Road Tripping Made Easy: EV Road Trip Guide
Road tripping in your electric vehicle doesn’t have to be scary; it just takes planning. Making sure you and your EV have time to rest & charge up can also make the journey even more pleasant. Read our guide below to make the most of your trip.
Plan Your Charging
- Map your route using vendor-neutral route planning tools like PlugShare and A Better Route Planner. Your vehicle app may also include a robust built-in trip planning feature. Charging network specific tools such as ChargePoint, EVGo, and Tesla can help identify Level 3 (DC Fast) stations specific to their networks along highways and corridors or at destinations.
- Always identify backup chargers near each stop in case of failures or unexpected routing changes.
- Charge fully before departure—overnight Level 2 charging at hotels or resorts sets you up for each driving day.
Understand Fast Charging Logistics
- Expect to stop every ~3 hours or when your battery is below ~25%, matching natural breaks like meals or sightseeing.
- Each DC Fast charging stop typically takes 15–40 minutes, like a longer coffee break.
- Make note of where you intend to charge on your road trip and ensure that you have installed and registered with the vendor-specific charging apps on your route before you start your road trip. (ChargePoint, Tesla, EVGo, Electrify America, Flo, etc.)
- Payment is simple: Use an app like PlugShare to know which payment methods are supported at the specific charging location. All charging locations support the charging vendor’s app to initiate and pay for the charging session. Some vendors such as Tesla (Supercharger network) support “plug in to charge” provided you are driving a Tesla or have a registered Tesla adapter for your EV and the specific Tesla location supports non-Tesla charging. Some charging units also accept a vendor’s RFID card (ChargePoint, EVGo, etc.). Although rare, some charging units may also accept credit card payments.
Charging Cost & Efficiency
- Charging on the road often costs around $3 per equivalent gallon, with cheaper rates at home (~$1.75/gallon equivalent). Some destinations (like hotels) offer free overnight charging, which can significantly reduce trip costs.
Corridor Highlights (New England)
- Northeast corridors like I‑95 (Boston–NYC), I‑93, I‑89, I‑90 across Western MA, and I‑87 to upstate NY are well served with fast chargers every ~20-50 miles.
- New Hampshire is rapidly expanding charging across major routes (I‑93, I‑89, RT‑1, RT‑16, RT‑4/101).
Real Trip Insights
A summer NE–NY trip (~750 mi round‑trip):
- Only three fast‑charge stops were needed.
- Each stop lasted ~30 minutes, aligning with meal or rest breaks.
- Charging requires no special skills, just tap your card or app.
- The cost was comparable to gas, making EV road-tripping both economical and practical.
Practical Recommendations
| Tip | Details |
| Use multiple charging apps | For real-time station status, pricing, and route planning. |
| Plan around charging stops | Combine them with meals, rest breaks, or sightseeing to optimize time. |
| Know your vehicle’s winter range | Account for a drop in efficiency by starting fully charged. |
| Confirm destination charging | Call ahead to ensure Level 2 plugs are available at hotels. |
Summary
EV road-tripping, once viewed as a challenge, is now smooth and reliable with proper planning. Use apps to map charging, expect regular ~30-minute DC fast charging pauses, optimize stops around planned breaks, and you’ll enjoy a stress-free, eco-friendly journey. Especially in New England and along major corridors, you’re fully covered, even in winter. Have questions about EVs or charging? As our EV specialists! Contact Us