Planning a Trip With an Electric Car

How to plan a long drive in an electric car

Planning a trip with an electric car means building in time to charge instead of time at the pump. Most electric cars travel 200 to 300 miles on a full charge, so a 500-mile trip requires at least one charging stop. Unlike gas stations, charging takes 20 minutes to several hours depending on the charger type and your car's battery. You will need to know where chargers are located along your route, which networks operate them, and whether you have access to each one.

The core difference from gas travel is that you cannot simply drive until you are low on fuel and then find a station. Electric car trips require planning the route first, identifying chargers along the way, and understanding how long each stop will take. This sounds complicated but becomes routine once you understand the three types of chargers and how to find them.

Key Takeaways

• Most electric cars travel 200 to 300 miles per charge, so trips longer than that require planned charging stops.
• DC fast chargers add 100 to 200 miles in 20 to 30 minutes, while Level 2 chargers take 4 to 10 hours but cost less per mile.
• PlugShare and A Better Route Planner are free apps that show charger locations, availability, and charging time before you leave.
• Charging networks often require membership or a credit card on file, so check your car's built-in navigation to see which networks it connects to directly.
• Plan to charge when your battery reaches 20 percent, not when it is empty, to protect battery health and avoid getting stranded.

The three types of chargers and what they do

DC fast chargers are the highway workhorses. They add 100 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes, which makes them practical for road trips. Most are located along major routes and near highways. The trade-off is cost: DC fast charging typically runs $0.25 to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, or roughly $10 to $15 for a 20-minute charge. Networks that operate DC fast chargers include Electrify America, EVgo, and Tesla Supercharger (for Tesla vehicles and some others with adapters).

Level 2 chargers add 25 to 30 miles per hour of charging. A full charge takes 4 to 10 hours depending on your car's battery size. Level 2 chargers cost $0.10 to $0.25 per kilowatt-hour and are found at hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and some parking lots. They are useful for overnight stops or lunch breaks on a long drive, but not for quick highway refueling.

Level 1 chargers are standard household outlets. They add 2 to 5 miles per hour and are too slow for trip planning. Mention them only if you are staying somewhere overnight and have access to a regular outlet.

Finding chargers before you leave

Your car's built-in navigation system can show chargers along your route, but it only shows networks your car is connected to. Tesla owners see Tesla Superchargers. Chevrolet Bolt owners see GM's network. This means you may miss chargers from other networks that would work just as well.

Use PlugShare or A Better Route Planner (ABRP) before you leave. Both are free apps that show all chargers on a map, let you filter by charger type and network, and display real-time availability. ABRP is particularly useful because it calculates trip time including charging stops and shows you how much battery you will have when you arrive at each charger. This helps you avoid arriving at a charger with almost no range left.

Write down or screenshot the charger addresses and network names. If a charger is out of service when you arrive, you will need to know the next closest option. Most chargers have a phone number posted on the unit itself, but having a backup plan before you leave saves time and stress.

Membership and payment at charging networks

Some charging networks require a membership or credit card on file before you can use them. Tesla Supercharger requires a Tesla account. Electrify America and EVgo accept credit cards at the charger itself, but some locations offer discounts if you join their membership program. ChargePoint and Volta have their own apps and membership structures.

Before your trip, check which networks operate chargers along your route. If most are from one network, consider whether membership makes sense for the cost savings. If chargers are spread across multiple networks, you will need a credit card that works at each one. Most chargers accept major credit cards as a fallback, but response times can be slow and some older units have unreliable card readers.

Your car's navigation system may have a built-in payment option that works across multiple networks. Check your car's manual or the manufacturer's website to see which networks your specific model connects to directly. This is often faster than using a separate app at the charger.

Planning your route and charging stops

Start by entering your destination into ABRP or your car's navigation. The app will suggest charger stops based on your car's range and the distance between chargers. Do not assume the suggested route is the fastest. Sometimes a slightly longer route with better chargers saves time overall.

Look for chargers near places you would want to stop anyway: restaurants, bathrooms, coffee shops. A 20-minute DC fast charge is a good time to eat or walk around. If a charger is in an empty parking lot with nothing nearby, plan to charge while you do something else—read, work, or make phone calls.

Check the charger's real-time status in the app. If it shows multiple chargers at one location, note how many are available. If only one charger is working and it is occupied, you may have a long wait. The app usually shows wait times based on how long other cars have been charging.

What to do when you arrive at a charger

Pull up to the charger and check the display or app to confirm it is working. Some chargers have a button you press to start; others require you to scan a QR code or use an app. If the charger is broken, the display will usually say so. Move to the next charger on your list rather than waiting for it to be fixed.

Plug in your car and start the charge. Most chargers show how long the charge will take on their display. DC fast chargers often slow down as your battery gets fuller—the last 10 percent takes longer than the first 10 percent. Plan to leave when your battery reaches 80 percent rather than waiting for a full charge, since the last 20 percent charges very slowly.

While charging, use the time to eat, use the bathroom, or stretch. Do not leave your car unattended for long periods, as some chargers have time limits or may charge you for idle time once the charge is complete.

Protecting your battery on long trips

Frequent DC fast charging generates heat in the battery. On a long road trip with multiple fast charges in one day, this can stress the battery over time. To minimize wear, charge to 80 percent rather than 100 percent whenever possible. The last 20 percent of charge takes much longer and generates more heat.

Plan your stops so you are not charging multiple times in quick succession. If your route has chargers every 100 miles, you will be fast charging more often than if you take a longer route with chargers every 200 miles. The longer route may actually be easier on your battery despite the extra distance.

Avoid letting your battery drop below 10 percent. Driving on a very low battery stresses the battery and can trigger limp mode, where your car limits power to protect itself. Plan to charge when your battery reaches 20 percent, not when it is nearly empty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find a working charger on my route?

Check ABRP or PlugShare for alternative routes with different chargers. Sometimes a 30-mile detour puts you on a route with better charger availability. If no chargers are available, you may need to break your trip into two days or reconsider whether an electric car is practical for that specific route.

Can I charge at a friend's house during a road trip?

Yes, if they have a Level 2 charger or even a standard outlet. A Level 2 charger at a home or hotel adds 25 to 30 miles per hour, so an overnight stop can add 100 to 150 miles of range. A standard outlet adds only 2 to 5 miles per hour, so it is useful only for overnight stays.

How much does it cost to charge on a road trip compared to gas?

DC fast charging typically costs $10 to $15 per 100 miles, while gas costs vary by fuel price and car efficiency. The exact comparison depends on current gas and electricity prices in your area. Use the cost calculator in ABRP to see the estimated charging cost for your specific trip.

What happens if I run out of battery between chargers?

Your car will enter limp mode and limit power to protect the battery. You will need to call a tow truck to reach the nearest charger. This is why planning your route and charging stops before you leave is essential. If you are ever below 10 percent battery and more than 20 miles from the nearest charger, call for a tow immediately rather than risk getting stranded.

Do I need to download apps before my trip?

Download PlugShare and ABRP before you leave so you can use them offline if you lose cell service. Your car's built-in navigation usually works without an app, but having backup apps on your phone means you can find chargers even if your car's system fails.