Want to hit the road with your electric vehicle? These U.S. road trips offer gorgeous overlooks, welcoming stops and ample charging stations.
A record 43.2 million travelers are expected to hit the road this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, according to the automobile owners group AAA, an increase of 1.7 million or 4 percent over 2019. But compared to the pre-pandemic times, more road trips now have the potential to veer green, thanks to the steady uptick of electric car interest and availability, as well as an expanding number of routes with the necessary infrastructure.
States like Indiana and Michigan have joined Colorado and others in building more charging stations on scenic routes and byways, while car rental companies are enlarging their electric car fleets. Hertz Rental Cars (also the parent company of Dollar and Thrifty) recently announced plans to dedicate a quarter of its fleet to E.V.s by the end of 2024, and competitors, including Enterprise and Avis, already lease Teslas, Chevrolet Bolts, Nissan Leafs and other electric vehicles. And UFODRIVE, an European company that exclusively rents electric vehicles through an app, has expanded into a few select U.S. cities this past year.
But interest and accessibility doesn’t necessarily mean effortless, smooth rides, especially for those new to electric vehicles. There is a learning curve, particularly when it comes to understanding the types of chargers available, the speed at which they’ll charge and the compatibility between chargers and vehicles.
Thankfully, whatever vehicle you are driving, websites, maps and apps can help plan your journey and find charging stations ahead of time. Brent Cowing, an E.V. driver who bought his first Tesla in 2018 and then a Rivian truck in 2022, is a fan of A Better Route Planner, a website and app that allows you to customize your route based on the make and model of your vehicle, the frequency and length of stops you’d like to take, and more.
“It’s a different mind-set, but it doesn’t bother me that I might have to stop for 20 minutes, or even longer,” said Mr. Cowing, 41, a father of two and the chief executive and founder of Protectli, a computer hardware manufacturer. “Especially with kids. By the time we all get out of the car and into the bathroom, grab some snacks, it’s not such a big deal.”
Here are five scenic drives around the United States that are well suited to E.V. travel:
California: up the coast, down through wine country
California is lousy with scenic drives, from its extensive, 840-mile coastline to routes through the magnificent Sierra Nevada. But it’s hard to beat the majesty of the coast north of San Francisco, where Highway 1 twists and turns along vertiginous cliffs and jaw-dropping panoramas of the wild Pacific. Head north from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore before following the coast through Bodega Bay and Jenner, where a meal or an overnight at the Timber Cove Resort or the Sea Ranch Lodge will recharge you for the 60-mile leg to the picturesque town of Mendocino. Loop back and head east through the redwood forests of Philo and Boonville and south to San Francisco via Highway 101, right through Sonoma wine country. You’ll find charging stops in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Petaluma, and wineries like Ridge and Martin Ray are equipped with charging stations as well.
Washington: White Pass Scenic Byway
The Pacific Northwest is a gold mine of stunning scenery, boasting everything from rugged coastline and towering mountains to wildlife-rich forests. The White Pass Scenic Byway cuts through the heart of Washington from between the towns of Chahalis and Castle Rock to Naches via U.S. Route 12. The 120-mile route is a fine way to explore much of the wild and remote parts of the state, including a stretch that passes through Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests and offers views of Mount Rainier. The road, winding past rivers and waterfalls, is known as a place for excellent wildlife spotting; it’s also a great starting point for hikes, fishing trips and more (find suggested itineraries online or via the byway’s trip planner app). The route is also the focus of a new electric vehicle-centric initiative, with eight new E.V. charging stations are currently being built, all of which will have at least one Level 3 fast charger. (A ribbon cutting for the newly electrified route is planned for July 11.)
Colorado: West Elk Loop
Colorado has been a leader in the United States when it comes to electrifying its scenic routes, and has committed to installing charging stations on its 26 scenic and historic byways by 2030. While there’s no way to go wrong when planning a Colorado road trip — circuits in the Rockies, through the desert and around historic mining towns are all options — we love the West Elk Loop for its combination of natural beauty, wildlife viewing and destination-worthy towns. Circling the West Elk Mountains, highlights include the charming towns of Carbondale and Crested Butte, fruit orchards and wineries in the North Fork Valley and the absolutely jaw-dropping beauty of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The route takes you past opportunities for boating, mountain biking and hot springs dips, plus live music and art festivals in the summertime.
New Mexico: The High Road to the Enchanted Circle
A road trip between Santa Fe and Taos — two standout New Mexico destinations — is a decided win. The route has beautiful scenery, a dose of history and is easily doable in an E.V. Start by accessing the state’s helpful E.V. planning tool and then hit the 56-mile High Road to Taos, which passes through villages with epic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Worthy stops include El Santuario de Chimayo, a church built in 1813 that’s still a destination for pilgrims. From Taos, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway winds through striking mountain scenery (some of which was featured in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”) and mountain towns like Red River and Questa — these towns are excellent bases for hiking, fishing and other outdoor adventures. A detour to Taos Ski Valley is well worth taking, both for a charge and for mountain biking.
Michigan: a coastal journey via Route 31
Route 31, along the aquamarine beauty of Lake Michigan, gives a whole new meaning to the coastal road trip. The approximately 330-mile route runs north from St. Joseph’s, through Traverse City and up to Charlevoix and Mackinaw City. In addition to being peppered with E.V. charging stations, the journey has miles of stunning beaches, state parks, charming communities and rural landscapes complete with orchards and vineyards. There are almost too many stops worth making, from hikes along the dunes in Muskegon State Park to must-eat cherry pies from the Cherry Hut in Beulah. Don’t miss grabbing a bushel of Red Haven peaches and watching the sunset on the beach at Grand Haven State Park, and celebrate your arrival in Charlevoix at the Earl hotel. While your car is charging, the rooftop Hi Bar provides excellent views of Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix.
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