Taking an Electric Car on a Road Trip: How to Plan Charging Stops

Taking an electric car on a long trip is easier than it was a few years ago.

Charging stations are more common, and most navigation tools can show them along your route.

Still, an EV road trip works best with a little more planning than a gas car.

Charging takes longer than filling a tank, and range changes with speed and weather.

This guide explains the charging basics and how to build a trip plan that keeps the battery, and the driver, comfortable.

The three kinds of charging, in plain terms

Charging equipment is grouped by how fast it adds energy to the battery.

The Alternative Fuels Data Center, run by the Department of Energy, gives rough figures for each level.

  • Level 1. Uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. It adds roughly 5 miles of range per hour of charging.
  • Level 2. Uses 240-volt or 208-volt service. It adds roughly 25 miles of range per hour of charging.
  • DC fast charging. Found along busy highway corridors. It adds roughly 100 to 200 or more miles of range in 30 minutes.

These numbers are averages.

The AFDC notes that real charging time depends on the battery size, how empty it is and the car's own charging limits.

Total time can range from less than 20 minutes on a fast charger to 20 hours or more on Level 1.

Which charging fits each part of the trip

Each level has a natural place on a road trip.

  • On the highway: DC fast chargers are the ones that keep a long day moving.
  • At the hotel: Level 2 works well overnight while you sleep.
  • At a destination: Level 2 at a park, museum or restaurant can top up the battery while you visit.
  • As a last resort: Level 1 on a regular outlet is slow, but it can help at a relative's house over a weekend.

The AFDC notes that most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home.

On a trip, you lose that convenience, which is why planning matters.

Know your plug before you go

Not every charger fits every car.

The AFDC explains that there are three main DC fast charging connector types.

They are CCS, CHAdeMO and J3400, which is based on Tesla's NACS design.

Most EV models on the market can use the CCS connector.

The J1772 connector is the common plug for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.

All Tesla vehicles come with a J1772 adapter for non-Tesla Level 2 chargers.

Check your owner's manual to confirm which connectors your car accepts.

If your car needs an adapter for some networks, pack it and test it at home first.

Find stations along your route

The Department of Energy offers a free Station Locator on the AFDC website.

It lets you search for charging stations by location or along a route.

Filters let you narrow results by connector type and charging level.

When you plan each leg of the trip, look for more than one station in each stretch.

A single charger can be busy, out of service or temporarily closed.

Having a backup a few miles away removes a lot of stress.

Plan legs with a comfortable buffer

The range shown on the dashboard is an estimate, not a promise.

Plan each leg so you arrive at the next charger with energy to spare.

  • Plan shorter legs than the full range of the car.
  • Leave extra margin in rural areas where stations are far apart.
  • Add a bigger buffer for hills, strong headwinds or heavy cargo.
  • Recheck your plan if the weather turns very hot or very cold.

Speed matters for EVs too.

FuelEconomy.gov notes that gas mileage usually drops quickly above 50 mph, and higher speeds cost electric cars range too.

Driving a little slower can stretch a leg enough to skip an extra stop.

Cold weather and EV range

Winter has a big effect on electric cars.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, EV range can drop by about 41% in cold weather.

That figure compares 20°F to milder temperatures in mixed city and highway driving.

About two-thirds of the extra energy goes to heating the cabin.

When the cabin heater is not used, range is only about 12% lower at 20°F.

Cold also lowers battery performance in general.

FuelEconomy.gov suggests a few ways to soften the effect.

  • Preheat the cabin while the car is still plugged into the charger.
  • Use the seat warmers instead of the cabin heater when you can.
  • Park in a garage or warmer place overnight if one is available.
  • Check tire pressure regularly, since it falls in cold weather.

On a winter trip, plan shorter legs from the start instead of hoping for the best.

Hot weather and the air conditioning

Summer heat affects EVs as well, mostly through the air conditioning.

FuelEconomy.gov notes that the A/C can reduce efficiency more in electric cars than in gas cars on a percentage basis.

It suggests pre-cooling the cabin while the car is plugged in.

That uses power from the grid instead of the battery and can extend your range.

Setting the A/C a little warmer also saves energy.

Our guide on staying cool on a summer road trip covers more cooling habits.

Make charging stops part of the trip

A fast-charging stop is a natural break for the driver and passengers.

Use the time to stretch, eat, use the restroom or check the next leg of the route.

Regular breaks also help the driver stay alert on long highway days.

Our guide on drowsy driving on long road trips explains why that matters.

Choosing hotels with Level 2 charging can save a stop the next morning.

Call ahead or check the listing to confirm the chargers are available to guests.

Charging etiquette on the road

  • Move the car once it has enough charge for the next leg.
  • Do not park in a charging space unless you are charging.
  • Return the cable neatly so it is not damaged or a tripping hazard.
  • Report broken equipment to the network so others are not stranded.

An EV road trip checklist

  • Confirm your car's connector types and pack any adapters.
  • Map chargers for each leg, with at least one backup.
  • Plan legs shorter than full range, with extra margin in rural areas.
  • Expect less range in cold weather and with heavy A/C use.
  • Precondition the cabin while plugged in.
  • Book lodging with Level 2 charging when possible.
  • Keep the charging apps or accounts you need set up before you leave.

The bottom line

An electric road trip is very doable with the right plan.

Use fast chargers on the highway, Level 2 overnight and a station locator to map backups.

Give yourself a generous buffer, especially in cold weather.

Treat each charging stop as a planned break, and the miles will pass more easily.

Sources and Further Reading