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A Highway 1 road trip along California’s Central Coast

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Best EV Route Planner in 2024 (According To EV Owners)

Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Rose Morah

Searching for a good EV route planner can be confusing.

So, we recently took a deep dive into EV route planners.

First, we researched the most recommended EV route planner apps by EV owners who:

• Own an EV and have used different route planner apps.
• Have planned long road trips with EV route planners.

We then planned road trips to different locations in North America (both in cities, rural areas, and on cross-country trips) using the most recommended route planners in order to come up with best app for EV route planning.

But before we dive into the findings, let’s first find out what really makes a good EV road trip planner.

What makes a good EV road trip planner ?

• It should be close to perfect

This means it gives you a close to accurate charge for your next destination. This is great, especially for new EV owners because it minimizes the range anxiety when going on long road trips. 

Additionally, it should provide users with accurate information about the types of chargers and how fast they really are.

• It should allow you to filter the charging stops based on the connector, charging speed, and the number of available chargers.

It should be able to plan a route that has multiple chargers and not just gives you what it thinks are the routes with the most convenient chargers.

Some of these routes may turn out to be ‘chargeless’ or you may end up skipping several high-power chargers.

• The app should be fast, user-friendly, and with very few bugs .

Smart Tips for Planning A Road Trip With An EV .

How to use Tesla J1772 Adapter at non-Tesla public charging stations .

The most recommended EV trip planners by EV owners

The pie chart below shows the most recommended EV route planners by EV owners:

• A Better Route Planner (ABRP)

Summary of the best EV apps in public charging stations:

• 45% of the EV owners recommended PlugShare, while 47% recommended ABRP.
• Some EV owners enjoy using PlugShare in conjunction with ABRP when planning long road trips.
• Only 6% of EV owners recommended Chargeway.
• 2% recommended other EV route planner apps.

NOTE: 70% of Tesla owners recommended the Tesla in-built trip planner. I have not included it in the above data as it is only applicable to Tesla cars.

Best Tesla Trip Planner App In 2022 (According To Tesla Owners) .

How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Use‌ ‌A ‌Better‌ ‌Route‌ ‌Planner‌ (With Illustrations) .

Our experiences with the most recommended EV trip planner apps

As mentioned earlier, we then took the top 3 most recommended EV trip planner apps (PlugShare, ABRP, and Chargeway) on a 2-week cross-country road trip across different cities/towns. 

The data below shows our most recommended EV route planner based on our experience with different EVs.

Summary of the findings:

Based on our experiences with the 3 apps, ABRP emerged as the top app followed closely by PlugShare, and the least recommended was ChargeWay.

Let’s begin from the bottom: our ChargeWay experiences:

• ChargeWay is not that great for cross-country road trips. However, it is a great app if you are touring big cities.
• It lacked some important features that can be found on ABRP and PlugShare apps.

ABRP and PlugShare were the best EV route planner apps, based on our experiences. These two apps have been in the game for quite a while and seem like they are here to stay!

Additionally, you can use them together for a better road trip experience.

For instance, we used A Better Route Planner (ABRP) to plan our trips, and PlugShare to find better-charging options by browsing the charging stations, places to sleep while you charge overnight, restrooms, shopping, WIFI e.t.c along the route.

You might also like:

How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Use‌ ‌A ‌Better‌ ‌Route‌ ‌Planner‌ ABRP (With Illustrations) .

6 Must-Have EV Accessories (Best EV Accessories) .

ABRP VS PlugShare

The table below shows a comparison between ABRP and PlugShare

Related : ABRP Vs Plugshare: Which is The Best EV Trip Planner App?

In conclusion, apps are constantly being updated and new features are always coming out all the time. Therefore, be sure to always keep an eye on PlugShare and ABRP websites for future updates so you don’t miss out on any of them.

Hello there! My name is Rose. I’m passionate about electric cars and clean energy. My adventurous spirit and journalistic pursuits make each day fascinating and far greater. I consider traveling not just about the grandeur moments, but the little elements that transform the whole experience.

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Electric Vehicle Trip Planner

Easily find all the EV charging stations available along your route in North America.

To learn more about the different types of charging stations and how to charge before planning your trip, check out our guide on   ”How To Charge Your Electric Car With Charging Stations ” .

How To Use The EV Trip Planner?

To access the trip planner from the ChargeHub website, click on “Map”, in the top left corner of the navigation bar.

Once you are on the map page, you can open the trip planner panel by clicking the “Trip Planner” tab on the left side of the charging stations map page.

To enable the planner, click on the “OFF/ON” button so that it is "ON" . Note that at this point, you will have the option to select the unit of measurement by clicking on "KM" .

Once enabled the Trip Planner right sidebar will be displayed.

Enter Your Trip Details

Enter a “ Starting Point” and “ Destination” in the trip planner. It will suggest options based on what you input. Select the option you want, as shown in the following screenshot.

Now you have the option to choose how far away from your route you want the charging stations to be. Then click on "Find Routes". 

After clicking on “Find Routes” you will be asked to choose which route you prefer from the proposed routes as seen below, on the right panel of the Trip Planner :

Once you select a route, click on "Start Planning My Trip" and start adding charging stations to your itinerary, as explained in the following section "Add Charging Stops to your Itinerary".

Add Charging Stops to your Itinerary

At this point, you can add charging stations to your trip by zooming in on the map and clicking on map markers.

If you are planning to use the ChargeHub App to activate the station and pay , please make sure to select charging stations that have a golden thunderbolt in the center, as seen in the image below.

Only the charging stations that have a golden thunderbolt in the center are compatible with ChargeHub’s wallet app. You can pay for your charging sessions , across all available networks, at these charging stations, from within the app.

Once you have selected a charging station, all the information regarding the station will be displayed, on the right side of the screen.

Based on your EV and charging preferences, you can decide if the charging station meets your needs. If it does, add it to your trip by clicking "Add to trip".

NOTE: If you click on “See Complete Details” you will exit the trip planner and it will reset. In this case, you will need to start the whole Trip Planner process again from step one.

Once the charging station has been selected, it will be added to your trip as shown below.

If you need to add more charging stations, select and add as many as you need, by following the same process.

Save And Share Your EV Trip

Once you have finalized your itinerary you can: 

• Save your trip in your account for future reference
• Access your saved trips.

NOTE: To save and load a trip, you must be logged in to your  ChargeHub account.

Check out our other guides and resources on home charging

• A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Cars
• How to choose your charging station
• Top 9 most popular charging stations in 2024
• Incentives available in Canada for EV chargers
• Find the best EVSE solution according to your EV or PHEV

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Best EV Trip Planner Apps

Taking the anxiety out of a road trip with an ev route planner.

• 3/8/2024 (updated 4/2/2024 )

For most people, the best EV trip planner is likely already in your vehicle since the navigation systems on modern electric cars offer the ability to plan a route that factors in charger stops along the way. That's just one of several EV trip-planning options that can help map out your ideal road trip while assuaging potential range anxiety from an inconsistent charging infrastructure. Let's take a look at some of the best EV trip planners available, ranked in no particular order.

Factory navigation system

Google maps, a better route planner, ev navigation, am i ready for an ev.

• EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
• If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
• Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

Your first option is to use the built-in navigation that comes with your car. Most Tesla vehicles will insert recommended charging points along your route, taking a lot of the worry out of the experience. Teslas can also precondition your battery when you get close to a Supercharger station, which speeds up charging time and is better for the health of your EV's battery.

But not all vehicles come equipped with navigation systems, and the ones that do may not necessarily be your best option. Trying to map out your route ahead of time is more easily done on your phone or computer than by sitting in the driver's seat of your car. Luckily, you've got options.

You don't need to download a new app to get an EV-friendly route. Go to settings inside the Google Maps app, then select "Electric vehicle settings" and you'll have the option to select the compatible plugs for your electric vehicle. When you search "electric vehicle chargers," they will be filtered by the plug you selected in settings. This makes Google Maps handy for finding a charger you can actually use, but it cannot currently add charging stops to your route. It also can't tell you whether or not the charger is available, occupied, or in working order.

Google and Apple Maps are great for route planning on the go. But if you want to plan out your stops ahead of time, you may want to consider A Better Route Planner ( ABRP ). It's available on either your desktop computer or as an application for your smartphone. It allows you to provide information on your vehicle, including how full its charge is when you depart, and to filter out plug types based on your vehicle. ABRP offers a lot of information, including what it expects your vehicle's battery level will be when you arrive at your destination and how much energy you need to add at charging stops.

Unfortunately, ABRP can be a little clunky to use — especially on your phone. If user-friendliness is your top priority, you might want to consider using another application.

The EV Navigation planner is also available on your phone as an application and as a desktop site. It allows you to input the make and model of your vehicle, its battery level, the number of passengers in the vehicle, and the minimum state of charge you'd like your vehicle to have at your destination. Using those inputs gives you a route complete with charging stops. The app will provide estimates for how long you'll need to charge at each stop, what state of charge you should be charging to, and detailed information on the station. The app can be a little confusing and finicky for first-time users, and it's not great as a navigation app. However, it's a great tool for planning.

Edmunds says

The features and functionality of these EV trip planners can change over time, so make sure to try several of them to see which one works best for your needs.

Electric vehicle stories

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Plan the ultimate road trip in your electric vehicle using Chargeseeker.

Choose your starting point and destination and Chargeseeker will plan your route, including recommended stops at EV charging stations plus nearby points of interest, such as: Cafés, Restaurants, Shopping, Pharmacies, Accommodations, Attractions, Outdoor Activities

Screenshots

Enjoy a cup of coffee, explore local shops, parks and attractions or grab a bite to eat while your vehicle charges nearby. Customizable filters and preferences ensure that each route is tailored to your needs.

Featuring EV stations from major EV charging networks, Chargeseeker allows users to filter by connection type, including:

Tesla Supercharger

J-1722 (type 1).

Plan longer electric journeys

Use our EV route planner to see where to stop on longer routes, what's available in those areas, and how long you’ll need to charge.

Find the best route for your car

With our ev route planner.

Zapmap’s route planner provides peace of mind and the confidence to drive any length of journey in your EV. With access to the widest choice of charging options and real-time availability status, our route planner helps you plot a journey that’s tailored to your needs, whether it’s a family adventure or a solo mission.

EV route planning

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Zapmap Premium

With a number of ways to quickly locate charge points tailored to your needs, Zapmap Premium helps you drive smarter. On top of filters for new charge points and multi-charger locations, Premium gets Zapmap into your in-car dashboard via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can locate suitable charge points, view live charge point status and access route plans - all while on the move. What's more, with Premium you can save unlimited filters, route plans and EV models.

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Plan your journey by electric car

The Chargemap route planner is here to help you plan the ideal trip that corresponds to your EV and preferences.

Download the Chargemap app for free on your mobile phone

Scores based on more than 45,000 ratings.

Hit the road in all peace of mind , Chargemap takes care of everything.

Indicate your departure point and destination, the battery level at the start of the journey and the level you want at the end of it, plus any midway stages.

Enter the EV you are taking on the journey.

Prioritise or limit a charging network, avoid tolls and motorways or log in a maximum speed to save on energy. The planner takes your charging preferences on board.

Chargemap automatically calculates your route and selects the charging stations that match up with the information you have logged in. You can also visualise your route directly: distance, overall travel time and the necessary charging stop(s) along the way.

