, road-tripping in an EV does offer some unique challenges compared to road-tripping in a gas-powered vehicle. When planning your excursion, you must consider certain variables, such as operational charging stations along your route and the distances between them. 

You’ll also need to consider the type of chargers along said routes, as several feature different plug styles that require separate adapters. Lastly, if your road trip will last longer than a day, plan to stay at hotels with accessible EV chargers or those that have a charging station nearby. 

Where to Charge Electric Car on a Road Trip

Speaking of charging your EV, what’s the best way to find an EV charging station along your route? Fortunately, there are a good number of chargers in the United States. 

While EV infrastructure isn’t as expansive as that of gas stations and fuel pumps, as of June 2025, there are 73,903 EV charging stations with 217,929 EV chargers in the United States. Additionally, these chargers appear on map applications, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, making them easy to locate.

Planning a Road Trip in an EV

So, you’re ready to plan for your first EV road trip? Follow these tips, tricks, and strategies to plan a smooth and successful journey. 

Map Your Route With an EV Route Planner

Mapping a route in an EV isn’t the same as doing so in a gas-powered vehicle. You’ll need to take into account charging locations, distance between charges, and charging times—that’s where EV route planners come in handy. These handy applications—either built into an EV’s operating system or a third party—utilize your vehicle’s information to plan the most efficient and optimized route, taking into account stops and charging times. This is an excellent first start to gauge total drive times when planning a road trip in an EV. 

Understand Your Vehicle’s Range

Even with a route planner, you may encounter hiccups along your journey, such as inoperable charging stations or those with lengthy waits. In these cases, it’s essential to understand your vehicle’s range to determine whether you can reach the next destination or charger without the risk of running out of power. 

Packing the Right Adapters

Depending on the type of charging station you stop at, you may need an adapter to connect. In the United States, there are three primary charger connector types for public chargers—CCS, Tesla, and CHAdeMO. While the latter once dominated the world of EV charging, it’s being phased out in favor of CCS, which uses a single connector for both AC and DC power rather than the dual connectors required for CHAdeMO. In either case, having an adapter for each charger type is a wise idea. In a pinch, an adapter can be the difference between continuing your journey that day or charging overnight on a residential charger. 

Call Ahead and Map Out Backup Chargers

At the start of every journey, it’s best to call into the charging stations you plan to visit or hotels you plan to stay at to verify that their EV chargers are in proper functioning order. If not, this proactive approach allows you to navigate to backup chargers and plan a more effective route. 

Full Charge Your EV Before Embarking

Before setting off on your journey, it’s essential to fully charge your EV for maximum range. There’s nothing worse than being 25 miles from your destination and having to stop for a charge.  

Additional Tips and Tricks

Follow these additional tips once you’ve embarked on your journey to ensure a smooth and hassle-free driving experience. 

Monitor Speed and Power Usage

An EV’s range isn’t always accurate. While some typically experience accuracy to a single percent or two, others cite significant discrepancies between the expected and actual range. Monitor your vehicle’s speed and power usage while driving to get the most precise range possible. Try to keep your vehicle within its efficiency range to ensure the longest distance between charges and the most accurate range. 

Pick Charging Stations with Food or Activities Nearby

When planning your route, especially if you’re traveling with your family, try to find charging stations that are near activities or restaurants. That way, you aren’t sitting in your car for an hour. Instead, take a walk, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat—that hour will fly by!

Be Mindful of Other EV Drivers

Lastly, it’s essential to be mindful of your fellow EV drivers, especially while charging. Follow proper etiquette, such as waiting your turn at the charging station, disconnecting your vehicle as soon as it’s fully charged, and not drawing power from public or private outlets that aren't dedicated to EV charging. 

If you follow these tips, you’ll be a professional EV road tripper in no time.