A Journey in One of America’s Most Electric Vehicle-Friendly Cities

If you’ve followed our electric vehicle (EV) updates, you’ll realize that going on a gas-free trip is more feasible than ever. Renting EVs is simpler; traveling between cities (like Los Angeles to Las Vegas) is easier; and with some planning, you can even embark on a multi-state EV road trip. Charging stations are popping up all over, and the U.S. is set to reach half a million in just seven years.

So, is there ever a situation where you might not opt for an electric vehicle, where persistent range anxiety might keep you tied to the gas station? Kids. While charging is becoming more straightforward, it’s still not as quick as a gas fill-up, and I admit that a car full of noisy children might deter you. Recently, I took my three kids (ages seven, two, and two)—along with their grandma—on a mini getaway in an EV to see if it’s feasible.

Experience has shown me that keeping travel with kids as easy as possible is crucial, so I planned our trip in one of the country’s top EV-friendly cities, San Diego, and borrowed an impressive ride for the adventure: a Rivian R1S.

Obtaining the vehicle

The latest model from the company is a seven-passenger SUV so fresh it arrived with manufacturer license plates, drawing endless inquiries and photos from car enthusiasts (or perhaps the EV version—lithium enthusiasts?). It offers an impressive 316 miles of range and 104 cubic feet of space for luggage, a stroller, and numerous boxes of LEGO, plus three rows of seating for three generations of the Chester family.

In the front, the dashboard showcased my driver profile, complete with personalized mirror adjustments, seat configurations, and my Spotify account—all connected to a map that highlighted nearby charging stations. I could unlock the vehicle using my phone, a key card, or even an old-school key fob. The seats featured vegan leather, a notable trend among luxury vehicles.

Before we hit the road, I was introduced to the various driving modes available, including all-purpose, sport (which lowers and stiffens the suspension for improved cornering), conserve (designed for longer trips with front-wheel drive and a lower stance), towing, and specialized off-road settings for sand, rock, and other challenging terrains. (This video from Rivian’s CEO demonstrates how the vehicle performs on steep inclines.)

For all its features and a range of additional perks (including 11 cameras and driver-assist technologies), the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive R1S is priced at $78,000. The quad-motor variant comes in at $92,000.

Departing from home (battery level: 85%; in-car mood: 100%)

We began our journey from Thousand Oaks, located north of L.A., with 150 miles ahead before reaching our destination, the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla, just north of San Diego. A reassuring detail on the dashboard caught my eye: a number displaying our estimated arrival range, indicating we would arrive with about 40 miles to spare.

I was en route to a large hotel in a bustling city, passing through the extensive, charging-station-rich metropolis of Los Angeles, so I felt confident—and could concentrate on my Spotify playlist (or rather, the road) rather than worrying about range. When I took a Polestar 2 to Las Vegas in 2021, I faced a declining battery percentage, which was a much more stressful experience.

Arriving and recharging (battery power: 15%; in-car mood: 60%)

We arrived at the hotel three hours later, with battery levels close to what was promised. If anything, I felt more drained than the car after several hours of debates over whether to keep the interior lights on and listening to the Bluey soundtrack on repeat. (I can’t bear to hear “Here Come the Grannies” ever again.)

I quickly discovered perhaps the key to enjoying an EV vacation: choose a hotel with ample charging facilities. This way, if you’re in a car with at least 200 miles of range and keep your travels relatively local, you can recharge overnight without interrupting your trip.

The Hyatt Regency offers two Clipper Creek stations and five Tesla chargers. (Tesla uses a proprietary system that limits charger access to its own vehicles, which seems impractical as more automakers enter the market.) The Clipper Creek charger was, like many at hotels, slow but free. While the Rivian was recharging, the kids enjoyed themselves exploring the hotel’s amenities, including an outdoor pool, a giant chess set, and a ping-pong table, before grabbing s’mores kits from the café in the lobby.

Discovering a city designed for families... and EVs (battery level: 50%–85%; harmony: fluctuating)

San Diego is arguably one of the premier U.S. cities for a family getaway. There are the beautiful beaches, ranging from the expansive Coronado Beach to the ecologically rich La Jolla Shores, not to mention Mission Beach and the nearby Belmont Park amusement park. Additionally, you can enjoy the serene bay waters, the world-renowned zoo, Legoland close by, and an outstanding children’s museum. For older kids, kayaking around the sea caves in La Jolla is another exciting option; Everyday California provides tours that include rentals, knowledgeable guides, and all the necessary equipment.

Moreover, it’s also one of the top cities for an electric road trip. There are over 1,500 charging stations throughout the city, according to the EV trip-planning app Plugshare, and San Diego ranked third in charging network ChargePoint’s recent list of top U.S. cities for EVs (following the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle). ChargePoint reports approximately 250 stations in San Diego County.

The City of San Diego itself features 57 charging spots at 14 locations—many situated at popular destinations like Balboa Park, the Central Library, and the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. San Diego is “enhancing infrastructure at existing EV charging stations and investigating options for more locations, as part of its 2035 aim for net-zero GHG emissions,” according to Heather Werner, deputy director of the city’s sustainability and mobility department.

However, as noted by electric transportation news site Elektrek, while California leads the nation in charging stations, it also has the highest number of EVs. This can lead to waiting times to recharge. This brings us to the second rule of EV road tripping: Always be on the lookout for charging stations wherever you go. We found them everywhere.

Take the San Diego Zoo, for instance—it's a massive attraction that deserves at least three hours and a good pair of walking shoes. Its parking area includes five solar Level 2 (i.e., faster) chargers managed by Blink. Then there's Liberty Station, a former naval training base transformed into a collection of buildings filled with eateries and galleries, interconnected by lush courtyards; it boasts 22 universal charging stations and 12 designated for Teslas. This area, celebrating its centenary in 2023, offers activities ranging from pottery painting and candle making to golf, paddleboarding, and cycling. It features a public market with a variety of food and wine vendors. We enjoyed Filipino silogs (garlic rice and egg bowls) at White Rice, with the crispy pork belly bowl possibly being the highlight of our meals. (Though the short rib quesabirria tacos at Puesto in La Jolla could contend for that title as well. I may need to revisit both for a proper taste test.)

Journeying home (battery level: 85%; in-car harmony: best not to inquire)

We departed from San Diego with 85% battery—it's generally advised that car batteries maintain longevity when not charged to full capacity—and made it home in one go. The only hiccup was locating a charger at my local mall before returning the vehicle. All the spots were occupied, and it took some time to find a (slower) alternative nearby. The third and final rule for EV travel (for now) is to stay ready to adapt. Electric road trips are the way forward, but we’re not quite there yet.

Make your journey a reality

An increasing number of car rental agencies are now offering electric vehicles, potentially saving you significant amounts on fuel (which is approximately $4.50 per gallon in Southern California as of now). Consider using Turo, a peer-to-peer rental platform where EVs account for 8 percent of their listings. Options include the Lucid Air, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2, Chevy Bolt, and Nissan Leaf. “Turo has experienced a surge of interest in electric vehicles over the past few years,” says Albert Mangahas, Turo’s chief data officer. “Many of our hosts are establishing EV-exclusive businesses on Turo, and guests looking to purchase EVs are using Turo to test them out beforehand.”