Calculate your journey and come back to it whenever you want. Save time with the Save option for the route you have selected.

Access information about the charging station on the details screen and launch the navigation tool for your next charging stop on your favourite GPS app.

Where are you going?

What car model do you drive, you want to prioritise a charging network on your journey, enjoy the optimum route adapted to your needs, save your route, you're on your way.

Consult the charging stations in the vicinity

You want to see all the charging stations available along your route? Tap on the “Stations” button to find all the charging stations available in your vicinity.

Fine-tune your search for alternative stations

You want to take a charging break near a restaurant or go for a pub lunch? Click on the “Stations” icon then on the “Filter” cursor to fine-tune your charging preferences on your personalised route.

Adapt the Chargemap route to your needs and wishes.

You want to stay a little longer at a charging stop or set off again with a specific battery level.

When you reach a specific point along your way, you want to stop for longer to have a lunch break or take a stroll in the surrounding area. You can modify either the duration of your break, or the battery level you want before resuming your journey.

You need to charge near a specific location?

You want to profit from a charging stop to do a bit of sightseeing or go and see friends and family and so you are looking for a charging station in the vicinity. The route planner allows you to select an alternative charging station along the way.

Want to stop at a different charging station than the one selected?

With Chargemap, plan your ideal route by selecting the charging stations of your favourite networks. The tool automatically calculates a new route based on your preferences.

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The leading community of EV drivers in Europe is at your fingertips.

pierre-piet

"So helpful!"

"Chargemap is undeniably THE app to have when you drive an EV. It’s accurate and stuffed full of information. It really is the go-to app so you’re never left by the wayside! And all for free!"

Michel Barré

"Great app"

"Oh, so practical!"

"Practical"

"Crucial for every journey!"

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"A must-have"

"One of the best apps when travelling by EV. For me, it’s the main app I use when driving long distances."

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The Best 6 Apps for EV Route Planning

Planning a trip in your EV? Don't go without downloading one of these EV route planning apps.

If you're on a road trip in the US, you have access to over 100,000 gas stations across the country. That's more than double the number of public charging stations where you can charge an EV.

Because charging an EV takes longer than filling up a combustion car, you should know exactly where to find EV chargers along your route. For that, you need to use apps on your smartphone, so here are the best apps for EV route planning.

1. Tesla App

According to Statista , Tesla is the most popular EV brand in the world. If you drive a Tesla, you would be better suited to use its app for route planning because it grants you access to over 35,000 Superchargers across the country—this is the biggest EV charging network in North America.

Owners of non-Tesla EVs with the CCS charging connector can also use the Tesla app to access Tesla Magic Dock Superchargers, which you can find in a handful of locations in North America. Brands like Ford, Rivian, Polestar, Volvo, and GM announced their EVs will access the Tesla Supercharger network by early 2024, and they will be equipped with NACS ports and adapters. This means that if you’re driving a non-Tesla EV, you will have the privilege of having native access to Tesla Supercharger stations in North America.

But if you're driving a Tesla, you have the privilege to request roadside assistance and schedule service maintenance through the app. Another cool feature is being able to track your vehicle's location on your phone. If you're not a Tesla driver, you could use other apps to track your car .

Download: Tesla for Android | iOS (Free)

2. EV Hotels

If you want to sleep in a hotel and charge your vehicle overnight, the EV Hotels app can make it easier for you. Its map displays hotels that offer EV charging stations along your route. It also lets you know which levels of chargers are available in the hotels: standard, fast, or Superchargers.

If you can't find a hotel with EV chargers along your route, the app will recommend amenities with ample parking and chargers nearby. Subscribed members can reserve a hotel room and charging spot in advance and garner reward points in their favorite hotel brands across the country.

Download: EVHotels for iOS ($2.99)

3. A Better Route Planner

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is available on the Google Play Store and App Store; you can also install it on your car's dashboard screen web browser. Unlike Tesla's app, which is limited to its Supercharger network, A Better Route Planner covers all the public EV chargers on your route. Better yet, you can connect it to your Tesla account to share your driving data to help improve accuracy.

If you're not driving a Tesla, you can include your car model details on the app to calculate your range, charging time, and energy consumption. Beyond that, the ABRP app also tells you the road conditions, wind, temperature, weather, and routes to avoid—basically, everything you need to know to plan your trip without any hiccups.

Download: A Better Route Planner for Android | iOS (Free)

4. PlugShare

PlugShare is one of the most popular EV route-planning apps. What makes it unique is that it doesn't require you to register an account to find nearby public EV chargers. However, if you set up an account, you can include your EV car model to predict your range and charging time accurately. The app will also tell you the compatible plugs for your EV at each charging station.

What's more, you can use the app to find locations with amenities lodging, dining, Wi-Fi, restrooms, valet parking, and shopping. The best part is that the PlugShare app is free and covers almost all countries worldwide.

One downside is that the Plugshare app doesn't automatically let you know which chargers are occupied. You have to manually check which charging stalls are free every time you’re approaching a charging stop.

Download: PlugShare app for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Charge Point

If you hate driving to a station and finding a charger you thought was available is occupied, the ChargePoint app can solve that problem. If a charging station is busy, the app will notify you using a blue pin, and if a charger is available, you will see a location with a green pin on the app.

Before using a charging station, you can use the app to calculate how much you will spend to top up your EV. It also lets you know the charging status of your EV and the estimated charging time.

Besides that, you can use the ChargePoint app to access over 31,000 charging points in North America, including chargers located around major US university campuses . This makes it the second-largest EV charging network provider in the U.S. after Tesla. You can charge any EV brand at ChargePoint stations, and the service provider is also adopting Tesla’s NACS connectors.

We also like that ChargePoint has partnered with hotels and convenience stores to offer exclusive discounts to its app customers. Better yet, you can integrate this app into your home charger so that you can monitor your EV anytime you want—but you first need to make your home EV ready .

Download: ChargePoint app for Android | iOS (Free)

6. Google Maps

Even though you can't use Google Maps to estimate the range of your electric vehicle, it can tell you the speed and type of port supported by nearby charging stations. If you're living in the US or UK, Google Maps will provide real-time data on available charging stations, so you don't have to line up.

But what gives Google Maps an advantage over other apps for EV routing is that it can show all the amenities along your route—from garages, restaurants, and hotels to convenience stores. In addition to that, you can activate Google Assistant Driving Mode by using Google Maps.

Download: Google Maps for Android | iOS (Free)

Find the Best EV Route Planning Apps for You

If you're planning a trip in your EV, it's best to use several of these planning apps simultaneously. Yes, you read that right. For instance, if you want to find the most convenient hotels for charging EVs, your best options would be Google Maps and EV Hotels.

But if you want a route planner that can accurately tell you everything about your EV battery's status, you should consider A Better Route Planner and the Tesla app.

Similarly, the PlugShare app has one of the largest databases of public EV chargers in the world, and the Charge Point app will tell you if a charging station is busy. It's up to you to find the most suitable app for your EV route planning.

The ultimate guide to road tripping with an electric car

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

The past couple of years have changed the travel world in many ways, but two things stand out to me: road trips and electric cars.

Early in the pandemic, we saw road trips take the spotlight during a coronavirus-fueled dip in air travel. Even after vaccines helped air travel rebound, many travelers still prefer to take the great American road trip when visiting national parks , cities and everywhere in between.

At the same time, more and more drivers are switching to electric cars, with adoption steadily rising both in the U.S. and abroad. This has become more prevalent as gas prices continue to rise due to world conflict and supply chain issues, and even rental car companies have begun to add EVs to their fleets.

Related: 5 lessons learned from taking a road trip in the age of coronavirus

After a summer of rental car road trips, I purchased a used 2016 BMW i3 in August 2020. It's a range-extended electric compact car, meaning that it also has a small gas motor that can charge the battery on the go. This, combined with the car being a hatchback, makes it — in my opinion — the ultimate road trip vehicle for those living in a major city like New York .

Since buying the i3, I've taken it on a couple of short trips. It's a different experience than road tripping with a gas car, and newcomers to the electric car world might be deterred if they don't know what to expect.

In this article, I'll share some tips I've picked up while on the road with my EV. I'll discuss everything from what to look for when buying an EV for road trips to how to find charging stations. I'll also share some trip-planning tips.

Let's dive (drive?) in!

For more curated TPG travel tips and recommendations delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter .

Choosing an electric car for road trips

There are some important considerations if you're in the market for an electric car and plan on road tripping it. Here are some elements to examine as you go through the car buying process, such as car range and whether or not you should purchase a plug-in hybrid.

Related: Should I buy a used car instead of renting this summer?

Criteria for a road-trip capable electric car

It's important to look for a car that has appropriate range for the trips you plan to take. So, don't buy a car with an 80-mile range if you plan to take 500+ mile road trips regularly. That said, you don't need an ultra-long-range electric car for these trips. Something like the BMW i3 94ah has a 153-mile range which — if you don't mind making a few stops — can be a good bet for longer trips.

Consider a long-range Tesla or a Chevrolet Bolt if you want to avoid frequent charges. These cars have well over 200 miles of electric range. This means you're subject to less charging stops, but you'll generally spend more on the car. This is especially true on the used market where long-range cars tend to have a higher resale value.

In my opinion, road trippers should avoid cars like the Fiat 500e and the electric Mercedes-Benz B-Class. These cars have sub-100-mile electric range and don't offer a range extender option. That means you'll have to charge frequently on long trips. Further, these cars may not be able to handle longer trips that don't have chargers en route.

Related: The pros and cons of Amex's Auto Purchasing Program

Consider a plug-in hybrid or range-extended vehicle

Further, you may want to consider an electric car that's not fully electric. You have two options here: plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles. The former are essentially standard hybrid vehicles with larger batteries that can be charged externally. These cars generally have 15 to 50 miles of electric range and full-size gas tanks.

That said, these vehicles don't have a fully electric driving experience and don't generally offer fast charging options (more on that soon). I find these cars less fun to drive and — if you want to drive in electric mode — considerably more inconvenient to charge. At the same time, they can make great road-trip vehicles with a gas engine.

On the other hand, range-extended electric cars are fully electric vehicles with a small gas motor. This motor effectively charges the car's battery to provide additional range when driving long distances. My BMW i3 is equipped with the range extender option, and it's saved me on longer trips where I find myself far away from a public charger.

I prefer range-extended cars to plug-in hybrids since you always have the electric driving experience (think: immediate torque). Plus, these cars are usually equipped with fast charging and other EV-specific technology features.

Related: The best credit cards for purchasing a car

DC fast charging is key for a sane road trip

Here's a big one: only purchase a car with included DC fast charging if you plan on road tripping. More and more fast chargers are popping up around the country which can charge a vehicle — as in the case of the BMW i3 — to 80% in just 45 minutes. This is possible as fast chargers — commonly called Level 3 chargers — provide up to 250kW+ per hour.

On the other hand, a vehicle without this option can only use Level 2 public chargers, which charge at around 11kW per hour. This is still faster than plugging in at home but will take a ton of extra time to charge when on the go. Going back to the i3 example, it takes around three hours to charge from 0% to 80%.

