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Electric Vehicle Trip Planner

Plan your next electric vehicle road trip and choose from more than 30,000 charging stations in Roadtrippers.

Select the Auto & RV Services category.

Click Filters and then select EV Charging.

Start planning your trip.

Choose a destination and then add charging stations along with your favorite road trip stops.

Start planning your trip

Classic American Road Trips

Explore the country in your electric vehicle. Here’s some of our favorite trips. Save them to your profile and start adding charging stations along your route.

A Highway 1 road trip along California’s Central Coast

The top things to do on a Route 66 road trip

The top things to do on an East Coast road trip

The top things to do on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

Get ready to hit the road.

Can you take a road trip in an electric vehicle?

Road trip tips: How to prepare for the road with snacks, apps, and entertainment

How to plan a road trip: 5 steps to get you ready to hit the road

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Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

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Plan your journey by electric car

The Chargemap route planner is here to help you plan the ideal trip that corresponds to your EV and preferences.

Download the Chargemap app for free on your mobile phone

Scores based on more than 45,000 ratings.

Hit the road in all peace of mind , Chargemap takes care of everything.

Indicate your departure point and destination, the battery level at the start of the journey and the level you want at the end of it, plus any midway stages.

Enter the EV you are taking on the journey.

Prioritise or limit a charging network, avoid tolls and motorways or log in a maximum speed to save on energy. The planner takes your charging preferences on board.

Chargemap automatically calculates your route and selects the charging stations that match up with the information you have logged in. You can also visualise your route directly: distance, overall travel time and the necessary charging stop(s) along the way.

Calculate your journey and come back to it whenever you want. Save time with the Save option for the route you have selected.

Access information about the charging station on the details screen and launch the navigation tool for your next charging stop on your favourite GPS app.

Where are you going?

What car model do you drive, you want to prioritise a charging network on your journey, enjoy the optimum route adapted to your needs, save your route, you're on your way.

Consult the charging stations in the vicinity

You want to see all the charging stations available along your route? Tap on the “Stations” button to find all the charging stations available in your vicinity.

Fine-tune your search for alternative stations

You want to take a charging break near a restaurant or go for a pub lunch? Click on the “Stations” icon then on the “Filter” cursor to fine-tune your charging preferences on your personalised route.

Adapt the Chargemap route to your needs and wishes.

You want to stay a little longer at a charging stop or set off again with a specific battery level.

When you reach a specific point along your way, you want to stop for longer to have a lunch break or take a stroll in the surrounding area. You can modify either the duration of your break, or the battery level you want before resuming your journey.

You need to charge near a specific location?

You want to profit from a charging stop to do a bit of sightseeing or go and see friends and family and so you are looking for a charging station in the vicinity. The route planner allows you to select an alternative charging station along the way.

Want to stop at a different charging station than the one selected?

With Chargemap, plan your ideal route by selecting the charging stations of your favourite networks. The tool automatically calculates a new route based on your preferences.

Electric vehicle charging, made easy

No need to juggle between different cards or applications, charge on most European charging networks with the Chargemap Pass.

The leading community of EV drivers in Europe is at your fingertips.

pierre-piet

"So helpful!"

"Chargemap is undeniably THE app to have when you drive an EV. It’s accurate and stuffed full of information. It really is the go-to app so you’re never left by the wayside! And all for free!"

Michel Barré

"Great app"

"Oh, so practical!"

"Practical"

"Crucial for every journey!"

Roberto Lerobi

"A must-have"

"One of the best apps when travelling by EV. For me, it’s the main app I use when driving long distances."

• Montpellier
• United Kingdom

Find charging stations

What is chargefinder.

Driving on electricity should be easy and then it must also be easy to find your way out in the jungle of all the charging stations in the United States and Canada.

We who started ChargeFinder ourselves experienced a need for an easy-to-navigate service with content that is both up to date and relevant.

No matter where in the world you are out driving, or planning to drive, you should be able to find suitable charging stations, see prices, availability in real time and get info on how to start charging.

ChargeFinder is continuously updated with new functions and new charging stations are added daily. Do you have suggestions and ideas for improvements or are you missing something? Feel free to send an email!

All relevant info in one place

The station page shows the charging speed, outlet type, number outlets, price, which operator owns the station, and other relevant location information.

With ChargeFinder's "Food and Shopping Nearby" it's easy to find out if there are eateries or other points of interest adjacent to the charging station.

To make it easier to find chargers nearby, there is always a list of the nearest charging stations close to the one you are currently viewing. From the overview, you can see station type, which operator owns the station as well as the distance to get there.

A click on the address opens a link to google for those who want to know more details about the place or see pictures.

Are there available charging stations near me?

With ChargeFinder, it is easy to get information about which charging stations are available right now. The information is retrieved in real time from various operators to ensure high reliability. Live status for all major operators in one place is unique and something ChargeFinder is the only one to show.

From the overview there is information about number of chargers that are available, occupied or out of order. With a simple click, the price and availability for each charger is displayed.

ChargeFinder continuously adds new stations and networks with Live status and has the ambition that all chargers that are connected should be included.

A Better Routeplanner

With ChargeFinder's route planner, it is easy to plan charging stops on the trip.

Enter between which cities or places you want to go and ChargeFinder calculates an optimal route based on your choices and criteria.

Quick chargers are shown on the map along the route and distances to the different chargers are presented in the list view. From the overview, it is quick to see if a charger is free or busy. Everything to facilitate planning and avoid queues.

See charging speed directly on the map

Destination chargers usually provide an output from 3 kW to 22 kW. Various shades of orange markers on the map means destination charging. Light orange means 3-7 kW and the darkest orange shade means 22 kW.

The most common are fast chargers that provide 50 kW which are shown in dark blue on the map. Superfast chargers (HPC - High Power Chargers) are chargers that give an effect from 100 kW up to 350 kW. Chargers with power over 100 kW are shown with a purple marker on the charging map.

Tesla and Ionity are visualized on the map with its icon for respective networks.

Updated content with high quality

ChargeFinder is continuously updated with new charging stations from the larger charging networks, individual smaller players and a variety of other data sources. The information is continuously supplemented and refined with the help of ambassadors and our growing community.

If a station is missing from the charging map, it is easy for anyone to add. It is also possible to edit and update information on all existing stations.

The combination of real-time data, a dedicated team and engaged users is what together creates high quality of our content.

ChargeFinder is where you are

Our ambition is to be available on all platforms and in all formats. ChargeFinder works with a modern browser on all types of devices and screen sizes.

ChargeFinder is available as an app for iOS and Android . Download the app from Apple App Store or Google Play .

