There’s nothing extra all-American than happening a highway journey. It’s thrilling, too, however whereas definitely well worth the expertise, fuel costs would possibly provide you with pause. So, why not ditch the fuel and go electrical or hybrid and take a look at your hand at EV journey as a substitute?
Right here’s an outline:
How Many Electrical Automobiles Are On the Highway?
The excellent news is when you’re planning to drive an EV, you’re not alone. Practically 14 million new electrical automobiles had been registered globally in 2023.
Whereas that statistic contains all markets, about one in 10 autos on U.S. roads is electrical, whereas the nation represents two-thirds of whole automotive gross sales and noticed 1.4 million new electrical automotive registrations throughout the identical yr.
Quite a lot of which may be attributed to the Inflation Discount Act that was handed in 2022 by the Biden administration. It helped incentivize electrical car gross sales.
After all, the principle takeaway is that electrical autos are pretty frequent within the nation, which is sweet information for electrical charging availability. Extra EVs on the highway logically means extra charging infrastructure.
So, what are some good spots for EV journey which have these assets accessible to cost your car?
Route 66
Location: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
Size: About 2,500 miles
Established within the Twenties, the “Mom Highway” — as referenced by John Steinbeck — is a protracted 2,448-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. There are lots of locations and stopping factors alongside the best way, together with wax museums, breathtaking hikes and vistas, nice eats, and past.
Modernization initiatives have improved the journey for EV house owners. A number of of the concerned states have created applications to reinforce EV infrastructure, corresponding to Arizona’s Electrical Automobile Infrastructure Deployment Plan, which made $5 billion accessible for deploying these applied sciences.
It’s a superb journey throughout, and due to the enhancements, you’ll be able to cruise the entire thing with out vary nervousness.
South Florida
Location: John F. Kennedy Area Heart to Key West, Florida
Size: About 620 miles
Beginning at John F. Kennedy Area Heart in Cape Canaveral and touring 616 miles to Key West, Florida — the very tip of the state — is an eye-opening expertise. You possibly can simply shoot straight down Florida’s Turnpike and US-1 South, however that’s largely highways, and it’s not as a lot enjoyable.
You should definitely hit the Area Heart, the assorted state parks like Highlands Hammock State Park or the Everglades, Miami Seashore, and the zany locations of Key West.
Do you know Ernest Hemingway had a property down there and that it’s overrun with six-toed cats? Plus, it’s dwelling to a few of probably the most flavorful key lime pie you’ll style most likely anyplace.
There are charging stations everywhere in the state, with over 3,600 areas as of January 2025. You’re by no means too removed from one, and the climate is totally attractive nearly all yr spherical.
You also needs to keep in mind there are several types of EV chargers, throughout three ranges with separate concerns for every, together with how to hook up with them and at what speeds they cost.
Stage 1 units can take 24-48 hours to recharge you, whereas Stage 3s might do it in as little as 20 minutes.
Natchez Hint Parkway
Location: Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi
Size: About 450 miles
This journey follows a centuries-old buying and selling route — initially utilized by indigenous tribes of North America — from the metropolis of music to the eponymous Mississippi River. It spans about 450 miles, largely driving on a two-lane highway old-school-country-style.
You’ll be able to cease at a number of locations alongside the best way, together with a monument to Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, museums just like the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, nice meals spots, and cities like Jackson or Tupelo, Mississippi.
It’s one other wonderful journey for EV planners and house owners as a result of there are many charging spots alongside the best way to make sure you’ll by no means run out of juice.
Washington Cascade Loop
Location: Seattle to Whidbey Island, Washington
Size: About 440 miles
Washington is an enormous state. In relation to EV charging spots, the West Coast is among the greatest locations to be or journey. Round 2014, a number of EV charging areas had been put in alongside the Cascade Loop — a preferred route between Seattle and the coastal Whidbey Island. It’s not only a nice journey when you personal an EV, nonetheless. It’s a tremendous highway journey to take, interval.
From forested and numerous landscapes to demure cities with numerous character, you’ll see all of it on this journey. For instance, Leavenworth is a mountainous city modeled after Bavarian structure.
Then there’s Seattle, with its scrumptious and stylish eateries, North Cascades Nationwide Park, and coastal views alongside the ultimate stretch of the journey main as much as Whidbey.