This option is even more important when on long road trips. If you have to wait hours every time your vehicle runs low on battery, it will take you quite a long time to get to your destination. On the other hand, a 45-minute stop is enough time to grab lunch and set navigation to your next charge point or final destination.

Thankfully, almost all new fully electric vehicles and range-extended cars are equipped with fast charging. Some older electric cars don't have this option, though, so make sure to inquire about it before you go for a test drive. Some cars that aren't equipped with this feature include some 2014 and 2015 BMW i3s, all models of the Fiat 500e and some older Nissan Leafs.

Check battery degradation when buying a used car

Plan on buying used? Make sure to check the car's battery status before you buy. Like all batteries, the battery inside of an electric car will degrade over time. This is normal, but excessive degradation can make your road trip life difficult. You can usually check battery status on the car's infotainment system.

Thankfully, most electric cars have long battery warranties. For example, my used BMW i3 has a 100,000 mile/eight-year warranty on the battery, meaning I'm covered through 2024 on my 2016 model. According to BMW, a battery replacement can be authorized if a battery degrades 30% or more during the warranty period.

How to plan a road trip with an electric car

As discussed, road tripping with an electric car is different than with a gas car. It requires a bit more planning for pure electric vehicles which — while tedious — isn't too bad once you get the hang of it. Let's take a look at how I plan road trips in my electric car.

Plan your route around fast chargers and be mindful of range

First things first: You'll need to charge when out on the road, so you must plan your driving route around available public chargers located near highways, expressways or wherever else you're driving. You'll need to charge before your battery dies to avoid calling roadside assistance , but there's a bit more to it than this.

Unfortunately, electric car range is dynamic. You'll use more battery when accelerating quickly, going up hills and when using climate control. Always give yourself at least a 10% buffer when looking for chargers. This means that if you have a car with a 100-mile range, plan chargers that are no more than 90 miles apart.

Additionally, try and stick to fast chargers when you're on the road. This ensures that you're not stuck at a given charger for hours while waiting for your car to charge. Instead, you can plug in for 30 to 40 minutes and you're back on the road without issue.

You can plan your trips manually or use an app like PlugShare. I'll go in-depth on this app in the next section, but in short, it's a crowdsourced directory of all chargers available near your location. The app's built-in route planner can be a huge timesaver when mapping out long, multi-charge road trips.

Look for hotels with chargers

Another way to save time on charging is by staying at hotels that offer electric car charging in their parking lots or garages. These are becoming more and more common, and oftentimes charging is either free or included with the parking fee. These are generally Level 2 chargers, though, so they're best suited for charging overnight.

No charging at your hotel? Ask the hotel staff if they have an outdoor plug you can use. Most electric vehicles include a Level 1 wall charger that can be used with any standard wall socket. If the hotel is OK with it, this charger will slowly charge your vehicle overnight and give you at least enough power to make it to your next destination.

Related: 7 mistakes every road tripper makes at least once

Use these apps and charging networks to find public chargers

Now that you know how to plan a trip, let's take a look at the best way to find public chargers. As mentioned in the last section, several charging networks exist nationwide in the U.S. Some of these include ChargePoint and Electrify America. That said, there are many non-networked public chargers that you can find in parking garages and on city streets.

Here's a look at the apps and charging networks I use on electric car road trips. Before you head out on your first electric road trip, make sure to download these.

PlugShare for most public chargers

PlugShare is a community-powered electric charger app. You can use this app to view networked, non-networked and home chargers that are open to the public. Even better, you can sort chargers by speed, connector type and cost. This can be immensely helpful when trying to find a fast charger on a long trip.

Further, the app has a trip-planning feature that will help you find electric car charge points along a given route. Just enter your origin and destination and the app will show you all the chargers nearby. You can even input your car's range to plan your route around charging stops.

Tesla owners are also in luck with the ChargePoint app. It shows all Tesla Destination Chargers, SuperChargers and other compatible chargers on the map. Just toggle on the Tesla connector in the app and locations will appear on the map.

ChargePoint has chargers around the US

ChargePoint is one of the biggest electric car charging networks in the U.S., offering both Level 2 and Level 3 chargers in major cities and along some major highways. Many ChargePoint locations will show on the PlugShare app, but I recommend downloading both apps, as PlugShare will often miss specific chargers. Also, you can use the ChargePoint app to pay for charging at several charging locations.

One word of caution: The ChargePoint app sometimes shows chargers that aren't available for public use. This is especially the case here in New York where many city vehicles have transitioned to plug-in hybrids or full electric vehicles. Keep an eye out for this when looking for places to charge.

Electrify America for DC fast chargers near highways

In the Northeast, I almost exclusively use Electrify America chargers on road trips. The company has a huge network of fast chargers located both within cities and near major highways, usually located at Walmarts, Targets and other shopping centers. Pricing is pretty reasonable, too — it varies based on how fast you're able to charge and you can get a discount by signing up for a membership ($4 per month).

Using these chargers is remarkably simple. Just drive up, plug in your car and select the charger you're using on the Electrify America app to start charging. The charge fee is billed to your credit card after you're finished charging.

One downside to Electrify America, however, is that its stations can be unreliable. On a recent drive from Philadelphia to New York, I stopped at a charger only to find three of the four available chargers were out of service. The fourth charger was in use, so I called tech support who offered me a free fill-up at a nearby charger.

Earn bonus miles on electric car charging

Since you'll usually pay for charging when on the road, why not earn miles in the process? Most chargers do not code as travel, so you'll want to use a credit card that earns extra points on general spending . There's a variety of these cards on the market, and some of our favorites include:

• The Blue Business®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express (2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar, giving you a 4% return based on TPG's valuation )
• Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% cash back/1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for a 3% return based on TPG's valuation )
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (2 miles per dollar on purchases, giving you a 2.8% return based on TPG's valuations )

If you're completing a credit card spending requirement , you may want to use it to pay for your charging. For example, I use my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for charging so I can earn bonus Medallion Qualifying Miles to qualify for Delta elite status .

Related: Maximizing points and miles on summer road trips

Bottom line

Road tripping in an electric car is different from a road trip in a gasoline car, but it's still fun. In fact, I've often found that road trips are more enjoyable in my EV as I see new places I otherwise wouldn't. On top of this, money saved on gas can be used to stay in better hotels and eat at nicer restaurants. Sounds like a win-win to me.

I think the biggest takeaway is to always be mindful of your range. Planning your route along charge points and stopping to charge before you need to charge is key to an enjoyable and stress-free trip. If this isn't for you, consider a range-extended electric car or a plug-in hybrid for more flexibility.

Drive safe!

Feature photo by Andrew Kunesh/The Points Guy.

Can you do the all-American road trip in an electric car? Expert tips for planning your route

Jul 22, 2022 • 10 min read

Are US roads ready for electric cars? © miroslav_1 / Getty Images

Gas guzzlers beware: electric cars are catching on quicker than the Electric Slide at a sweet sixteen, and it's only a matter of time before an American shift toward sustainability convinces drivers to fall in line.

In the past year, President Joe Biden pledged to replace the federal government's fleet of roughly 650,000 cars with electric vehicles (EVs) and introduce 500,000 new charging stations within a decade . Automotive heavyweights from Ford to Volkswagen announced similar plans, promising to invest billions in developing EVs and their related infrastructure. 

The timing couldn't be better – as gas prices soar and concerns over climate change reach a fiery crescendo, interest in EVs is hitting all-time highs. In 2021, EV sales in the US more than doubled the previous year, with 608,000 new cars hitting the highway. In March, Google searches for electric vehicles reached their highest point in history, and this year, research company S&P Global expects EV sales to reach nearly 900,000. 

By 2030, Americans will purchase an estimated 4.7 million EVs – a trend supported by local governments. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia currently provide incentives like tax cuts and rebates for EVs or plug-in hybrid vehicles, further fueling the race toward an electric future.

But if the future is electric, what does that mean for one of the country's time-honored traditions – the gas-powered road trip? 

Plan a drive on America's most iconic road trips

The all-American road trip

Road trips are a cornerstone of US culture, immortalized in so many novels, films and songs they've inspired a genre all their own. The tales may range from Jack Kerouac's poetic musings to Thelma and Louise's feminist quest, but they're connected by an ingredient more American than Huckleberry Finn – the search for freedom. 

Finding freedom on the open road hasn't always been easy. Victor Hugo Green's Negro Motorist Greenbook attempted to help Black travelers navigate racist roadways in Jim Crow-era America, while early iterations of Bob Damron's travel guides gave gay men a map to hidden communities in unlikely places. This ongoing desire to navigate America's highways – sometimes despite the dangers of driving as a minority – expresses a universal craving for liberation through travel.

For the past century, gas-powered cars have been the means for finding open-road liberation. Travelers can hop into internal combustion vehicles without worrying where or when they'll refuel next. Unless you're traveling the lonely 167-mile stretch from Ely to Tonopah, Nevada, the ubiquity of gas stations is par for the course in the United States. But as gas prices increase, so does the price tag on this kind of freedom. 

The same rules don't apply while traveling in electric cars. Although fuel prices are cheaper (roughly 60% less than gas-powered cars, according to a 2020 Consumer Reports study ), refueling is more complicated. This reality leads to range anxiety: the fear that an EV will run out of power before reaching its destination or a place to recharge. 

10 of the most scenic drives in the USA

Driving an electric car (EV) in the US and managing range anxiety

For EV users who stay close to home or live in parts of the country with sufficient charging stations, range anxiety poses little threat. "The vast majority of electric vehicles are on the West Coast: LA, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle," says Greg Brannon, AAA's Director of Automotive Engineering , "and the charging infrastructure is heavily focused there." This makes West Coast-area road trips to parks like Yosemite , Joshua Tree  and Mt. Hood National Forest all EV-viable excursions. 

But not all excursions are so easy. In 2019, Wade Anderson took a 19,000-mile road trip around North America in a Tesla Model 3 (which he documented on YouTube ) and experienced this fear firsthand. While driving through the Yukon Territory and Alaska , he barely reached a maintenance camp. "My battery had 0% charge as I rolled in there," he recalls. "I used RV parks to plug in, which are very slow-charging, and a typical one-day journey ended up taking three days." 

The north midwest proved similarly treacherous for EV travel, and Wade once found himself stuck at a desolate campground in rural Montana while waiting for his car to recharge. 

But range anxiety isn't something he often experiences while traveling, and soon, "these minor inconveniences will be a thing of the past," he muses. 

Quick recharging stations across the country are expanding rapidly

Since Wade's road trip, companies like EVGo, Tesla and Electrify America have worked at breakneck speed to meet the country's growing demand for charging stations. From 2020 to 2021, the number of DC fast chargers (the gold standard for quick recharging) increased by 24%, indicating that today's EV issues will soon become tomorrow's old news. 

"Electrify America built its first charging station in May of 2018," says Anthony Lambkin, the company’s Senior Director of Operations. "In just four short years, we have expanded to 800 charging stations comprised of about 3500 individual chargers open or with construction completed."

Part of the company's current infrastructure includes two cross-country routes – LA to DC and Jacksonville to San Diego – and two coastal routes connecting California to Washington and Florida to Maine . By 2026, the company expects to have over 1800 charging stations with over 10,000 chargers in the US and Canada, spanning 49 states and the District of Columbia.