ChargeFinder will eventually also be available as apps in Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Android Automotive.

Charging stations in cities

Specific city pages provide a good overview of charging stations in a particular city. For larger cities like Los Angeles , New York , San Francisco and Seattle you can find more information about charging stations.

Search for a city and you will land on a page for that particular city. City pages are available for both larger and smaller cities.

With a simple click, you can share a link to a city page with your friends and on social media. Or why not add a link from your own website.

Outlets/plugs and map filters

CCS is the European standard for fast charging and Type 2 for destination charging. Type 2 and CCS are combined in the same connector and is therefore often called CCS / Combo. CHAdeMO is a standard for fast charging which is mainly found on Asian car brands. Often offered both CCS and CHAdeMO on fast chargers, but CCS will dominate in Europe to come.

Tesla previously had its own standard, but is switching to CCS successively. In Europe, Tesla's v3 Superchargers are built with CCS only. So far, only Tesla's cars can charge at Superchargers.

Filters on the map make it easier to find the right one. Filter on charging speed, free charger, show or hide Tesla chargers and more. Soon there will also be the opportunity to filter on different network or to show what fits a particular car model.

Are there free charging stations near me or what is the charging cost?

Using your gps and our smart filters you can easily find the nearest free charging station for your car. For those that are not free or have paid parking you can read about this in the comments.

Price information is available for several charging networks and is updated regularly. In some countries, price information is already available for most charging stations, while in other countries we are working on adding prices for more networks.

If you have information about prices where this is missing for a certain operator or network, feel free to send us an e-mail and we will make sure to update.

Best EV Trip Planner Apps

Taking the anxiety out of a road trip with an ev route planner.

• 3/8/2024 (updated 4/2/2024 )

For most people, the best EV trip planner is likely already in your vehicle since the navigation systems on modern electric cars offer the ability to plan a route that factors in charger stops along the way. That's just one of several EV trip-planning options that can help map out your ideal road trip while assuaging potential range anxiety from an inconsistent charging infrastructure. Let's take a look at some of the best EV trip planners available, ranked in no particular order.

Factory navigation system

Google maps, a better route planner, ev navigation, am i ready for an ev.

Your first option is to use the built-in navigation that comes with your car. Most Tesla vehicles will insert recommended charging points along your route, taking a lot of the worry out of the experience. Teslas can also precondition your battery when you get close to a Supercharger station, which speeds up charging time and is better for the health of your EV's battery.

But not all vehicles come equipped with navigation systems, and the ones that do may not necessarily be your best option. Trying to map out your route ahead of time is more easily done on your phone or computer than by sitting in the driver's seat of your car. Luckily, you've got options.

You don't need to download a new app to get an EV-friendly route. Go to settings inside the Google Maps app, then select "Electric vehicle settings" and you'll have the option to select the compatible plugs for your electric vehicle. When you search "electric vehicle chargers," they will be filtered by the plug you selected in settings. This makes Google Maps handy for finding a charger you can actually use, but it cannot currently add charging stops to your route. It also can't tell you whether or not the charger is available, occupied, or in working order.

Google and Apple Maps are great for route planning on the go. But if you want to plan out your stops ahead of time, you may want to consider A Better Route Planner ( ABRP ). It's available on either your desktop computer or as an application for your smartphone. It allows you to provide information on your vehicle, including how full its charge is when you depart, and to filter out plug types based on your vehicle. ABRP offers a lot of information, including what it expects your vehicle's battery level will be when you arrive at your destination and how much energy you need to add at charging stops.

Unfortunately, ABRP can be a little clunky to use — especially on your phone. If user-friendliness is your top priority, you might want to consider using another application.

The EV Navigation planner is also available on your phone as an application and as a desktop site. It allows you to input the make and model of your vehicle, its battery level, the number of passengers in the vehicle, and the minimum state of charge you'd like your vehicle to have at your destination. Using those inputs gives you a route complete with charging stops. The app will provide estimates for how long you'll need to charge at each stop, what state of charge you should be charging to, and detailed information on the station. The app can be a little confusing and finicky for first-time users, and it's not great as a navigation app. However, it's a great tool for planning.

Edmunds says

The features and functionality of these EV trip planners can change over time, so make sure to try several of them to see which one works best for your needs.

Electric vehicle stories

Apple kills "icar" electric vehicle project, 2025 porsche boxster 718 ev photos: here's everything we know, tesla opens supercharger network to ford; here's how to get a free adapter, u-drag race: rivian r1t vs. ford f-150 raptor r | quarter mile, handling & more, join edmunds.

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Your EV. Your Way.

Using a simple system of colors and numbers the Chargeway App shows you where you can charge your EV and how long it will take. No guesswork. You’re in control.

Download And Charge Up

With the Chargeway App, you charge simpler and drive smoother.

Charging Stations

Chargeway includes over 80,000 charging stations from over 40 networks throughout the US and Canada. Add your EV and automatically see stations that match your EV’s plug type, easily see different power levels, and discover where electric fuel awaits.

EV Charging Station Map & Features

Vehicle Profiles

With the Chargeway App you have all of your vehicle info at your fingertips. Simply add your vehicle of choice, select your color, add a custom name and then adjust your battery levels to estimate charging time at any station.

Vehicle Profile Features

EV Trip Planner

Every great road trip starts with a game plan. Dial yours in with the Chargeway App’s EV Trip Planner–automatically calculating charging stops along your route with factors like charge time, outdoor temperature, and desired speed.

EV Trip Planner & Features

Have Questions? Chargeway can help.

PlugShare 4+

#1 ev charger map & community, recargo, inc..

