There’s something romantic and wild about long drives and open highways with a car that feels like the road is rolling beneath you. Road-tripping across the US in an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the best ways to see the country without filters.
Whether you want to traverse the Loneliest Road in America or the Road to Nowhere, there’s no shortage of epic routes on America’s extensive 4.1 million miles of road networks.
Hitting the road in an EV is fun and doable, and you can make the adventure even smoother with some planning.
Plan Your Route with Charging in Mind
Road trips are all about the freedom of going wherever the road takes you. However, with an EV, it’s best to ensure you’re within the reach of a charger. Most major routes are now EV-friendly. By August 2024, 192,000 charging ports were available along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways throughout the US.
You can find EV charging stations using the US Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator, apps like Google Maps and Plugshare, or websites like Chargemap. You can search by location, filter by connector type and charging levels, and view real-time availability and pricing.
Make Charging Time Fun
Charging your EV will take longer than filling up a petrol tank, but you don’t have to wait to watch the battery tick up in the car. With a fast charger, you can get your vehicle to 80% in around 30 to 45 minutes, but it can take longer in slower stations.
Take it as a chance to pause, wander around a great little town, or grab lunch. Visit the world’s largest frying pan. Yes, it’s real, and it’s in South Carolina. Unexpected stops can give you some of the best memories on a road trip.
Most charging spots are near shopping centres or parks, so stand up and stretch your legs, get a beverage, or get tips from other EV owners as your car gets juiced up.
Highways, Byways, and EVs: Road Tripping Across the US
Download Offline Maps and Entertainment
Download maps beforehand, especially if you plan to head off the interstate. Reception can drop in the deserts and mountains, and you may get to a few patches without a signal.
The soundtrack is half the fun on a road trip, so have your music and podcasts handy. The last thing you want is to lose your signal and get stuck listening to static halfway through Arizona.
Don’t Rely on Roaming – Get an eSIM
Roaming in the US can get expensive fast, and you can’t count on public Wi-Fi if you’re in the middle of nowhere. An eSIM for the USA allows you to access local data without messing around with new numbers or swapping SIM cards.
It’s cheap, quick to set up, and keeps you connected for navigation, booking, or working on the go. The setup usually takes a few minutes with most new phones that are eSIM compatible.
Be Realistic about the Distance
Many states in the US are large enough that you can drive for several hours without crossing into another state. Distances can be wild, and the sheer scale can be a bit of a shock. Don’t squeeze too much into a single day to avoid getting exhausted and missing out on the fun bits.
Give yourself time to enjoy the journey and plan stops every two hours or roughly 120 miles apart. The range for a full charge can average around 180 miles on the freeway, but it can vary as you go up and down hills, pass large vehicles, or carry luggage.
You can align your stops with meal and bathroom breaks and enjoy the trip more when you’re not rushing from one point to another with range anxiety creeping in.
Book A Place to Stay with Charging if Possible
Charging where you stay overnight will save you time and money. A spot with a Level 1 or 2 charger can be ideal, and you can plug your car in while you sleep and wake up to a full charge.
Not all hotels offer EV charging, so check before you book. Sites like Airbnb and Booking.com have filters for EV charging. You can also plug into standard outlets in some properties. It may be slow, but it’s better than nothing.
Having a portable charging cable can come in handy in such cases. You can also call out to determine if all chargers are working at your lodging and know in advance if you need to consider your options before arriving.
Wrap Up
Taking an EV across the US is a unique kind of adventure. It’s cleaner, quieter, and one of the best ways to explore the country. You’ll see, stop, and discover more places you could have otherwise zoomed past.