With the growing number of chargers, range anxiety is something Anthony rarely experiences. On a recent trip from Washington, DC to Cleveland, Ohio , he stopped three times to charge at Electrify America stations and didn't need to stay longer than 20 minutes per stop using a 150KW charger.

"The ability to charge quickly is a game-changer for road trips and makes the experience seamless," he says. "The only downside was that 20 minutes was not enough at some stops for my kids."

A coast-to-coast US road trip in an electric car is now easier than ever

Top tips and advice for EV road trippers in 2022

Even with increasingly excellent EV infrastructure, touring the country Tesla-style provides a set of unique challenges for drivers new to the electric life. Here are the top things road trippers should consider before shifting into high gear. 

​​Find the proper car for a long-distance road trip

For road trips spanning hundreds of miles, rent or buy a car supporting long-range travel. Vehicles with over 200 miles of electric range – including many Teslas models, the Chevrolet Bolt and the Ford Mustang Mach-E – will help drivers avoid frequent charging stops. 

"With the early EVs I've owned, the limited sub-100 mile range certainly required some trip planning," says Anthony. Travelers in cars like the Mazda MX-30, which has an estimated range of 100 miles, will spend more time looking for chargers than enjoying the actual adventure.

It's also helpful to use a car that supports DC fast charging (also known as level 3 charging). While DC chargers can replenish a battery in 15-45 minutes, more commonly found level 2 chargers may require 3-5 hours. 

6 secret American road trips to add to your bucket list

Make charging part of your itinerary

Even when high-speed chargers are available on a given route, Brannon advises travelers to schedule bio breaks or meals around charging stations. "Plan to be there for a minimum of an hour, and in some cases, a few hours," he says. Drivers can find many fast chargers in shopping centers, and if you get creative, it's possible to find them within walking distance to museums and other points of interest. Choosing hotels, homestays or RV parks with EV outlets is another necessary way to charge without wasting travel time. 

The Grand Circle is the ultimate US Southwest road trip

Download apps to find charging stations

When mapping out charging stations, Wade relies on A Better Route Planner – an app that helps drivers estimate where and when they'll need to recharge based on their destination and car type. 

PlugShare , a free community-fueled app that allows users to find charging stations and leave reviews, is another helpful tool. Use this in conjunction with ChargePoint , one of the country's largest networks of charging stations, to find locations that don't always appear on Plugshare.

How to road trip through the Midwest US on a budget

Prepare an alternate charging plan

EV drivers should know that recharging "is not like going to the gas station," says Bannon. While charging stations are increasingly more common, they're not ubiquitous and a charging site that looks available on an app might be incompatible with your car, out of service or in use upon arrival. A recent study conducted by the Bay Area-based group Cool The Earth found that roughly one-quarter of all charging stations were inoperable when visited.

Brannon suggests drivers "plan a route, know where the charging locations are, and have a plan b and a plan c for those locations." Wade Anderson suggests bringing plenty of adapters to plug into as many outlet types as possible. 

Rockies roads: the most thrilling drives in Colorado

Think about the elements that affect an electric car's range

While the average range for an electric car is currently around 250 miles, "research shows that range is reduced by almost 40% at cold temperatures," says Brannon. That can make a winter sojourn through places like Badlands National Park , South Dakota – a state where chargers can be over one-hundred miles apart – a questionable prospect. 

Cold isn't the only element that changes a battery's capacity – wind, speed, air conditioning and heat can also deplete power. Consider how the time of year, location and weather will change your EV's range while planning when to recharge. 

Top 10 wonders to see in US National Parks in 2022

Choose a trip with a successful EV track record 

Intrepid EV travelers like Wade wrote the rulebook on electric car road trips so you don't have to. Going on excursions that don't support charging isn't worth the range anxiety, so pick a route you know you can enjoy. 

The Pacific Coast Highway – arguably the country's most scenic drive – is also one of the country's most EV-friendly roadways. Take the eight-state trek along America's 'Mother Road,' Route 66 and you'll find over 1800 charging stations. Thanks to Electrify America, a series of charging stations along Interstate 95 makes it possible to ride from Maine to Miami on electric power alone. While you may have to forgo the pleasures of improvised detours to towns off the well-trod path, you won't have to spend time hunting for a charge. 

How to get around in the USA depending on your time and budget

Look to the EV community for support 

When it comes to recharging, Wade isn't only looking for electricity – he's sometimes searching for personal connection. Through Plugshare, Wade finds charging locations at non-obvious locations like hospitals, libraries and even the homes of fellow app users. "It's a very supportive network," he says. "Most of us are concerned about the environment and climate change, and that pulls people together."

Wade also belongs to the Facebook group Tesla Road Trippers , which offers travel advice to newbies and encourages EV owners to share up-to-date information on their latest vacations. Users who post itineraries often receive valuable feedback from seasoned members.

'We visited 48 US states in a camper van' - here's our 10 top states

Consider the environmental impact 

With the necessity for so much planning, it may seem like EVs destroy the freedom synonymous with the all-American road trip. But on the contrary, this trending form of travel makes modern pioneers out of early adopters.

According to researchers from the universities of Cambridge, Exeter and Nijmegen, driving an EV is better for the environment than driving a gas-powered car in 95% of the world. Most electric vehicles made today produce far fewer planet-warming emissions than internal combustion engines, and while there's plenty of work needed to regulate the making and recycling of batteries, EVs are still a noble step toward environmental preservation. 

The EV road trip is like manifest destiny for a green generation. It's an entirely new take on a classic American adventure, and if embraced by enough drivers, it could protect the country's wonders for future generations. 

10 least-visited US national parks: the best to avoid crowds in 2022

This article was first published Mar 26, 2021 and updated Jul 22, 2022.

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On test: The eight best EV route planner apps

• Jun 20, 2023

If you’re heading across the country in your EV this summer, an EV route planner app will help you plan charging stops along your route . With so many different journey planning tools available for electric car drivers, which is the best? Back in 2022 we did some of the work for you, testing the top apps and tools – and now we’ve done it all again a year later to keep you up-to-date this summer holiday season.

How do I plan a trip with my electric car?

A journey in your EV should be effortless, and the farm shops and other places you may stop add a bit more colour to your journey than a motorway service station. To go back to basics, when we talk about ‘planning’ we mean the following actions:

• Before starting a long trip, charge your EV to 100% at home.
• Download and sign in to at least one EV navigation app.
• Look for charging stations along the route in advance.
• Be realistic about how much time you need to add for charging.
• Pack your cable so that you can charge slowly while you are enjoying time away

What should I look for in an EV route planner?

A good EV planner should plan your route around charging stops with your EV in mind . That means knowing how long your EV can go before needing another charge. Some apps also factor in the terrain (hills) and the weight of passengers and luggage in your car.

EV planners should also help when plans change – with a good map that shows all the charge points around and checks that they are available.

Some EV planning apps also take the headache out of paying for your charging. Zap Map have a Zap Pay, and Octoverse lets you charge your charging to your home energy bill.

Our three golden rules for charging on EV road trips:

1. Stop rapid charging when you get to 80% (any more takes much longer); 2. Plan to stop driving at 20% (better for both battery and peace of mind); 3. Stick to the best networks. Our top picks are: Instavolt, Osprey, MFG and Gridserve.

The top EV route planners put to the test

The good news is that road trips in an electric car are getting easier and easier, with faster chargers – and more of them – dotted everywhere. But, although there are more chargers and they are more reliable, there are also more EVs on the road, so you are still better off doing a little planning before you set off on a long trip. Here are the top eight ev route planning apps we tested:

Zap-Map ABRP (A Better Route Planner) Watts Up Google Maps Plugshare EV Navigation Octopus Electroverse Bonnet

For each app we asked it to plan a 250-mile route from Aberystwyth, Wales to Essex in a VW ID.3. Scroll down to find out which of these we’ll be reaching for on our own road-trips, and which name left us wanting…

Zap-Map is the most well-known of route planners for EV drivers. It launched way back in 2014, and today the majority of UK EV drivers have it installed on their phones. Zap-Map has almost all public charge points mapped and around 70% showing live status data, so you can tell if a charger is in use.

Key features include search, filters, list of nearby chargers, detailed info on each charging point, Zap-Chat community feature and a smart route-planner.

There’s a free version, that allows you to do basically everything you may need. Zap Map ‘map’ has a bewildering number of pins because it shows all the available chargers, even the slowest 3kW chargers. You can filter these out to show only rapids. It shows you the cost and the availability (according to the charger itself) plus the hours or days since the last charge. Users often report chargers that are out of action. This gives you an idea of how reliable and/or busy the charger is.

The plus and premium version cost £29.99 and £47.99 per year, and give you a few extra features, like What3words navigation, enhanced filters and charger ratings to help you avoid the less reliable chargers. You have to pay for premium to get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay display in your car screen.

In-car display is a great feature, allowing you to see the details of each charge point including live charge point status data (where available) and the latest EV driver chats.The only downside is that if you are used to getting live traffic updates using Google Maps, you won’t get these when you’ve got Zap-Map plugged into your car.

Networks with live data on Zap-Map are indicated with an icon on their respective logos. Updated every five minutes, live data shows a blue marker around charge point icons when it is in use. Networks include: Instavolt, Osprey, Gridserve, MFG, BP Pulse, ESB, GeniePoint, Fastned, Ionity, Tesla, Shell, ChargePlace Scotland,

✔ Community chat is well used so you can see if a charger has had issues recently ✘  Charger colours aren’t particularly user-friendly (note: we found out how to get a handy symbols key in the app)

Sign up for the Zap-Map newsletter to get the latest on Zap-Map and charging news.

2. ABRP (A Better Route Planner)

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is an app that guides you through the quickest way to arrive at your destination. It’s a website and an app for both Android and iOS devices.

A Better Route Planner is a smart, fun, and easy-to-use itinerary maker that lets you plot out routes in the most efficient way possible.

A Better Route Planner focuses on route planning and navigation specifically for electric vehicles. You have to simply select your vehicle model, enter your destination, and hit the big blue plan button to get a full planned route, including charging stations and trip duration.

It has a very simple interface. But change mode and you can see the hills on the route where you could use the most energy. Users say the results are very accurate, taking into account temperature and road conditions. Tesla drivers even prefer it to the Tesla Planner as it favours more charges within the efficient ‘fast’ charging zone of your battery than the Tesla app.

The free version allows you to share to Google Maps to get live traffic updates. The premium version has traffic built-in.

✔ Accurate predictions on range

✔ Shows you all the food options near your charger ✘  Live data on top charger networks only

Got the right energy tariff for your home charging?

EV tariff checker

3. Watts Up

Wattup shows live status for top networks – Instavolt, Osprey, and Gridserve and now live, as are smaller networks ChargePlaceScotland, ForEv.

Nearby public chargepoints are shown within the free CarPlay interface, this shows location, distance, power rating and live availability. And you can ‘favourite’ the chargers you like for quick reference.

We tried to upgrade to a trial version of ‘Discovery mode’ (cost £1 through Google Playstore), but it never worked and was impossible to cancel from the app itself, so we can’t even report on the benefits of that.