• #20 in Navigation
• 4.7 • 105.5K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Download the most accurate EV and Tesla charging station map. PlugShare is the world’s largest EV driver community. Drivers contribute station reviews and photos to help the EV community make the most informed charging decisions possible. Drivers can filter the PlugShare map by plug type, including CHAdeMO and SAE/CCS, as well as charging speed, including Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Chargers such as Tesla Superchargers. You can also filter by charging provider – the PlugShare map includes detailed station information for every major EV charging network in North America, Europe, and much of the rest of the world, including: - ChargePoint - Tesla Destination - Electrify America - Supercharger - EVgo - FLO - SemaConnect - Shell Recharge - Renovatio Asset Management - Chargefox - Blink - SemaCharge - Volta - bp pulse - BC Hydro EV - GRIDSERVE Electric Highway - ChargeNet - Sun Country - NRMA - Petro-Canada - Circuit Electrique - Pod Point - Evie Networks - GeniePoint - Vector - Lidl eCharge - Ivy - Osprey Charging Network Ltd With PlugShare, you can: - Find public charging stations compatible with your EV (or EVs if you have multiple electric vehicles) - Filter for connector type, charging speed, and amenities like food or bathrooms - Check for station functionality and current availability - Link to your favorite navigation app for directions to your selected charger - Pay for charging with Pay with PlugShare (at participating locations) and monitor your session - Add new charging stations to the map as you discover them - Receive notifications when a new charger is installed nearby - Find all the charging stations along a road trip route with a built-in EV trip planner - Use PlugShare with Apple CarPlay to browse nearby charging locations, bookmarked locations, and trips you've planned from the built-in display of CarPlay compatible vehicles - And more! PlugShare helps drivers find chargers compatible with any EV, including Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, and Tesla Model 3; the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Bolt, VW ID.4, Nissan LEAF, BMW i3, Audi e-tron, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Porsche Taycan, Kia e-Niro, Volvo XC40, Polestar and all other electric vehicles on the market. Download PlugShare and join the PlugShare community today!

Version 7.11.0

We've added a yearly option for our Ad-Free subscription, based on the community's feedback. If you have any problems or feedback, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Ratings and Reviews

105.5K Ratings

Gave us flexibility and peace of mind planning routes across the country

Last month’s round trip between east coast and Kansas was our first in a new Model Y. In some areas like S Missouri good charging stations are scarce or nonexistent. Nobody wants to end up running out of juice and learn there’s no charging in range ahead-and backtracking is required. We carried cables and converters for all charger types, but never had to use anything but superchargers and lower power (and free) Tesla connections at several motels. Being able to map out entire 1500 mile northern and southern routes, planning for adequate charging and our overnight stops was pretty easy and confidence building. It took only an hour or so the evening before each of our 1500 mile legs. Then we were free to enjoy the drive and scenery with no anxiety. PlugShare is a very nice complement to Tesla’s on board navigation to one’s next charge station.

Developer Response ,

This is so amazing to hear and happy to hear that PlugShare has been your go to for your road trips! We hope you continue to enjoy them and us by your side. Thanks for the 5 star review.

No user editing ability

Apparently, the ability to edit a charging station’s information has been removed from recent app versions. One of PlugShare’s great strengths WAS its crowd-sourced information by actual charger station users/customers. I tried to update a local station that recently added a Tesla plug, but I cannot find a way to edit. And the app’s Help feature provides inaccurate editing instructions that are apparently no longer available. Update: The developer has informed me that some station owners request that the users be barred from editing their listings. Good to know. I have three suggestions. First, I’d suggest that PlugShare develop a process to enable and encourage these station owners to keep their listings up to date (e.g. “New Tesla connector available at this station.”). If users can’t edit station info, the owners should make darn sure to update their listings to reflect changes in status and features. Second, the app’s Help function should explain that some stations may not be editable by users. (Currently, the Help function doesn’t mention this, and that’s unnecessarily confusing. Third, station listings should clearly indicate whether stations may or may not be edited by users right on the listing (perhaps in place of the edit button?). My rating stands at 3 Stars. PlugShare remains an essential EV app, but its usefulness has declined as a result of these changes.

Please note some locations do not have the ability to be edited as these may be locations where the CPO directly feed us information about the station. Due to this, they have requested that no information be tampered with, which we have agreed to hold, thus the location being "locked" from editing. This usually occurs from major charge point operators. However, there may be times where the information is not up to date and a user wants to add this, but will still be locked as we will receive the data from them. We do thank you for your interest in wanting to keep PlugShare locations up to date and still have many where users can do this, but for some, this will not be possible. We thank you for your understanding and hope you continue enjoy using PlugShare!

This is frustrating!!!

I live in the city of Houston and my apartment won’t let me plug into the wall outlet in my apartment, so I have to drive around the city of Houston when I’m traveling trying to find somewhere to plug my car in and it seems that every day charging stations are either broken, removed, or un accessible. I feel that you all in your pinpoint should reflect whether or or not that particular charging station is actually available to the public i.e. whether or not it’s in a residential apartment complex and it’s available to the public or at a hotel that has a gate or is someone’s business that is not accessible. I feel that your pinpoint should reflect so and it should be clearly stated so that a person running out of charge doesn’t drive around to all these different stations that are accessible. Otherwise it is a great app and very useful for planning trips and knowing where you can find charging stations along the way thank you very much.

App Privacy

The developer, Recargo, Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

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• PlugShare Ad-Free (Monthly) $0.99
• PlugShare Ad-Free (Annual) $9.99
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Electrify America

ChargeHub EV Charge Point Map

A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)

EVgo EV Chargers

ChargePoint®

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Plan the ultimate road trip in your electric vehicle using Chargeseeker.

Choose your starting point and destination and Chargeseeker will plan your route, including recommended stops at EV charging stations plus nearby points of interest, such as: Cafés, Restaurants, Shopping, Pharmacies, Accommodations, Attractions, Outdoor Activities

Screenshots

Enjoy a cup of coffee, explore local shops, parks and attractions or grab a bite to eat while your vehicle charges nearby. Customizable filters and preferences ensure that each route is tailored to your needs.

Featuring EV stations from major EV charging networks, Chargeseeker allows users to filter by connection type, including:

Tesla Supercharger

J-1722 (type 1).

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Find your next EV charging station with ChargeHub, the best EV charging station app

The ChargeHub app is designed to help all the electric car drivers in the United States and in Canada.

ChargeHub App Features

Find all the charging stations in north america.

ChargeHub aggregates all the charging stations in North America in an easy to use interface. With its search feature and filter option, you can easily find the nearest public charging stations for your electric car.

Customizable profile

Create a profile that responds to your need; build your own bookmarks, save your filters and customize your notifications to know when there is a new public charging station in your area.

Most accurate and detailed information

• Charging station level (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 (DC Fast Charger))
• Charging station connector (CHAdeMO, J1772, Tesla, etc.)
• Availability of the charging station

Easily plan your EV trip

• Quickly find your next charging point with the filter tool and search feature
• Know the distance in km or miles to your next charging point
• Get the directions using Google maps, Apple maps or Waze

Easily connect with other electric car drivers

Easily communicate with other users with the in app messaging system. Request to unplug a user’s electric car, coordinate your charging or ask for any other info you need to charge your EV.

Be a member of an active EV community

Join a vibrant community that is committed to helping anyone charge everywhere. Add a new public charging station when you see one. Check-in, leave comments, add photos and edit the station information while you are using it.

Thanks to all the features available on the ChargeHub app, it is the best EV charging station app to help all the electric car drivers in North America plan their EV trip.

