There’s nothing more all-American than going on a road trip. It’s exciting, too, but while certainly worth the experience, gas prices might give you pause. So, why not ditch the gas and go electric or hybrid and try your hand at EV travel instead?
Here’s an overview:
How Many Electric Vehicles Are On the Road?
The good news is if you’re planning to drive an EV, you’re not alone. Nearly 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023.
While that statistic includes all markets, about one in 10 vehicles on U.S. roads is electric, while the country represents two-thirds of total car sales and saw 1.4 million new electric car registrations during the same year.
A lot of that may be attributed to the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed in 2022 by the Biden administration. It helped incentivize electric vehicle sales.
Of course, the main takeaway is that electric vehicles are fairly common in the country, which is good news for electric charging availability. More EVs on the road logically means more charging infrastructure.
So, what are some good spots for EV travel that have these resources available to charge your vehicle?
Route 66
Location: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
Length: About 2,500 miles
Established in the 1920s, the “Mother Road” — as referenced by John Steinbeck — is a long 2,448-mile trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. There are many destinations and stopping points along the way, including wax museums, breathtaking hikes and vistas, great eats, and beyond.
Modernization initiatives have improved the trip for EV owners. Several of the involved states have created programs to enhance EV infrastructure, such as Arizona’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, which made $5 billion available for deploying these technologies.
It’s an excellent trip all around, and thanks to the improvements, you can cruise the whole thing without range anxiety.
South Florida
Location: John F. Kennedy Space Center to Key West, Florida
Length: About 620 miles
Starting at John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and traveling 616 miles to Key West, Florida — the very tip of the state — is an eye-opening experience. You could just shoot straight down Florida’s Turnpike and US-1 South, but that’s mostly highways, and it’s not as much fun.
Be sure to hit the Space Center, the various state parks like Highlands Hammock State Park or the Everglades, Miami Beach, and the zany destinations of Key West.
Did you know Ernest Hemingway had a property down there and that it’s overrun with six-toed cats? Plus, it’s home to some of the most flavorful key lime pie you’ll taste probably anywhere.
There are charging stations all over the state, with over 3,600 locations as of January 2025. You’re never too far from one, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous almost all year round.
You should also bear in mind there are different types of EV chargers, across three levels with separate considerations for each, including how to connect to them and at what speeds they charge.
Level 1 devices can take 24-48 hours to recharge you, while Level 3s could do it in as little as 20 minutes.
Natchez Trace Parkway
Location: Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi
Length: About 450 miles
This trip follows a centuries-old trading route — originally used by indigenous tribes of North America — from the city of music to the eponymous Mississippi River. It spans about 450 miles, mostly driving on a two-lane road old-school-country-style.
You can stop at a host of destinations along the way, including a monument to Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, museums like the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, great food spots, and cities like Jackson or Tupelo, Mississippi.
It’s another excellent trip for EV planners and owners because there are plenty of charging spots along the way to ensure you’ll never run out of juice.
Washington Cascade Loop
Location: Seattle to Whidbey Island, Washington
Length: About 440 miles
Washington is a big state. When it comes to EV charging spots, the West Coast is one of the best places to be or travel. Around 2014, a host of EV charging locations were installed along the Cascade Loop — a popular route between Seattle and the coastal Whidbey Island. It’s not just a great trip if you own an EV, however. It’s an amazing road trip to take, period.
From forested and diverse landscapes to demure towns with lots of character, you’ll see it all on this trip. For example, Leavenworth is a mountainous town modeled after Bavarian architecture.
Then there’s Seattle, with its delicious and trendy eateries, North Cascades National Park, and coastal views along the final stretch of the trip leading up to Whidbey.
Colorado Rockies
Location: Denver to Aspen, Colorado
Length: About 160 miles
While this is one of the shorter trips, it’s no less interesting and no less grueling for the vehicles. The mountainous area includes Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, two incredibly tall area peaks.
From Denver to Aspen you’ll experience one heck of a drive with so many thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime vistas, and it’s downright magical. Bonus points if you bring the family along.
Related read: Summer in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Colorado did try to modernize the area, installing EV charging stations every 100 miles or so within its borders. To make things even more interesting, there are 26 scenic and historic byways in the state. If you don’t like the Denver to Aspen trip, there are so many to choose from that it boggles the mind.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina, to Rockfish Gap, Virginia
Length: About 469 miles
On the other side of the country, you can take advantage of Appalachian views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. While more rural than other road trips, this route provides breathtaking views of North Carolina and Virginia’s mountainous regions.
Prioritize a visit in the fall when the changing leaves create postcard-worthy pictures to send home.
Despite the rural setting, there are EV charging stations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rivian and Tesla have DC fast chargers on this historic route, and other electric cars can use the level 2 plugs.
On your road trip, carve time to soak in views at Grandfather Mountain and Crabtree Falls. The varying terrain, including gorges, mountains, and waterfalls, makes your time worth it.
Route 1 San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway
Location: California
Length: About 80 miles
Dubbed the All-American Road in 2022, the San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway has earned its title as one of the most beautiful scenic drives maybe in the world. The views of the Pacific coastline during the entire route are something to behold and not something you’ll see just anywhere.
Moreover, there are so many different activities available, including watching the local fauna (whales and dolphins) to artsy tours, castles, and lighthouses.
California is one of the best states to drive an EV vehicle through, whether you live there or not. The state has routinely kept up with its electric infrastructure, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to keep your vehicle batteries ready to go.
California’s Pacific Coast Highway
Location: Dana Point, California to Leggett, California
Length: About 650 miles
While San Luis Obispo is a scenic stop, it’s only one part of California’s Pacific Coast Highway. This road stretches from the beaches of Orange County to the dense forests of northern California.
Related read: Most Expensive Beach Houses in Malibu
If you want to see the best of the Golden State, State Route 1 is terrific for longer road trips. You may experience a gap in EV charging stations between Santa Barbara and Grover Beach, so it’s essential to fill your battery beforehand.
Driving along the Pacific Coast includes numerous must-see destinations. When you stop to smell the roses, prioritize places like the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. At this roadside attraction, you can observe the beautiful butterflies that hang out during the winter.
Another worthy stop is Fort Bragg, which is famous for Glass Beach and gorgeous pebbles.
Atlantic Coast Trip
Location: Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida
Length: About 1,600 miles
Driving across 14 states down the Atlantic coast, traveling from the beautiful countrylands of Maine and New England to the sunny beaches of Miami, Florida, is like a dream. There’s no other way to describe it or the thousands of sights and destinations you can check out along the way.
Stop in Boston to follow Revere’s journey or learn more about the American Revolution. You could also take a pit stop at South of the Border in South Carolina for some unique fun or go on a ghost tour in Savannah, Georgia.
Take a break at one of many highlights in Florida with attractions from Orlando to Miami, or simply visit the beach any time of the year.
There are charging stations available the whole way down, lots of great hotels to get some rest, and plenty of places to eat delicious East Coast food staples. It’s a trip everyone should take at least once to experience the great American lifestyle.
Travel Free with No Range Anxiety
These are some of the best destinations in the U.S. for traveling in an EV, and they’ll make any EV planners out there extra happy. There are charging stations accessible throughout each route with many states planning to, or already offering, the resources to keep your EV road trip going.
However, they’re also amazing trips to experience in any vehicle, with lots of sights to see, destinations to visit, and activities to discover along the way.
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