✔ Seeing the logo of the charge operator on the map makes it easy to weigh up best operator against best location (see our top network tips above)

✘ Not on your laptop or tablet, it’s only an app on your phone

4. Google Maps

You can actually get some helpful information from Google Maps as an electric car driver, but it is buried deep within the mapping interface. What we trust Google to do is show us the best route and to reroute us based on what’s happening with traffic, so it’s worth including Google in this list of EV route planners. We expect that Google are working on making it better for predictions.

On a desktop computer, All you have to do is plug in your journey details, tap the option for ‘search along route’, and then search for ‘EV charging stations’. Then Google Maps will present you with all the stations along your route, with details about the type of chargers available. On your phone, tap the three dots on the top right and then ‘Search along route’. You still have to type ‘EV charging’, but then you’ll see all the chargers on your route and can add a stop.

The problem comes if you get rerouted because Google finds a quicker route. Google will think you still need to stop at that charger.

✔ Live traffic on your route

✘ No help choosing chargers

Explore all electric cars

Find your next EV

5. PlugShare

This app is most like Zap-Map, but it seems like it’s aimed at a US driver. With brown and green pins that look like petrol pumps, it’s looks are not inspiring. The PlugShare app can be used to plan a trips in a specific vehicle and shows you a map. It doesn’t show how elevation affects your range, just shows you the likely max range with a big green circle on the map – and that is either very conservative or hasn’t noticed what car we selected. You can filter by reviews, so you can see only the best chargers in other drivers’ opinions.

We were expecting great things from PlugShare, but in fact were really disappointed. For example, it showed us Tesla chargers for our ID.3 (not the one’s just opened up to other users) and it didn’t seem easy to filter away slower chargers.

✔ Easy to filter chargers by user ratings (this is Premium feature in Zap-Map) ✘  No option to share route to Google for real-time navigation from the app. And it let us choose chargers ‘along the route’, so we accidentally picked a Northbound charger on a Southbound journey!

6. EV Navigation

Back to the geeky end of route planning, EV Navigation , is a comprehensive solution for predicting the discharge rate of the battery with precision but it also manages to look simple. It calculates routes and takes the charging times into consideration. You can tell it how many people you have in the car and how you are likely to drive (sport, normal or eco), even the pressure in your tyres.

This gives EV drivers the ability to optimise their drive time and spend the least amount of time necessary waiting at charging stations. If you don’t like the look for the charging stop they suggest, it’s very hard to find alternatives.

✔ Great to see the impact of passengers and driving style, etc.

✘ Not very interactive if you don’t want to use the charger selected

7. Octopus Electroverse

Even if you aren’t an Octopus customer, you can join the Electroverse charging network. Sign up and they send you a card so you can pay for charging through your home energy bill or on a registered card. On some networks there is a discount for using chargers off-peak – Osprey will give you 20% off for charging after 7pm.

We like the fact that the map shows you rapid chargers (namely Instavolt and Gridserve) that aren’t on the network. Better still, the Electroverse card works across Europe, where an RFID card or app are still vital, as contactless payments are less common.

Share £10 when you join Electroverse

Get £5 credit

On our latest review, the route planner now works from the app. The planner was made more difficult as autocomplete seemed to suggest lots of places in the USA with similar names. The route suggested was sensible, and you can send the route to Google Maps on your phone to get live traffic updates.

The map shows you all the networks in any spot, including those who haven’t partnered – of which the big names missing from their payments system are Instavolt and Gridserve. You’ll get a 20% discount on Osprey charging after 7pm.

✔ No more upfront ‘holds’ on your credit card, just pay it off on your home bill

✔ Great for European road trips

✘ Route planner doesn’t show you alternatives along the route, but you can use the app to see all the options

✘ Network doesn’t include Gridserve or Instavolt chargers (although you still see where these are on the app)

Bonnet is a payment app that lets you plan routes across the UK and Europe and access charging through a single app (or RFID card if you prefer). It is similar to the Electroverse app, except you can buy a number of Boosts which are subscriptions that get you a discount on all charging sessions. For £2 a month you can get 10% off charging, £8 gets you 15% off. The rapid networks to watch out for are Osprey, Ionity, MFG, and up and coming Evyve. It has also partnered to show untethered 7kW Connected Kerb chargers.

We were disappointed to learn that, just as if you had turned up to use contactless on a new network, Bonnet still has to hold £30 in prepayment authorisation for each charge you do.

Bonnet Premium does offer a route planning app for newer EVs. It is currently being offered for free as a beta product, but you need to add a payment method and will get a reminder if it ever starts to be a charged-for service.

We gave it a test, and found it very difficult to even find the route planning tool. (There’s a tiny bent arrow on the main map). The results, including one charger that was offline, were meaningless as they gave no information about the estimated battery SoC%, or charging time. On the bright side, it was easy to cancel Premium right there in the app.

Main features of the best EV route planners

The features offered by these apps are changing all the time. We’ve done our best to compare apps in May 2022 (updated June 2023), but if you have found any changes and would like to give us an update, we’d love to put things right. Email us at: [email protected]

Our verdict: Which route planning app is best?

We gave each EV route planning app a score for various aspects of planning a long journey. The best app scored 5, with the worst getting a 1:

By way of background, we’ve been driving an EV since 2019. We don’t often use public charging, as most of our journeys can be completed with home charging. We have always used Zap-Map to plan trips and Google Maps to navigate to avoid traffic jams and hold-ups. We stick to the better charger networks (see the golden rules above), and try and avoid charging when the roads are busy. Probably as a result of this, our experience of rapid charging in the last year is generally quite positive.

Following our desk-based research, we’ll be immediately retiring the PlugShare app. We’ll recommend Watts Up to our more anxious EV-newbie friends and relatives. And we’ll watch the newer EV Navigation for further developments.

Which is the best EV route planner app?

For our longest trips, we’d go to ABRP to provide the most accurate route planning. For the genuine ease of use (with one RFID card to almost end them all), we’d use Octopus Electroverse (and better still, you can get £5 credit when you join using our link ). Although we’d love to see payment links with the reliable Instavolt or motorway-based Gridserve networks in the future.

If you have a passenger who can check updates, Zap-Map is useful for the live charger status data for Gridserve chargers, but an update every five minutes could still leave you waiting for a charger, so it’s probably best to head to a larger site anyway.

Pathfinder®

Nissan ARIYA

Nissan LEAF®

Start your online purchase at participating Nissan dealers. Get a quote, book a test drive and even buy your Nissan from home. [[3355]]

Enhance your ownership experience with MyNISSAN - your online home for information on your Nissan model.

Enhance your ownership experience with MyNissan - your online home for information on your Nissan model.

NISSANCONNECT® SERVICES

How far until your next charge? Estimated Driving Range lets you how many miles your Nissan LEAF or ARIYA can go on its existing charge, so you can confidently plan your drive.

Trip Information

Driving analysis for ariya, driving history for leaf.

Stay connected with your Nissan ARIYA and see vehicle stats like average energy consumption, CO2 savings and more.[[3880]]

Driving History gives you the ability to see your Nissan LEAF's Driving Records, My Driving Style information (how you're driving and tips) and Electric Rate Simulation via the NissanConnect EV Services app or MyNISSAN Owner Portal.[[3880]]

Route planning

Intelligent route planner for ariya, route planner for leaf.

Start your journey here with Intelligent Route Planner for Nissan ARIYA. Create an itinerary for your next adventure and choose routes with charging stations, including Fast Charging and more. The system will automatically calculate and insert all of the charging station waypoints needed for your vehicle to reach the selected destination successfully. [[3880]] [[153]]

Route Planner allows you to plan your itinerary and simplify your trip with your Nissan LEAF. By entering a starting point and end destination, Route Planner will consider your vehicle's range to propose routes, enabling you to manually select charging station waypoints along the way. Set your route from the comfort of your home. You can access Route Planner from the MyNISSAN Owner Portal.[[3880]]

EV SMARTPHONE APPS

Which app do i use to manage my electric vehicle.

Depending on whether you own a Nissan ARIYA® or a Nissan LEAF®, you can download the companion app on your compatible smartphone to manage the unique features of your electric vehicle.

Different vehicles, different apps

Download the MyNISSAN app—available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play —to connect with your ARIYA, access remote vehicle functionality and more. [[3880]]

Download the NissanConnect® EV & Services app—available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play —to control select vehicle functions and keep tabs on your LEAF. [[3880]]

Which Nissan electric vehicles have range & trip planning features?

Visit the Package Availability page to find out which electric vehicles are equipped with range and trip planning features.  

Related features

Explore similar features to make the most of your drive.

Set your cabin temperature remotely through your compatible device. [[3880]] [[97]]

Get a list of charging stations, sorted by both distance and charger type. [[3880]] [[153]]

Start or stop charging remotely or schedule specific days and times to charge your electric vehicle. [[3880]]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions about range & trip planning features?

Explore frequently asked questions about range and planning features.

How do I use range & trip planning features?

Download the NissanConnect EV & Services app or the MyNISSAN app to access remote control of specific vehicle functions and monitor your EV from your compatible smartphone. 

What is the difference between the NissanConnect® EV & Services app and the MyNISSAN app?

The NissanConnect® EV & Services app is designed exclusively to manage the unique features of the Nissan LEAF, while the MyNISSAN app helps owners of all other Nissan vehicles—including the ARIYA—get the most out of their ownership experience.

How do I send multiple routes to my LEAF?

Follow these steps for your Nissan LEAF: 1. On your LEAF vehicle dashboard scroll down and click "My EV". 2. In the top navigation menu, select "Route Planner". 3. Click "Plan Your Route". 4. Enter your start destination and you can include up to five waypoints. Click "calculate route". 5. Click "Forward Route to Navigation" and name your route to send the route to your LEAF (Select "Reconfigure Route" and click "Reset" then repeat steps 4 and 5 to send up to 5 routes to your LEAF). 6. Go to the vehicle and Navi on the bottom of the screen. 7.  Press the right arrow to scroll to the next page. 8. Touch "Route Planner" in the bottom left. 9. Touch/download the route you would like to set as a new destination.

Explore available technology

Select a model and year to find feature availability and package pricing. Already a Nissan Owner? Log in to your account to pre-select your vehicle.

If you have additional questions about NissanConnect® Services powered by SiriusXM®, we’d like to help. 

Support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST.

Green Car Future

The future's here, and it's shaping up to be a wild ride!

Electrify America and Trip Planning: How To Travel Effectively

Is there anything more American than an annual road trip? The fact is that to get from A to B by car in much of America means a bit of a road trip compared to smaller countries like the UK. When you’re preparing to undertake a road trip in an electric car, trip planning becomes more important than ever.

You always have to plan, of course, preparing enough food and water, knowing where you can stop and sleep overnight if need be, and also places to make pit-stops on the way to recharge yourself. If you’re driving an electric car, these become literal recharging stops, and they need very careful planning. For that, a lot of people already rely on the Electrify America app, but while it’s perhaps one of the best-known EV charge point apps out there, it has been dismissed by some as inadequate for proper road trip planning.

In today’s blog, we’ll be assessing the functions of Electrify America, as well as its shortcomings, and what other options are on offer for those who want something more suited to their own EV.

Background: About Electrify America

Electrify America is a large and growing network of public DC fast chargers and level 2 charging stations, owned and operated by Volkswagen. Despite its ownership, you by no means have to own a Volkswagen ID.4 in order to gain access! It’s open to all EVs, but Tesla owners will have to be ready to use their adapters.