The chargehub app is free and is available on ios and android.

Plan longer electric journeys

Use our EV route planner to see where to stop on longer routes, what's available in those areas, and how long you’ll need to charge.

Find the best route for your car

With our ev route planner.

Zapmap’s route planner provides peace of mind and the confidence to drive any length of journey in your EV. With access to the widest choice of charging options and real-time availability status, our route planner helps you plot a journey that’s tailored to your needs, whether it’s a family adventure or a solo mission.

EV route planning

Different routing modes

to suit your preferences

Peace of mind

on longer journeys

Zapmap Premium

With a number of ways to quickly locate charge points tailored to your needs, Zapmap Premium helps you drive smarter. On top of filters for new charge points and multi-charger locations, Premium gets Zapmap into your in-car dashboard via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can locate suitable charge points, view live charge point status and access route plans - all while on the move. What's more, with Premium you can save unlimited filters, route plans and EV models.

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The Best 6 Apps for EV Route Planning

Planning a trip in your EV? Don't go without downloading one of these EV route planning apps.

If you're on a road trip in the US, you have access to over 100,000 gas stations across the country. That's more than double the number of public charging stations where you can charge an EV.

Because charging an EV takes longer than filling up a combustion car, you should know exactly where to find EV chargers along your route. For that, you need to use apps on your smartphone, so here are the best apps for EV route planning.

1. Tesla App

According to Statista , Tesla is the most popular EV brand in the world. If you drive a Tesla, you would be better suited to use its app for route planning because it grants you access to over 35,000 Superchargers across the country—this is the biggest EV charging network in North America.

Owners of non-Tesla EVs with the CCS charging connector can also use the Tesla app to access Tesla Magic Dock Superchargers, which you can find in a handful of locations in North America. Brands like Ford, Rivian, Polestar, Volvo, and GM announced their EVs will access the Tesla Supercharger network by early 2024, and they will be equipped with NACS ports and adapters. This means that if you’re driving a non-Tesla EV, you will have the privilege of having native access to Tesla Supercharger stations in North America.

But if you're driving a Tesla, you have the privilege to request roadside assistance and schedule service maintenance through the app. Another cool feature is being able to track your vehicle's location on your phone. If you're not a Tesla driver, you could use other apps to track your car .

Download: Tesla for Android | iOS (Free)

2. EV Hotels

If you want to sleep in a hotel and charge your vehicle overnight, the EV Hotels app can make it easier for you. Its map displays hotels that offer EV charging stations along your route. It also lets you know which levels of chargers are available in the hotels: standard, fast, or Superchargers.

If you can't find a hotel with EV chargers along your route, the app will recommend amenities with ample parking and chargers nearby. Subscribed members can reserve a hotel room and charging spot in advance and garner reward points in their favorite hotel brands across the country.

Download: EVHotels for iOS ($2.99)

3. A Better Route Planner

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is available on the Google Play Store and App Store; you can also install it on your car's dashboard screen web browser. Unlike Tesla's app, which is limited to its Supercharger network, A Better Route Planner covers all the public EV chargers on your route. Better yet, you can connect it to your Tesla account to share your driving data to help improve accuracy.

If you're not driving a Tesla, you can include your car model details on the app to calculate your range, charging time, and energy consumption. Beyond that, the ABRP app also tells you the road conditions, wind, temperature, weather, and routes to avoid—basically, everything you need to know to plan your trip without any hiccups.

Download: A Better Route Planner for Android | iOS (Free)

4. PlugShare

PlugShare is one of the most popular EV route-planning apps. What makes it unique is that it doesn't require you to register an account to find nearby public EV chargers. However, if you set up an account, you can include your EV car model to predict your range and charging time accurately. The app will also tell you the compatible plugs for your EV at each charging station.

What's more, you can use the app to find locations with amenities lodging, dining, Wi-Fi, restrooms, valet parking, and shopping. The best part is that the PlugShare app is free and covers almost all countries worldwide.

One downside is that the Plugshare app doesn't automatically let you know which chargers are occupied. You have to manually check which charging stalls are free every time you’re approaching a charging stop.

Download: PlugShare app for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Charge Point

If you hate driving to a station and finding a charger you thought was available is occupied, the ChargePoint app can solve that problem. If a charging station is busy, the app will notify you using a blue pin, and if a charger is available, you will see a location with a green pin on the app.

Before using a charging station, you can use the app to calculate how much you will spend to top up your EV. It also lets you know the charging status of your EV and the estimated charging time.

Besides that, you can use the ChargePoint app to access over 31,000 charging points in North America, including chargers located around major US university campuses . This makes it the second-largest EV charging network provider in the U.S. after Tesla. You can charge any EV brand at ChargePoint stations, and the service provider is also adopting Tesla’s NACS connectors.

We also like that ChargePoint has partnered with hotels and convenience stores to offer exclusive discounts to its app customers. Better yet, you can integrate this app into your home charger so that you can monitor your EV anytime you want—but you first need to make your home EV ready .

Download: ChargePoint app for Android | iOS (Free)

6. Google Maps

Even though you can't use Google Maps to estimate the range of your electric vehicle, it can tell you the speed and type of port supported by nearby charging stations. If you're living in the US or UK, Google Maps will provide real-time data on available charging stations, so you don't have to line up.

But what gives Google Maps an advantage over other apps for EV routing is that it can show all the amenities along your route—from garages, restaurants, and hotels to convenience stores. In addition to that, you can activate Google Assistant Driving Mode by using Google Maps.

Download: Google Maps for Android | iOS (Free)

Find the Best EV Route Planning Apps for You

If you're planning a trip in your EV, it's best to use several of these planning apps simultaneously. Yes, you read that right. For instance, if you want to find the most convenient hotels for charging EVs, your best options would be Google Maps and EV Hotels.

But if you want a route planner that can accurately tell you everything about your EV battery's status, you should consider A Better Route Planner and the Tesla app.

Similarly, the PlugShare app has one of the largest databases of public EV chargers in the world, and the Charge Point app will tell you if a charging station is busy. It's up to you to find the most suitable app for your EV route planning.

The ultimate guide to road tripping with an electric car

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

The past couple of years have changed the travel world in many ways, but two things stand out to me: road trips and electric cars.

Early in the pandemic, we saw road trips take the spotlight during a coronavirus-fueled dip in air travel. Even after vaccines helped air travel rebound, many travelers still prefer to take the great American road trip when visiting national parks , cities and everywhere in between.