Colorado Rockies
Location: Denver to Aspen, Colorado
Size: About 160 miles
Whereas this is among the shorter journeys, it’s no much less attention-grabbing and no much less grueling for the autos. The mountainous space contains Mt. Elbert and Mt. Large, two extremely tall space peaks.
From Denver to Aspen you’ll expertise one heck of a drive with so many thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime vistas, and it’s downright magical. Bonus factors when you deliver the household alongside.
Associated learn: Summer season in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Colorado did attempt to modernize the world, putting in EV charging stations each 100 miles or so inside its borders. To make issues much more attention-grabbing, there are 26 scenic and historic byways within the state. Should you don’t just like the Denver to Aspen journey, there are such a lot of to select from that it boggles the thoughts.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina, to Rockfish Hole, Virginia
Size: About 469 miles
On the opposite facet of the nation, you’ll be able to benefit from Appalachian views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whereas extra rural than different highway journeys, this route supplies breathtaking views of North Carolina and Virginia’s mountainous areas.
Prioritize a go to within the fall when the altering leaves create postcard-worthy footage to ship dwelling.
Regardless of the agricultural setting, there are EV charging stations alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rivian and Tesla have DC quick chargers on this historic route, and different electrical automobiles can use the extent 2 plugs.
In your highway journey, carve time to soak in views at Grandfather Mountain and Crabtree Falls. The various terrain, together with gorges, mountains, and waterfalls, makes your time price it.
Route 1 San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway
Location: California
Size: About 80 miles
Dubbed the All-American Highway in 2022, the San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway has earned its title as probably the most stunning scenic drives possibly on the planet. The views of the Pacific shoreline throughout your entire route are one thing to behold and never one thing you’ll see simply anyplace.
Furthermore, there are such a lot of totally different actions accessible, together with watching the native fauna (whales and dolphins) to artsy excursions, castles, and lighthouses.
California is among the greatest states to drive an EV car via, whether or not you reside there or not. The state has routinely saved up with its electrical infrastructure, which means there are many alternatives to maintain your car batteries able to go.
California’s Pacific Coast Freeway
Location: Dana Level, California to Leggett, California
Size: About 650 miles
Whereas San Luis Obispo is a scenic cease, it’s just one a part of California’s Pacific Coast Freeway. This highway stretches from the seashores of Orange County to the dense forests of northern California.
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If you wish to see one of the best of the Golden State, State Route 1 is terrific for longer highway journeys. You might expertise a spot in EV charging stations between Santa Barbara and Grover Seashore, so it’s important to fill your battery beforehand.
Driving alongside the Pacific Coast contains quite a few must-see locations. Whenever you cease to odor the roses, prioritize locations just like the Pismo Seashore Monarch Butterfly Grove. At this roadside attraction, you’ll be able to observe the attractive butterflies that hang around through the winter.
One other worthy cease is Fort Bragg, which is known for Glass Seashore and lovely pebbles.
Atlantic Coast Journey
Location: Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida
Size: About 1,600 miles
Driving throughout 14 states down the Atlantic coast, touring from the attractive countrylands of Maine and New England to the sunny seashores of Miami, Florida, is sort of a dream. There’s no different strategy to describe it or the hundreds of sights and locations you’ll be able to try alongside the best way.
Cease in Boston to observe Revere’s journey or study extra in regards to the American Revolution. You possibly can additionally take a pit cease at South of the Border in South Carolina for some distinctive enjoyable or go on a ghost tour in Savannah, Georgia.
Take a break at one in every of many highlights in Florida with sights from Orlando to Miami, or just go to the seaside any time of the yr.
There are charging stations accessible the entire approach down, numerous nice motels to get some relaxation, and loads of locations to eat scrumptious East Coast meals staples. It’s a visit everybody ought to take a minimum of as soon as to expertise the good American life-style.
Journey Free with No Vary Anxiousness
These are among the greatest locations within the U.S. for touring in an EV, they usually’ll make any EV planners on the market additional blissful. There are charging stations accessible all through every route with many states planning to, or already providing, the assets to maintain your EV highway journey going.
Nevertheless, they’re additionally wonderful journeys to expertise in any car, with numerous sights to see, locations to go to, and actions to find alongside the best way.