At the time of writing, and according to the Electrify America website , the organization operates 791 stations, running 3,435 fast chargers, as well as another 116 level 2 chargers. Among the fast chargers are CCS and CCS-CHAdeMO connectors. Most stations are concentrated in the northeast, Florida, and California, with other stations generally following major highway routes across the midwest, southwest, and Pacific northwest. 

The Electrify America App: A Review

Next, let’s take a look at the Electrify America app itself. It’s free to download and available on both Android and iOS platforms. No payment method is required when creating an account, just your first and last name. But you will need to add a card as a payment method when you start to use it for charging. It does offer some paid/premium features, too, which we will cover in more detail in sections below.

Main Functions

Below is a summary of the main features one can find within the app:

• Premium plans with discounts on charging, contactless payment ability, and more
• Live, up-to-date charging locations nearby with availability
• Notifications when charging points become available
• Charge tracking from your smartphone after the process begins
• Home charger management with preferred charge time management 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration

Strong Points

The chief advantage of Electrify America over other apps is in its ability to give strong amounts of detail when it comes to nearby chargers. Unlike apps such as Google Maps, which will tell you locations of chargers, Electrify America gives you a lot more about their status, exact location within certain premises, and condition.

In addition, you can get the majority of the key features without having to subscribe to any payment plans. Even if you do opt for a payment plan, they start at just $4.00 a month (Pass+). You might wonder about spending monthly premiums when you’re paying for charging services anyway, but a Pass+ membership actually gives you up to 25 percent discount, which makes it very worthwhile for regular chargers.

Finally, being able to easily integrate it with your Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions also makes life a lot easier for users, meaning you don’t have to be looking at your smartphone the whole time and get the information safely while on the road.

Weak Points

One of the chief criticisms leveled against Electrify America is that while it presents itself as a uniquely “all-in-one” app, its features are neither unique nor all-encompassing as one might hope. For one thing, it lacks a useful trip planning feature for longer journeys, which in a country like America seems like a pretty big omission. Fans of the app defend it by pointing out that it is built primarily for local use only, and not for road trippers, but with an engaging, wide-reaching name like “Electrify America,” why not consider America more widely, including road trippers?

Furthermore, those who don’t use the app and instead favor their own vehicle app platform such as the Ford Pass app, for example, have found that Electrify America locations are frequently not added in time, leaving key gaps in their own maps and planners. Whether this is entirely down to Electrify America or whether it’s more Ford’s fault isn’t entirely clear, but it all seems to contribute to the fact that Electrify America doesn’t feature in virtually any list of “Best Apps for Route Planning.”

Payment options are affordable with Electrify America, but you are forced to pay the fee if you want to access the best features. This might be expected for some, but when you’re already paying for the fundamental service being offered by them, it seems a little unfair not to have more premium features available for free.

What Other Journey Planning EV Apps Are Available?

Typically topping the list of recommended journey planning apps is Tesla’s own app that its owners use every day. The main advantage of Tesla is its own massive Supercharger network, currently offering some 1,500 locations across all 50 states and even 2 overseas territories. While superchargers are concentrated in similar locations to Electrify America stations, they are still more common, and are even now starting to roll out plans to allow non-Tesla cars to use them.

The journey planning feature on the app allows you to plot every supercharger station you’ll need to stop at along the way and how to break up the journey. It also features Tesla’s other great in-house features like instant calls for roadside assistance.

The best thing about the EV Hotels app is that it’s focused on accommodation spots rather than just charging stations. Knowing where Tesla Superchargers are is great, but what this app does is point to hotels and other accommodations that come with their very own charging points. This means you can plan your trip killing two birds with one stone at every major stop — where to charge overnight, and where to sleep.

A Better Route Planner (ABRP)

An interesting quirk about ABRP is that it lets you program in your car make and model, which is then taken into account for the journey ahead, using more precise data. If you’re using it in your Tesla, you can even share your drive data with it to improve its accuracy even further. It also tells you which routes to avoid, and keeps you informed on traffic, road, and weather conditions ahead.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a great choice chiefly because of how familiar most people are with the system already, having been using Google Maps in some form or another for many years. The main drawback with Google Maps is that while it does have a route planning feature that Electrify America lacks, it also lacks the detail that Electrify America offers. Having said that, it’s easy to use, familiar, and requires no payments at all for the service of route planning or locating charging stations.

General Tips for Long-Distance EV Road Trips

Let’s say you are planning for a long-distance road trip in your electric car, Tesla or otherwise. What are some useful tips that can help you on your way?

We’ve pretty much covered this in the above points, but it’s good to emphasize the importance of planning when you’re taking an electric car on an extended road trip. The thing is, the way things are currently, the country just can’t cater to EVs in the same way that it can to regular gasoline cars. Not only do gasoline cars typically have a range advantage, but they have an extreme flexibility advantage, too, given that there are gas stations large and small to be found all over the place.

EV drivers will have to stick more to their plans, and probably deviate a lot less. Mistakes in planning could easily lead to your becoming stranded, and that’s no fun. So, however experienced you are in road trip planning, if it’s your first time doing it in an EV, then spend some extra time and attention on it.

Make Contingency Plans

Following on from the previous point, it’s also critical that you make more detailed backup plans for if and when things go wrong. Keep estimates on range conservative, and always plan to stop and charge earlier than you would need to according to those range numbers. Have a “plan B” for every eventuality. It takes more planning, but until the infrastructure is really there for EVs, it’s necessary to play on the side of caution.

Minimize Energy Waste

During your road trip, try not to burn up too much juice through things like bad driving habits. Being too aggressive with the throttle and brake, for example, is an excellent way to drain the battery too quickly. Drive at steady speeds, and don’t overtax the battery.

Charge to Full Before Departure

Charging to full is something that most EV experts tell you not to do, but when getting ready to set off on a long road trip, it is one of the times when you are actually supposed to charge to full. Equally, you shouldn’t let the battery completely deplete while out on the road. It’s bad for the battery chemistry to combine full charging and full discharge, so try to hit your next recharge stop when you get to about 20 percent or below, and before you hit 10 percent.

Don’t Overload the Car

Finally, as another measure to save energy, don’t overload the car with too much gear. It’s a road trip, we understand, so there’s bound to be supplies aplenty, but try not to pack too much superfluous gear. Electric cars are heavy enough without all your useless gear weighing down even more and taxing the battery even further.

Happy road tripping! Plan well and all good things will come to you!

1 thought on “Electrify America and Trip Planning: How To Travel Effectively”

I’ve noticed that some of the charge station information through EV Go, Charge Point and Google Maps is inaccurate. I’ll finally find a station only to discover that it is inaccessible or not functional. Some of the Electrify America Stations do not work with any of my credit cards and I’m grappling with their heavy charge cords while trying different chargers and trying to talk to them on the phone. To their credit, they have charged me for free after a couple frustrating experiences.

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How To Plan an EV Road Trip With Google Maps' Charging Feature

Your EV’s built-in Google Maps app is designed to keep you charged.

For electric vehicles with Google Maps installed, road trips have become a lot easier. The popular navigation app can now manage vehicle charging along your route, meaning you won’t have to stress over making it to a station before your battery runs out.

What can Google Maps do?

Multiple modern EVs — like models from Volvo , Polestar , GM, and possibly even Rivian — come preinstalled with a specialized version of Google Maps that can directly tap into the vehicle’s systems to keep track of your trip.

Maps works directly with compatible EVs to keep track of your vehicle’s battery levels, energy usage, and other metrics to make sure you don’t run out of battery halfway through your journey. With this, Maps can also predict what your battery will be upon arrival.

Specifically, the app will generate real-time estimates of your remaining battery on arrival, and if you’re predicted to run out of power before reaching your destination, the app will prompt you to pick a charging stop to add to your route. If you need to stop more than once, the app will automatically add the necessary charging stops across the route, and these stops will be calculated into your trip duration.

Recently added Google Maps features focusing on charging will also help you find the right station to juice your EV at. The update allows users to look at a more detailed AI-generated description of where chargers are located (i.e. Enter the underground parking lot and follow the signs toward the exit. Just before exiting, turn right.) Hopefully, those summaries are accurate — AI has a habit of hallucinating information, and the last thing you need is to wander aimlessly in a parking garage looking for a charger.

The summaries should be rolling out to all Google Maps users in the coming months.

In addition to charger location summaries, Google Maps now shows nearby chargers on the in-car map and gives you real-time data on whether the charger is in use and charging speeds.

How do you access Google Maps’ EV charging feature?

Google Maps’ charging features are available for EVs like those made by Volvo which have Maps integrated into the car’s onboard computer.

Most of these features will engage automatically while driving, meaning you don’t have to do anything unless prompted to (like adding a charging station to your route when Google detects that you’ll need it).

However, searching for charging stations is pretty simple:

• Tap the “Search” button, and the search menu should open.
• Then, search for charging stations.
• From here, you’ll be presented with a series of filters to narrow down your search.
• You can search by charger type, payment network, or charging speed — including a filter for “very fast” speed that only shows 150 - 350kW chargers.

You can also manually add a charging station when creating a route:

• Search for a destination, and create a route
• Once the route has been generated, there should be a button labeled “Add charging stop”
• Tap this button, and select a charging station along the route.

Along with this, Maps’ voice recognition can be used to perform most of these functions without having to use a touchscreen while driving.

Currently, Google has not added an equivalent to the mobile version of Google Maps. However, the app can still be used to find electric charging stations. This can be done by typing in “electric charging station” into Maps — the same way you would search for a gas station — which will then show multiple stations in your area.

Tapping on these locations will provide additional information, including charging speeds, charger types, and availability of each.

However, because the mobile version of Google Maps can’t connect directly to an EV, it isn’t able to collect any information on battery levels or usage. As a result, it can’t accurately add charging stops to any trips.

This article was originally published on April 17, 2023

Best EVs for Road Trips in 2023

There’s more to a road trip than the logistics of how you get there. Here are the 12 best EVs we found for road trips, for a variety of budgets and traveling companions.

Kia Motors America |

These EVs Will Put Some Zip in Your Next Road Trip

When you’re planning a road trip with an electric vehicle, range is probably the biggest concern, first and foremost, because range affects everything else when you’re driving an EV — particularly when it comes time to replenish that range. Depending on your destination, and what you’ll encounter on the way, finding a safe and reliable place to charge could be a nonissue, or it could be a complete pain.

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Yet, there’s more to a road trip than the logistics of how you get there. You’ll want space for all your passengers and everyone’s luggage, spacious and comfortable seats no matter what type of vehicle you’re in and user-friendly technology.

Here are the 12 best EVs we found for road trips, for a variety of budgets and traveling companions. As you read, keep in mind that we update our reviews throughout the year as new information becomes available. Therefore, the scores you see here might not match the scores in a vehicle’s review.

Nissan North America, Inc. |

2023 Nissan Leaf

Price: $28,040 | overall score: 7.6/10.

The Nissan Leaf may be a controversial choice here, since it tops out at 212 miles of range for the SV Plus model, and its fast-charging capability falls short of many competitors. Still, we chose the Leaf to kick off this roundup of the best EVs for road trips because it’s the car that helped people realize EVs didn’t need to be elitist and unaffordable. The Leaf’s low price means it’s a little less convenient than its rivals, yet, it puts EV road-tripping within the price range of most new car shoppers.