At the same time, more and more drivers are switching to electric cars, with adoption steadily rising both in the U.S. and abroad. This has become more prevalent as gas prices continue to rise due to world conflict and supply chain issues, and even rental car companies have begun to add EVs to their fleets.

Related: 5 lessons learned from taking a road trip in the age of coronavirus

After a summer of rental car road trips, I purchased a used 2016 BMW i3 in August 2020. It's a range-extended electric compact car, meaning that it also has a small gas motor that can charge the battery on the go. This, combined with the car being a hatchback, makes it — in my opinion — the ultimate road trip vehicle for those living in a major city like New York .

Since buying the i3, I've taken it on a couple of short trips. It's a different experience than road tripping with a gas car, and newcomers to the electric car world might be deterred if they don't know what to expect.

In this article, I'll share some tips I've picked up while on the road with my EV. I'll discuss everything from what to look for when buying an EV for road trips to how to find charging stations. I'll also share some trip-planning tips.

Let's dive (drive?) in!

For more curated TPG travel tips and recommendations delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter .

Choosing an electric car for road trips

There are some important considerations if you're in the market for an electric car and plan on road tripping it. Here are some elements to examine as you go through the car buying process, such as car range and whether or not you should purchase a plug-in hybrid.

Related: Should I buy a used car instead of renting this summer?

Criteria for a road-trip capable electric car

It's important to look for a car that has appropriate range for the trips you plan to take. So, don't buy a car with an 80-mile range if you plan to take 500+ mile road trips regularly. That said, you don't need an ultra-long-range electric car for these trips. Something like the BMW i3 94ah has a 153-mile range which — if you don't mind making a few stops — can be a good bet for longer trips.

Consider a long-range Tesla or a Chevrolet Bolt if you want to avoid frequent charges. These cars have well over 200 miles of electric range. This means you're subject to less charging stops, but you'll generally spend more on the car. This is especially true on the used market where long-range cars tend to have a higher resale value.

In my opinion, road trippers should avoid cars like the Fiat 500e and the electric Mercedes-Benz B-Class. These cars have sub-100-mile electric range and don't offer a range extender option. That means you'll have to charge frequently on long trips. Further, these cars may not be able to handle longer trips that don't have chargers en route.

Related: The pros and cons of Amex's Auto Purchasing Program

Consider a plug-in hybrid or range-extended vehicle

Further, you may want to consider an electric car that's not fully electric. You have two options here: plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles. The former are essentially standard hybrid vehicles with larger batteries that can be charged externally. These cars generally have 15 to 50 miles of electric range and full-size gas tanks.

That said, these vehicles don't have a fully electric driving experience and don't generally offer fast charging options (more on that soon). I find these cars less fun to drive and — if you want to drive in electric mode — considerably more inconvenient to charge. At the same time, they can make great road-trip vehicles with a gas engine.

On the other hand, range-extended electric cars are fully electric vehicles with a small gas motor. This motor effectively charges the car's battery to provide additional range when driving long distances. My BMW i3 is equipped with the range extender option, and it's saved me on longer trips where I find myself far away from a public charger.

I prefer range-extended cars to plug-in hybrids since you always have the electric driving experience (think: immediate torque). Plus, these cars are usually equipped with fast charging and other EV-specific technology features.

Related: The best credit cards for purchasing a car

DC fast charging is key for a sane road trip

Here's a big one: only purchase a car with included DC fast charging if you plan on road tripping. More and more fast chargers are popping up around the country which can charge a vehicle — as in the case of the BMW i3 — to 80% in just 45 minutes. This is possible as fast chargers — commonly called Level 3 chargers — provide up to 250kW+ per hour.

On the other hand, a vehicle without this option can only use Level 2 public chargers, which charge at around 11kW per hour. This is still faster than plugging in at home but will take a ton of extra time to charge when on the go. Going back to the i3 example, it takes around three hours to charge from 0% to 80%.

This option is even more important when on long road trips. If you have to wait hours every time your vehicle runs low on battery, it will take you quite a long time to get to your destination. On the other hand, a 45-minute stop is enough time to grab lunch and set navigation to your next charge point or final destination.

Thankfully, almost all new fully electric vehicles and range-extended cars are equipped with fast charging. Some older electric cars don't have this option, though, so make sure to inquire about it before you go for a test drive. Some cars that aren't equipped with this feature include some 2014 and 2015 BMW i3s, all models of the Fiat 500e and some older Nissan Leafs.

Check battery degradation when buying a used car

Plan on buying used? Make sure to check the car's battery status before you buy. Like all batteries, the battery inside of an electric car will degrade over time. This is normal, but excessive degradation can make your road trip life difficult. You can usually check battery status on the car's infotainment system.

Thankfully, most electric cars have long battery warranties. For example, my used BMW i3 has a 100,000 mile/eight-year warranty on the battery, meaning I'm covered through 2024 on my 2016 model. According to BMW, a battery replacement can be authorized if a battery degrades 30% or more during the warranty period.

How to plan a road trip with an electric car

As discussed, road tripping with an electric car is different than with a gas car. It requires a bit more planning for pure electric vehicles which — while tedious — isn't too bad once you get the hang of it. Let's take a look at how I plan road trips in my electric car.

Plan your route around fast chargers and be mindful of range

First things first: You'll need to charge when out on the road, so you must plan your driving route around available public chargers located near highways, expressways or wherever else you're driving. You'll need to charge before your battery dies to avoid calling roadside assistance , but there's a bit more to it than this.

Unfortunately, electric car range is dynamic. You'll use more battery when accelerating quickly, going up hills and when using climate control. Always give yourself at least a 10% buffer when looking for chargers. This means that if you have a car with a 100-mile range, plan chargers that are no more than 90 miles apart.

Additionally, try and stick to fast chargers when you're on the road. This ensures that you're not stuck at a given charger for hours while waiting for your car to charge. Instead, you can plug in for 30 to 40 minutes and you're back on the road without issue.

You can plan your trips manually or use an app like PlugShare. I'll go in-depth on this app in the next section, but in short, it's a crowdsourced directory of all chargers available near your location. The app's built-in route planner can be a huge timesaver when mapping out long, multi-charge road trips.

Look for hotels with chargers

Another way to save time on charging is by staying at hotels that offer electric car charging in their parking lots or garages. These are becoming more and more common, and oftentimes charging is either free or included with the parking fee. These are generally Level 2 chargers, though, so they're best suited for charging overnight.

No charging at your hotel? Ask the hotel staff if they have an outdoor plug you can use. Most electric vehicles include a Level 1 wall charger that can be used with any standard wall socket. If the hotel is OK with it, this charger will slowly charge your vehicle overnight and give you at least enough power to make it to your next destination.

