There’s nothing extra all-American than happening a highway journey. It’s thrilling, too, however whereas actually definitely worth the expertise, fuel costs may 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 Autos Are On the Highway?
The excellent news is in case you’re planning to drive an EV, you’re not alone. Almost 14 million new electrical vehicles have been registered globally in 2023.
Whereas that statistic contains all markets, about one in 10 automobiles 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 automobile gross sales.
In fact, the primary takeaway is that electrical automobiles are pretty widespread 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 automobile?
Route 66
Location: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California
Size: About 2,500 miles
Established within the Nineteen Twenties, the “Mom Highway” — as referenced by John Steinbeck — is a protracted 2,448-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles. There are numerous locations and stopping factors alongside the way in which, together with wax museums, breathtaking hikes and vistas, nice eats, and past.
Modernization initiatives have improved the journey for EV homeowners. A number of of the concerned states have created packages to boost EV infrastructure, corresponding to Arizona’s Electrical Automobile Infrastructure Deployment Plan, which made $5 billion accessible for deploying these applied sciences.
It’s a wonderful journey throughout, and because of the enhancements, you possibly can cruise the entire thing with out vary anxiousness.
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 could possibly simply shoot straight down Florida’s Turnpike and US-1 South, however that’s principally highways, and it’s not as a lot enjoyable.
Remember to 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 essentially the most flavorful key lime pie you’ll style most likely anyplace.
There are charging stations all around the state, with over 3,600 places as of January 2025. You’re by no means too removed from one, and the climate is completely beautiful nearly all yr spherical.
You also needs to keep in mind there are various kinds of EV chargers, throughout three ranges with separate issues for every, together with how to hook up with them and at what speeds they cost.
Degree 1 units can take 24-48 hours to recharge you, whereas Degree 3s may 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, principally driving on a two-lane highway old-school-country-style.
You may cease at a bunch of locations alongside the way in which, 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 glorious journey for EV planners and homeowners as a result of there are many charging spots alongside the way in which 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 likely one of the greatest locations to be or journey. Round 2014, a bunch of EV charging places have been put in alongside the Cascade Loop — a well-liked route between Seattle and the coastal Whidbey Island. It’s not only a nice journey in case you personal an EV, nonetheless. It’s a tremendous highway journey to take, interval.
From forested and various landscapes to demure cities with a lot of 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 classy 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 likely one of the shorter journeys, it’s no much less attention-grabbing and no much less grueling for the automobiles. The mountainous space contains Mt. Elbert and Mt. Huge, 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 in case you deliver the household alongside.
Associated learn: Summer season in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Colorado did attempt to modernize the realm, 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. In case 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 aspect of the nation, you possibly can make the most of Appalachian views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whereas extra rural than different highway journeys, this route offers 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 vehicles 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 value 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 one of the stunning scenic drives possibly on the planet. The views of the Pacific shoreline throughout the whole route are one thing to behold and never one thing you’ll see simply anyplace.
Furthermore, there are such a lot of completely different actions accessible, together with watching the native fauna (whales and dolphins) to artsy excursions, castles, and lighthouses.
California is likely one of the greatest states to drive an EV automobile by, whether or not you reside there or not. The state has routinely stored up with its electrical infrastructure, that means there are many alternatives to maintain your automobile 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 the most effective of the Golden State, State Route 1 is terrific for longer highway journeys. You could expertise a niche 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. If you cease to scent the roses, prioritize locations just like the Pismo Seashore Monarch Butterfly Grove. At this roadside attraction, you possibly can observe the gorgeous 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 gorgeous countrylands of Maine and New England to the sunny seashores of Miami, Florida, is sort of a dream. There’s no different method to describe it or the 1000’s of sights and locations you possibly can take a look at alongside the way in which.
Cease in Boston to observe Revere’s journey or study extra concerning the American Revolution. You could possibly 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 certainly one 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 means down, a lot of nice lodges to get some relaxation, and loads of locations to eat scrumptious East Coast meals staples. It’s a visit everybody ought to take not less than as soon as to expertise the nice American way of life.
Journey Free with No Vary Anxiousness
These are a few of the greatest locations within the U.S. for touring in an EV, and so they’ll make any EV planners on the market additional glad. 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 automobile, with a lot of sights to see, locations to go to, and actions to find alongside the way in which.