The Leaf is spacious and comfortable for a small car, and has standard features just a bit beyond the essentials. You’ll get an 8-inch touch-screen display, Apple CarPlay , Android Auto and a competitive list of advanced safety tech.

More on the 2023 Nissan Leaf

• See 2023 Nissan Leaf Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Nissan Leaf »
• Read the 2023 Nissan Leaf Full Review  »
• See Electric Car Rankings  »

Tesla Inc. |

2023 Tesla Model 3

Price: $43,990 | overall score: 8.6/10.

The Model 3 is the best value in the Tesla lineup, with an accessible entry price, tons of features and range that’s been increased for 2023 in both base and Long Range models. The Model 3’s main downfall in terms of road trip-worthiness is that Tesla’s infotainment system uses its own smartphone integration, so Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available.

Three configurations are available, with range ranging from 272 to 358 miles. The most expensive of the group, the Performance, splits the difference in terms of range and offers excellent acceleration and all-wheel drive.

More on the 2023 Tesla Model 3

• See 2023 Tesla Model 3 Photos  »
• Read the 2023 Tesla Model 3 Full Review  »
• See Luxury Electric Car Rankings  »

Hyundai Motor America |

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Price: $41,600 | overall score: 8.3/10.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is brand new for the 2023 model year, yet it immediately lands the top spot in our electric car rankings. The Ioniq 6 uses Hyundai’s experience as a value leader in the EV segment, as well as its sharp styling expertise, to put together a well-rounded EV sedan that can holds its own alongside the brand’s more well-established crossover offerings.

The Ioniq 6 rides smoothly and is available with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive and in configurations that offer between 270 and an impressive 361 miles of range. The Ioniq 6 also includes a 12.3-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among its many standard features.

More on the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

• See 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 »
• Read the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Full Review  »

BMW of North America, LLC |

2023 BMW i4

Price: $51,400 | overall score: 8.8/10.

The BMW i4 is a sleek and pretty “Gran Coupe" — what BMW calls its coupe-inspired sedans — with tons of comfort features and up to 301 miles of range achieved in its base trim. Furthermore, this BMW is a decent buy if it’s within your price range and you consider that the mid- and top-tier trims of some mainstream EVs cost more than the i4’s base price. In short, this is a stylish way to hit some of the best roadside tourist attractions.

If you’re willing to spend more on an i4, you can upgrade from rear- to all-wheel drive. Standard features include an impressive curved display that combines a 14.9-inch touch screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

More on the 2023 BMW i4

• See 2023 BMW i4 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 BMW i4 »
• Read the 2023 BMW i4 Full Review  »

Mercedes-Benz USA |

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

Price: $104,400 | overall score: 8.7/10.

In its second year on the market, the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan earns a spot in the top half of our luxury electric car rankings. It’s on the expensive side but if you want to see the country in some of the best comfort you can get from an EV, it’s a great choice, with competitive range and tons of cargo space.

Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is a new option for 2023, though you’ll get slightly better range, a total of about 350 miles, sticking with the rear-drive base model. Standard features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch touch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging and augmented reality navigation.

More on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

• See 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan »
• Read the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan Full Review  »

Ford Motor Company |

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

Price: $42,995 | overall score: 8.4/10.

Romance and nostalgia aren’t necessary for a road trip, but they’ll certainly add to the experience, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E makes a great choice for an EV road trip with a throwback vibe. If you’re determined to stay salty about Ford putting the pony badge on an EV, you wouldn’t get it, anyway.

The Mustang Mach-E is offered with range estimates of 224 to 312 miles, depending on the trim level and battery pack. The base Select falls on the lower, but still worthwhile, end of the scale with 247 miles of range and a decent list of standard features. You’ll get a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a 15.5-inch touch screen infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless device charging.

More on the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

• See 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E »
• Read the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Full Review  »
• See Electric SUV Rankings  »

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Price: $41,450 | overall score: 8.5/10.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 is a stylish electric crossover with near-luxury aspirations at a value price. The Ioniq 5 is available with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, and each offers distinctly different driving dynamics, from athletic to comfortable. The Ioniq 5 tops out at a competitive 303 miles of range, too.

As is typical for Hyundai, the Ioniq 5’s style and practicality don’t mean you have to compromise elsewhere in the experience. Hyundai includes tons of safety features as well as a 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment display that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

More on the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

• See 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 »
• Read the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Full Review  »

2023 Rivian R1S

Price: $78,000 | overall score: 8.9/10.

Now for something a little different. The Rivian R1S is the EV startup’s second vehicle on the market following the R1T pickup truck. This SUV has unique looks and a ton of innovative features, such as a "Kneel" mode that lowers the vehicle when it's parked to make getting in and out easier. Its air suspension also enables the R1S to level out the body when parked on uneven terrain while other features include a semi-autonomous driving system that works on specific mapped highways, and an available underbody shield for extra protection while off-roading.

The R1S also drives great, with standard all-wheel drive and quick acceleration. Range checks in at 260 miles with the standard battery pack and 321 miles with the upgraded battery pack.

More on the 2023 Rivian R1S

• See 2023 Rivian R1S Photos  »
• Read the 2023 Rivian R1S Full Review  »
• See Luxury Electric SUV Rankings  »

2023 Genesis GV60

Price: $59,290 | overall score: 8.7/10.

The GV60 is an all-new addition to the Genesis lineup for 2023. It’s a beautiful crossover that’s potent yet practical, with enjoyable performance, a long list of standard features and user-friendly technology. That said, the GV60’s range options are 235 and 248 miles, both of which fall short of luxury EVs in this price range.

Consider this, though: the GV60 supports V2L (vehicle-to-load) charging, which isn’t unheard-of but also isn’t yet anywhere close to mainstream. If you’ll be staying in campgrounds or remote areas along your road trip, you can connect appliances or electronics to the GV60 and power them with the battery. Want to play electric guitar under the stars? Genesis has you covered.

More on the 2023 Genesis GV60

• See 2023 Genesis GV60 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Genesis GV60 »
• Read the 2023 Genesis GV60 Full Review  »

General Motors |

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

Price: $27,800 | overall score: 7.5/10.

The Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV are both excellent choices for road trip cars, though we chose the EUV for this list because its hatchback-like crossover body offers more cabin and cargo space. It’s not really an Instagram model, but it’ll get you to all the scenic selfie spots in comfort. The Bolt EUV is also the winner of our 2023 Best Electric SUV for the Money award and it has the lowest base price of any EV crossover currently for sale.

The base Bolt EUV offers 247 miles of range, which is competitive considering its pricing. Standard features include a 10.2-inch touch screen, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless device charging and a lot of safety features for the money.

More on the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

• See 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV »
• Read the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Full Review  »

DANIEL KRAUS |

2023 BMW i7

Price: $119,300 | overall score: 8.9/10.

The BMW i7 is yet another EV road trip contender that’s new to the market for 2023. The i7 is BMW’s new flagship sedan, which means it showcases the brand’s best design, engineering and technology features, and has a price tag to match. This elegant sedan is extremely comfortable and provides a smooth, soothing ride despite its energetic powertrain.

This top-ranked luxury electric car can go up to 318 miles on a full charge, though upgrading to larger wheels will sacrifice some range. A standard adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive ensure a comfortable ride along with more confidence in foul-weather driving conditions. Standard features include a 14.9-inch touch screen as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

More on the 2023 BMW i7

• See 2023 BMW i7 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 BMW i7 »
• Read the 2023 BMW i7 Full Review  »

2023 Kia EV6

Price: $48,700 | overall score: 8.7/10.

The Kia EV6 is one of the best EVs for a road trip, hands down, but particularly if you can’t afford to or prefer not to shop the luxury brands. The EV6 looks and feels upscale, with sophisticated design and great performance, yet comes in at a price that is reasonable for many shoppers looking for a new electric car. You’ll enjoy your road trip a lot more if you’re not worrying about how much it costs, after all.

The EV6 crossover’s base trim has the best range of the lineup, at 310 miles, and presents the best value with a ton of standard features. You’ll get a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 12.3-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging to help the miles fly by.

More on the 2023 Kia EV6

• See 2023 Kia EV6 Photos  »
• Find the best price on the 2023 Kia EV6 »
• Read the 2023 Kia EV6 Full Review  »

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Best EVs for Road Trips

• 2023 Nissan Leaf - $28,040 | Overall Score: 7.6/10
• 2023 Tesla Model 3 - $43,990 | Overall Score: 8.6/10
• 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 - $41,600 | Overall Score: 8.3/10
• 2023 BMW i4 - $51,400 | Overall Score: 8.8/10
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan - $104,400 | Overall Score: 8.7/10
• 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E - $42,995 | Overall Score: 8.4/10
• 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 - $41,450 | Overall Score: 8.5/10
• 2023 Rivian R1S - $78,000 | Overall Score: 8.9/10
• 2023 Genesis GV60 - $59,290 | Overall Score: 8.7/10
• 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV - $27,800 | Overall Score: 7.5/10
• 2023 BMW i7 - $119,300 | Overall Score: 8.9/10
• 2023 Kia EV6 - $48,700 | Overall Score: 8.7/10

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Top things I learned on a road trip in an electric car rental: EV tips and tricks

P icture the thrill of the open road, the allure of adventure beckoning at every turn — this is the preferred mode of travel for my husband and me. Yet, our recent journey through the majestic Colorado Rockies took an unexpected twist when the car rental agency handed me the keys to an electric vehicle (EV).

Road-tripping in an electric car rental? This was uncharted territory for us. We had never even driven an EV before. But with climate change urging us toward greener choices, I saw this as an opportunity to embrace the future on four wheels.

Would we end up stranded on a remote mountain pass, pleading with a dead battery? There was only one way to find out. Here's what we learned when we rented an electric car for our Colorado road trip .

Electric car rental basics

With major car rental companies expanding their fleets to include electric options, now is the best time to take an EV for a road trip . Whether you opt for the iconic Tesla or explore other models like the Chevy Bolt, Nissan LEAF, or Kia Niro, an electric car rental offers a glimpse into the future of transportation.

Besides the make, the most crucial factors to consider are range and charging speed. In general, the longer the range and the faster the charge, the smoother the road trip. Worried about power? Fear not! Our compact SUV handled steep curves like a pro.

In the end, road-tripping in an EV isn’t just about getting from point A to B; it’s about embracing a cleaner, more sustainable way to explore the open road. With a little planning, road trips in an EV are easy and budget-friendly.

What it's like driving an EV

Envision the serene hum of tires on pavement, the whisper-quiet glide through awe-inspiring landscapes. The ride in this electric car rental was remarkably tranquil. No rumbling engines; just the gentle hush of rubber meeting road. Yet, when the need arose, there was instant acceleration.

As we traversed silently through breathtaking scenery, we felt like eco-warriors. The Rockies, the forests, and the winding roads were all ours to explore guilt-free.

Our EV was a tech-lovers dream with advanced features like the 3D digital dashboard. It was our trusted guide, offering real-time updates on battery charge levels and remaining mileage, ensuring we stayed on course. However, the specter of range anxiety loomed. What if we couldn't find a charging station?