Related: 7 mistakes every road tripper makes at least once

Use these apps and charging networks to find public chargers

Now that you know how to plan a trip, let's take a look at the best way to find public chargers. As mentioned in the last section, several charging networks exist nationwide in the U.S. Some of these include ChargePoint and Electrify America. That said, there are many non-networked public chargers that you can find in parking garages and on city streets.

Here's a look at the apps and charging networks I use on electric car road trips. Before you head out on your first electric road trip, make sure to download these.

PlugShare for most public chargers

PlugShare is a community-powered electric charger app. You can use this app to view networked, non-networked and home chargers that are open to the public. Even better, you can sort chargers by speed, connector type and cost. This can be immensely helpful when trying to find a fast charger on a long trip.

Further, the app has a trip-planning feature that will help you find electric car charge points along a given route. Just enter your origin and destination and the app will show you all the chargers nearby. You can even input your car's range to plan your route around charging stops.

Tesla owners are also in luck with the ChargePoint app. It shows all Tesla Destination Chargers, SuperChargers and other compatible chargers on the map. Just toggle on the Tesla connector in the app and locations will appear on the map.

ChargePoint has chargers around the US

ChargePoint is one of the biggest electric car charging networks in the U.S., offering both Level 2 and Level 3 chargers in major cities and along some major highways. Many ChargePoint locations will show on the PlugShare app, but I recommend downloading both apps, as PlugShare will often miss specific chargers. Also, you can use the ChargePoint app to pay for charging at several charging locations.

One word of caution: The ChargePoint app sometimes shows chargers that aren't available for public use. This is especially the case here in New York where many city vehicles have transitioned to plug-in hybrids or full electric vehicles. Keep an eye out for this when looking for places to charge.

Electrify America for DC fast chargers near highways

In the Northeast, I almost exclusively use Electrify America chargers on road trips. The company has a huge network of fast chargers located both within cities and near major highways, usually located at Walmarts, Targets and other shopping centers. Pricing is pretty reasonable, too — it varies based on how fast you're able to charge and you can get a discount by signing up for a membership ($4 per month).

Using these chargers is remarkably simple. Just drive up, plug in your car and select the charger you're using on the Electrify America app to start charging. The charge fee is billed to your credit card after you're finished charging.

One downside to Electrify America, however, is that its stations can be unreliable. On a recent drive from Philadelphia to New York, I stopped at a charger only to find three of the four available chargers were out of service. The fourth charger was in use, so I called tech support who offered me a free fill-up at a nearby charger.

Earn bonus miles on electric car charging

Since you'll usually pay for charging when on the road, why not earn miles in the process? Most chargers do not code as travel, so you'll want to use a credit card that earns extra points on general spending . There's a variety of these cards on the market, and some of our favorites include:

• The Blue Business®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express (2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar, giving you a 4% return based on TPG's valuation )
• Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% cash back/1.5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for a 3% return based on TPG's valuation )
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (2 miles per dollar on purchases, giving you a 2.8% return based on TPG's valuations )

If you're completing a credit card spending requirement , you may want to use it to pay for your charging. For example, I use my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for charging so I can earn bonus Medallion Qualifying Miles to qualify for Delta elite status .

Related: Maximizing points and miles on summer road trips

Bottom line

Road tripping in an electric car is different from a road trip in a gasoline car, but it's still fun. In fact, I've often found that road trips are more enjoyable in my EV as I see new places I otherwise wouldn't. On top of this, money saved on gas can be used to stay in better hotels and eat at nicer restaurants. Sounds like a win-win to me.

I think the biggest takeaway is to always be mindful of your range. Planning your route along charge points and stopping to charge before you need to charge is key to an enjoyable and stress-free trip. If this isn't for you, consider a range-extended electric car or a plug-in hybrid for more flexibility.

Drive safe!

Feature photo by Andrew Kunesh/The Points Guy.

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The Best EV Trip Planners: Top tools + route planning

If you are a new owner of an electric vehicle (EV) or are planning to rent one, you might be worried about how to find a charger if you need one. Maybe you are planning a road trip, need to drive long distances for work, or just want to know where to find one on your way to or from a destination. Luckily, there are several EV trip planners available, both in online and app form. We’ll tell you about some of them so you can find the best EV trip planner to meet your needs.

Chargetrip is an innovative EV trip planner which provides information about charging stations, including their availability, charging speeds, and compatibility with different EV models . This ensures an easy location and access to the charging infrastructure along their journey and minimizing range anxiety for drivers. Chargetrip also considers real-time data, such as traffic conditions and weather , to optimize routes and estimate accurate travel times. It takes into account the energy consumption of the vehicle, for helping you minimizing charging stops . Additionally, Chargetrip offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive features, allowing you to customize your preferences and plan personalized trips.

ChargeHub offers an EV trip planner that shows you charging stations along your route. You’ll need to enter a start and end location to begin, then you can enter trip details like what unit of measurement you’d like to use. There is also the option to customize your trip by choosing a maximum charging station distance from your route or distance between stations. The tool also offers turn-by-turn directions and the ability to save and share your routes. One thing to note: The trip planner is only available for the US and Canada.

Availability: Online , iOS and Android apps

A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)

You can use this app worldwide to plan your next trip in an EV. Enter the vehicle model and your destination, and you’ll get information like where to stop for charging and how long the trip will take. There is also the option to add waypoints if you want to make stops along the way. You can also use the app’s driving mode for navigation if you need to. However, users say that the tool is best for pre-planning your trip rather than relying on it for navigation, which can sometimes be buggy.

As both an app and online tool, PlugShare allows you to find nearby charging stations based on the type of charger you need, brand of charging station like Tesla Supercharger and Shell Recharge, and more. There’s also a trip planner where you put in your starting location and destination and it gives you driving directions and shows chargers along the way that correspond with your filters. You can name your trip and save it for easy access later when you’re on the road. You have to register to use the Trip Planner, but it’s free. Other features of PlugShare also require registration to use, like writing reviews, saving your vehicle and charger filters, and getting alerts when chargers open up near you.

Availability: Online , iOS app

EVNavigation

You can use this app and website to get turn-by-turn navigation and route planning for your EV. There is the option to find charging stations, but you can also enter your vehicle make and model and it will calculate the range you can cover based on different parameters like wind and temperature. The tool also takes into account the charging time and planned route, so you get the fastest route with the shortest amount of time waiting for charging.

Roadtrippers

The popular app and online road trip planner allows you to filter for EV charging. After entering your starting and ending locations, you can go to the Fuel & Rest Stops category and click on filters. Select Electric Vehicle Charging and you’ll see options along your route. You can sort by popularity or rating, and also click on each charger to see information about it like opening hours.

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Tesla owners share their best tips for taking an EV on a road trip

Posted: August 19, 2023 | Last updated: August 19, 2023

• Tesla owners and a renter described their experience taking the EV on cross-country road trips.
• Some Tesla owners highlighted the benefits of taking the EV on long trips
• Take a look at some of their tips for taking a Tesla on a road trip.

While some EV owners have shared horror stories about taking an electric car on a road trip, some Tesla owners say those drivers probably just haven't mastered the learning curve yet.

Eight Tesla veterans and a first-time Tesla renter shared some tips on how to execute a successful EV road trip in a series of conversations with Insider — from avoiding certain routes to planning ahead and getting creative on the road.

Range anxiety and a lack of charging infrastructure are key hurdles when it comes to EV adoption, but Tesla owners say it's possible to ditch concerns about charging on the road and even lean into some of the benefits of taking an electric car across the country, including saving on gas and enjoying Tesla amenities like Autopilot . Still, some drivers say road trips in a Tesla can be a major headache.

Here's what Tesla owners say about their experiences taking the car on a long road trip.

Most people's first road trip can be anxiety-ridden, but learn to trust the car, owners said.

Many Tesla owners said it's common to feel anxious on your first EV road trip.

"After the first outbound trip when I was being very careful and charging to a higher percentage than necessary at each stop, I learned to trust what my Tesla was telling me about the state of charge, my expected range, and that there were chargers along the way," Dennis Duncan, a Model Y owner who has taken his EV on cross-country trips, including on an annual trip from Washington state to Montana, told Insider.

It's best to start out with smaller trips and stay near interstates, drivers said.

"Start somewhere within 200 miles of your origin and become accustomed to the range and how your driving impacts it," said Ken Vizena, a Model Y owner who has taken his vehicle on numerous cross-country trips. "Don't start off driving cross country. Start off with medium trips in hugely populated areas."

Vizena said it's important to pay attention to not only how many charging stations are along your route, but also where they are located along the path. He said new Tesla owners should ask themselves several questions before they set off on a road trip with their EV, namely: How far off course will the chargers take you? Are they located in areas where you would feel safe waiting?

Most Tesla owners agree the Supercharger network is a major advantage.

Tesla has spent over a decade building out more than 20,000 Superchargers in North America, earning it the region's largest network of roadside fast chargers. Moreover, Superchargers are widely regarded as more reliable and easy to use than other networks' chargers. Non-Tesla EV owners rely on a shakier patchwork of public chargers , which can be difficult to find and are plagued by reliability issues .

"I couldn't even imagine being with another car company and relying on third-party chargers," Jonathan Baalke, a Model 3 owner in Kentucky who says he drives over 150 miles a day for work, previously told Insider. "It's hard to have range anxiety when you have access to Tesla's network, but if I was with any other brand's cars, I would definitely have some concerns."

More recently, the EV company has said it plans to open some of its exclusive Supercharger network to non-Tesla EV companies like Ford and General Motors .

Some Tesla owners said charging on your road trip isn't too bad if you use it as a natural break to eat lunch or stretch your legs — so long as you're at a Supercharger.

"I stop to charge about every four hours," David Craig, a Model S owner who recently took his Tesla on a 8,500-mile road trip, said. "It's just a natural stopping point. Even if you were driving a traditional car you'd want to take breaks and fuel up. I plug it in at a Supercharger and usually there's a restaurant nearby where I grab lunch."

A Supercharger can recharge a Tesla with up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes, according to the company's website . A Model 3 standard vehicle delivers an estimated range of about 333 miles, according to Tesla. And the carmaker's longest-range vehicle, the Model S, can deliver an estimated range of up to 405 miles, the company says.

Some Tesla owners said it's best to plan where you will charge on the trip well in advance.

"It requires a lot of planning to take a road trip with an EV," Leonard Zuga, a Model Y owner who plans to take his vehicle on a trip from Ohio to Florida, told Insider. "I use multiple systems, including Tesla's onboard system. I know what hotels and Superchargers I will use before we've even started packing. Every hotel I select is within a few minutes of a Supercharger. If you do not like planning ahead you won't do well as an EV owner."

Zuga said he's using ChatGPT, and several charge-planning applications, including EV Trip Optimizer and PlugShare , to plan his trip to Florida in addition to the car's internal navigation system. It will be the longest road trip he's taken yet with the vehicle.

Vizena said he liked to plan ahead using a site called A Better Route Planner .

Other Tesla owners said they feel comfortable relying solely on the car's internal navigation system.

Brian Loughman, a Model 3 owner, said he typically relies solely on the internal navigation system, which incorporates charging sites into the journey and alerts drivers to which charging sites it predicts will be most efficient and which ones are busier. It's a favorite feature among Tesla owners.

"Hop in the car while connected to your home charger and program the full route into the car," Loughman told Insider over email. "It will tell you where to stop, how low your battery will be when you get there, and how many minutes you'll need to charge before continuing on your route."

Though, sometimes the internal navigation system can lead you astray, some Tesla owners said.

"It took me into an Indian reservation, and the path ended at a gate that said, 'Your GPS is wrong, turn around,'" Vizena told Insider of one of his road trips from Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles. "I had to backtrack to the Supercharger 40 miles away and ignore the built-in map."

Some rural routes you might want to avoid altogether, some Tesla owners said.

Vizena told Insider he's avoided taking his Tesla on trips to more rural states like Idaho or Montana. Zuga and Ken Becker, a Model 3 owner, said when they drove through Ohio Superchargers were few and far between. And Duncan said there's some road trips he's had to put off until Tesla's charging network grows more.

William Scholtz, who rented a Model 3 from Hertz for a cross-country, monthlong trip, said he and his wife weren't able to go to all the places they'd anticipated because they were constrained by a lack of charging options.

"We planned to visit a friend who farms near Sylvia, Kansas, but it was impossible," Scholtz said. "There are simply no charging stations of any kind that would bring us to his farm and back."

Scholtz said the couple attempted to trickle-charge at another point in their journey, but it took too long.

Even so, It's not the end of the world if you can't find a Supercharger.

If you have the patience, you can get by with trickle-charging, some Tesla owners said.

Zuga said he likes to charge his Tesla at RV outlets when he camps. Becker said it makes sense to trickle-charge or use a slower, Level 1 charger, if you're staying in one place for a while.