EV charging station strategies

Little did we know not all charging stations are created equal, and navigating the charging landscape became an unexpected adventure. Setting off from Denver and driving west, our first stop in Vail swiftly became a quest for power. Realizing that our battery would not last until our destination in Glenwood Springs, we scoured the area for a charging station.

After circling a parking lot, we stumbled upon a charging station. The plug slid into the socket seamlessly, and to our delight, the charge was free! As we plugged in, we marveled at the convenience of modern technology, with a QR code leading us to a smartphone app that provided real-time charging updates. However, our excitement waned as we discovered the painfully slow charging speed — a daunting 12 hours awaited us.

►Related:   Best Small Town in the West (2024)

While exploring Vail, taking in the scenic offerings, and indulging in a leisurely lunch, our charging speed suddenly doubled. Turns out, sharing isn’t always caring — especially when it comes to chargers. Lesson learned: If you need a fast charge, don’t share a charger, as sharing slows down the process.

Planning a route with an electric car rental

Arriving in Glenwood Springs without further incident, we found a much faster charging station in a shopping center parking lot. In a mere 20 minutes, we juiced up to the advised 80% with a refreshed range of approximately 350 miles, and our journey was back on track.

Luck got us this far, but we realized we needed to adjust our route to accommodate the need for charging stations. The next day, our route took us along the Flat Tops Trail, a scenic byway that showcases some of the most remote areas in the Rockies. An ideal way to view pristine scenery and wildlife, this route is not for the faint of heart, with only about half of the 82-mile distance paved, lots of steep terrain and hairpin turns — and no charging stations.

►Related:   Best Historic Small Town (2024)

Doing some mileage calculations, we realized that even though most of our route was remote, we should be able to complete it with room to spare. We set out with some trepidation, but we made it to our destination of Steamboat Springs with 50 miles of charge to spare. Also, our EV navigated the difficult terrain beautifully!

After that, we only needed one more full charge before returning to Denver, and our subsequent explorations of Steamboat Springs and Grand Lake went off without a hitch.

Things to know when you rent an electric car

In Denver, we found ourselves in a grocery store parking lot waiting for a charger in the pouring rain. We had to give the EV a partial charge before returning it. (Like a gas car, you must return an EV rental at the same power level when you rented it.)

As we waited, we came up with several questions that others might have when renting an electric car for a road trip. Here's what we discovered.

What is good charging station etiquette? There is nothing worse than a charging station hog! Rule of thumb: Don’t overstay your charge. Be courteous to fellow EV drivers. And don’t yank their plug — that’s not cool.

Is it dangerous to charge in the rain? Charging in the rain won’t turn you into a human lightning rod. Manufacturers wrap charging cables in watertight insulation. No water seeps into your EV. Science is magic.

Is there an environmental impact? Zero tailpipe emissions mean cleaner air and happier lungs. Plus, it smells better. Seriously, there are no exhaust fumes.

Is charging cheaper than gas? Mile for mile, charging an EV is generally cheaper than refueling a gas guzzler. But beware of the free charging stations. Many are slow and susceptible to station hogs. Fast chargers are like espresso shots for your EV but they cost more.

What happens when the EV runs out of charge? You get a warning when your EV has 20% power left, and some cars even list the nearest charging station. As the charge dwindles, the EV will go into conservation mode. That slows you to a sloth-like pace, but you keep moving — even past 0% charge.

Yes, but what happens if you have no charge and are stuck on the side of the road? The good news is some tow trucks come armed with portable chargers that immediately get you up and running. The bad news is that many don’t. If there is no portable charger, the EV has to be flat towed to the nearest charging station.

Will the EV stop charging in the cold? Winter’s icy grip won’t stop you, but it can slow you down. Newer EVs can “precondition” their batteries — like a warmup before a workout. But there’s no getting around the fact that cold temps shrink your range.

This article originally appeared on 10Best.com: Top things I learned on a road trip in an electric car rental: EV tips and tricks

From saving on gas to driving with kids, here's your ultimate road trip planner

"Easy Travel” is a 10-part series focusing on how to reduce bumps during vacations, anticipate roadblocks and be ready when things aren’t going your way. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form .

Ina Daly has spent most of her life on the road.

“My dad was a truck driver and that led me to becoming a truck driver,” she said. “What we do in a day, on a daily job would be like a long road trip to most people.”

With nearly 40 years of driving for freight transportation services provider XPO and numerous industry accolades under her belt, including grand champion at this year’s Arizona Truck Driving Championship , Daly is a pro. She’s also a mom and a grandmother who’s happy to share her experiences to make everyone’s road trips better.

“Some of the things I'm telling you are what we truckers tell our family members,” she said. “I've had a lot of accomplishments in my career and going to the National Truck Driving Championships (this month) is a reward, but the bigger reward is being able to share some things … that have the potential to save lives.”

What to do before a long drive

“Make sure that your vehicle’s road trip ready,” Daly said. ”Really pay close attention to your tires, your coolant, your fan belt.”

She notes tire dealers often offer free inspections to ensure tires are properly inflated and undamaged.

AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz advises getting the whole car serviced before hitting the road.

“If you're a car person and you can, do that yourself at home, by all means,” she said. Otherwise, she recommends getting the oil changed and battery and tires checked professionally. 

To save time and avoid stress, Diaz also suggests filling up on gas the night before leaving and making hotel reservations well in advance, noting that many hotels allow cancellations without penalty up until the day beforehand. 

What do you need before a road trip?

It’s always good to keep an emergency kit with supplies like first aid, a flashlight and extra batteries, and basic tools in the vehicle.

“You want to make sure that if you do have a tire issue, you have the proper tools and jacks in your vehicle to be able to change it,” Daly said. She said warning signals like reflective triangles can also warn other drivers to steer clear in the event of a breakdown.

For road trips, both she and Diaz recommend shelf-stable snacks like protein bars that won’t melt and plenty of water. “Don't think that a bottle or two for everybody is enough,” Daly said. “You've got to have, you know, five or six bottles for everyone.” 

Diaz also recommends wet wipes, blankets during the winter, and any time-sensitive medication or pet food that might be needed in the event of an extended delay.

“These things ideally wouldn't take up too much room in your trunk but they're just good to have in case of an emergency,” Diaz said. “Just think, ‘If I were stuck for a long time, what would keep me comfortable until I was able to (get) help?’”  

A printed map and a general sense of the route can also help in case there GPS hiccups or a phone dies.  AAA’s free TripTik planner can help travelers plot their trips in advance and find rest stops, lodging, food and gas along the way. And its free Gas Cost Calculator can help locate the cheapest average gas prices for drivers when it’s time to refuel.

'Get out there': This mom is using a never-ending road trip to inspire Black family travel

What I should know before a road trip?

“Everything can be a distraction in the car – the radio, the kids, etc. But the phone is a big one,” Daly advised. “When you’re driving, that thing should not ever be in your hand.”

More than 3,500 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2021 because of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . 

Daly also recommends watching out for distracted drivers.

“You can tell a distracted driver by their fluctuating speed,” she warned. “They're drifting in their lane. Their head is looking down instead of focusing on the road. You want to give those people a wide berth.”

How long will a road trip take?

Road trips always take longer than expected because of traffic, construction and other things that arise en route.

Diaz says to expect at least an hour longer than whatever the GPS predicts. Daly recommends leaving at least two hours early.

“You don't want that stressful drive,” Daly said. “You’re hurrying. That lends to bad driving behaviors like tailgating and speeding, which leads to accidents. Don’t put yourself in that situation.”

How many hours a day should you drive on a road trip?

“It just varies so much from person to person, how long they’re comfortable driving,” Diaz said. “We want to err on the side of safety. We want people to be safe on the roads and drive the speed limit and not rush it, but everybody's different.”

Switching out drivers can lighten the load, but no matter who is driving, Daly said, “If you're starting to feel a little, less attentive, maybe a little fatigued, it’s time to take a break.”

What time is best to drive?

“We always recommend, especially during the holidays, leave early in the morning,” Diaz said. “The later you leave in the day, the worse it's going to be because a lot of times during the week … you're going to mix with those commuters on the road.”

“Some people enjoy night driving,” she added. “Once you get to like 8 p.m., 9 p.m. traffic comes down a lot.” 

However, she noted drivers who leave in the evening should watch out for fatigue and plan to drive less than if they started fresh in the morning.

How do you take a good road trip with kids? 

When possible, Daly recommends having a designated passenger to help with kids so the driver can focus on the road.  

Another important thing is to keep seatbelts on the whole way.

“Kids have a tendency to take those off,” Daly said. “Make sure they stay buckled up. I've seen some horrible things out there.”

'I just want to see more of us': The importance of seeing people like you while traveling

What do kids need on a road trip?

Entertainment helps pass the time, but it doesn’t have to be digital. There are all sorts of screen-free road trip games . 

Diaz recommends printing a map or list of sites or cities for kids to watch for along the way.

“You know, yell it out or mark it on your sheet,” she said. “Have some crayons in the car with them so they're following along on the trip, and they feel like they're part of it.”

“Point out historical landmarks and scenery; enjoy nature,” Daly echoed. “That's one of the things that we truck drivers love about our jobs is we get to see the country and nature.”

Stop at points of interest every few hours or simply for everyone to stretch their legs.

And for those times when kids are on screens, make sure to pack car chargers.

What is the best way to save gas?

Don’t speed. 

“Fuel economy peaks at around 50 miles per hour on most cars, and then it drops off as the speeds increase,” Diaz said. “You think, ‘OK, if I just go 70, I'm going to get there faster, and it'll be better,’ but essentially, you're just wasting gas at that point." Fuel economy can be increased by as much as 15% by reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 miles per hour, she said.

Don’t idle unnecessarily either, like at rest stops.

“Your car engine consumes about a quarter to a half a gallon of fuel per hour while it's idling,” she said. “But a warm engine only takes about 10 seconds’ worth of fuel to restart, so if it's safe to do so, just shut off your engine.”

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What happens if my tire blows out?

“When you blow a tire, kaboom, it freaks you out. Do not panic,” Daly said. “Don't slow down abruptly or brake hard or jerk the wheel because that will cause you to lose control and have an accident.”

“Just focus on steering,” she added. “Slow very gradually, off to the side of the road in a safe area, and you won’t have any issue from your blown tire.”

How do you drive around semitrucks?

“Be aware of our needs and limitations,” Daly said. “You know we’re big. We need a lot of space around us. We have big blind spots. … If you can’t see the truck driver’s face in the mirrors of the truck, the truck driver can’t see you.”

She advised against passing on the right. 

“If you have to pass quickly, don’t linger over there. We see people driving over there for the shade (and it) puts us in a very dangerous situation,” she said. “And don’t cut in front of us and then hit your breaks. People don’t like to follow a truck because they can’t see around us, so they pass us and then cut in front of us.”

“It takes away that safety cushion we leave in front of us,” she added. “When you see all that space in front of a truck, that's not for your convenience so that you can pass us and cut into it. That’s for our safety and yours.”

By the same token, she advised fellow drivers to leave plenty of space in front of their own vehicles, so they have enough room to stop quickly in an emergency. If another driver cuts into that space, she suggested, “Take a break. Slow down again. Recreate that space. Bite your tongue and think pure thoughts.”

That last tip may not be so easy.

What has been your best or worst road trip experience?