 A trickle charge can take up to 50 hours or more to bring an EV from empty to 80% of capacity, while a Level 2 charger can do so in four to 10 hours, according to the Department of Transportation.

Insider previously reported that a Model Y owner used a trickle-charge to visit a remote monument in California. "It was only a standard 120V outlet, so we would be trickle charging , not supercharging, but that was sufficient to more than replace, overnight, whatever energy we used on our daily excursions around the Monument," the Model Y owner, Kathleen Goforth said in a blog post about her road trip.

Don't be in too much of a hurry; just enjoy the journey, some Tesla owners said.

"If you're in a major hurry to get to your destination an EV might not be the best idea," Scholtz said. "It will take longer to charge than filling up your tank. It will take time to find chargers on your route, and sometimes those chargers take you off a direct route. Also, if you're driving too fast that will only decrease your range. "

There are also some perks to taking a Tesla on a road trip. Owners said they have fewer worries about maintenance issues on long trips.

"A lot more can fail on an internal combustion engine," Craig said. "Your biggest worry with a Tesla is that you'll get a flat tire.

Driving a Tesla means no more oil changes, and an EV requires less upkeep overall, according to data from Consumer Reports . 

"With an ICE vehicle there is anxiety about a variety of mechanical things like overheating, engine problems of many kinds, or brake burnout going down major grades or in mountain driving," Duncan said. "A Tesla won't overheat and actually recharges your battery going downhill instead of overheating and wearing out your brakes."

Though, Teslas aren't fully immune to breaks. Vizena said he had to spend an entire road trip with a broken air conditioner in his Tesla and showed a picture where the internal temperature in his car reached 99 degrees.

Tesla owners also enjoy not having to spend money on gas during long road trips.

As of July, the average electric car owner could save between $1,000 to $1,200 per year in fuel costs as compared to using an EV charger, according to Consumer Reports. The publication found that EV owners will continue to save money in overall operating and maintenance costs as long as the price for gasoline remains above 50 cents per gallon.

"It's hard to explain the glee of driving by a gas station knowing you don't have to worry about the prices anymore," Nelson Jackson, a Model S owner, previously told Insider.

The car can also be ideal for camping, one owner said.

Craig said he used Tesla's Camp Mode  to sleep in his Model S during his 19-day road trip.

The feature lets the car keep a steady temperature in the cabin, as well as proper airflow. You can also listen to music, stream television, turn on lights, or charge devices while the vehicle is in the mode. The  feature , which was introduced in 2021, uses significantly less energy and even has a video of a crackling fire.

It is one of many specialized Tesla features , including Dog Mode and Sentry Mode.

"With a traditional car you'd have to turn it off, it would get cold and you have to turn it back on," Craig said. "In my Tesla, the temperature stays perfect and I'm comfortable all night long."

Autopilot and Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta feature are also a major plus for relaxing on the road, some drivers said.

All Tesla models are equipped with the Autopilot feature, which enables a car to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within its lane. The function does not replace the role of a driver, but is intended to make driving easier and cut down on accidents. Some drivers can also opt into Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, a beta feature that costs $15,000 — or $199 per month — and allows the vehicle to change lanes, as well as recognize stop lights and stop signs.

Earlier this year, Model S owner Tim Heckman told Insider the driver assist features were a "lifesaver" on his 6,392-mile road trip.

"It can be a huge cognitive relief. Long trips can take a mental toll," Heckman said at the time, noting that he'sd used Autopilot on previous road trips and discovered he could drive further without getting tired.

Zuga told Insider Autopilot is one of several features that he feels make road trips less stressful and safer in a Tesla.

"Driving that car is a lot less tiring than driving a gas vehicle because of all of the extra driver features like the cameras all around the car and Autopilot," Zuga said. "I can put the blinker on and get a good look of the whole left side and behind and when I'm slowing down and regenerative braking kicks in and you know your tailights are on. It just gives you better situational awareness."

But, not everyone is sold on the features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Autopilot  and its potential connection to several accidents and the California Department of Motor Vehicles has  accused the company  of falsely advertising its Autopilot and FSD features.

Despite the perks, some road trippers say they'd still rather stick to a traditional vehicle.

Scholtz said he wasn't fully sold on buying a Tesla after he rented one through Hertz for his road trip. He said his experience renting the EV went downhill fast when he had to take it to more rural areas and he faced a lot of stress with the vehicle's range, as well as finding chargers along his route.

"It was nail biting," Scholtz said, adding that while he thinks the Model 3 is a great car it doesn't fit his lifestyle.

"I still prefer my F-150 with its 40 gallon tank that gives me a 700 miles range."

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

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Plug In, Charge and Go

With plenty of range for both daily drives and road trips, Tesla vehicles get you where you want to go. Charging is fast, convenient and available anywhere with electricity.

While You Sleep

Plug in at home or at nearby public chargers.

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Charge at a local Supercharger or at your workplace.

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Recharge at Superchargers on the way or at your destination .

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Finds the best route to avoid traffic and charge if needed.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Thinking of taking a last-minute drive to see the eclipse here's what to know.

Geoff Brumfiel

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred. AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred.

NASA says that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of this year's total solar eclipse, and a little under half of the U.S. population lives within 200 miles driving distance of the path of totality .

That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you're still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here's what to consider.

Have some destinations in mind, and check the weather and cloud cover forecasts in advance

It's a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.

There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory . You can use them to figure out what sites might work best for you.

In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you'll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.

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During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho "because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to."

Before driving into the path of totality, make sure your gas tank is full and that you've got everything you need

During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, it's estimated some 5 million people took to the roads, and those numbers will potentially be much higher this year.

Given all that, Upchurch says it's important to make sure you're taking what you need into the path of totality. You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.

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Also don't forget to bring eclipse glasses, which must be worn anytime you're looking at the sun, except for the few minutes when it is completely blocked by the moon.

Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone! Erika Goldring/FilmMagic hide caption

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone!

Arrive early and stay late

Once you figure out where you're going to watch the eclipse, and you've got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.

"Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem," he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.

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And one more thing: If you do find yourself on the move near the time of the eclipse, state officials stress that you should not simply pull over to the side of the road or highway you're driving on. It's important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.

If you're already in the path of totality: Relax and enjoy!

Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there's no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You'll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.

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If you're on the edge of the path of totality, however, you might consider making a short trip to get closer to the center of the eclipse's path.

"If you're within about 40 miles of the center line, you'll have two-and-a-half minutes or more" of complete totality, Upchurch says. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth making the trip to a more central location.

Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he's still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.

"Totality is absolutely spectacular," he says. "If you have a chance to witness it, I would do it."

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