My Amazing Road Trip Through the Berkshires of Massachusetts—No Gas Stops Needed!

In the back seat, my six-year-old son, Remy, was engrossed in his book, completely unaware of my jittery excitement that could have powered our electric BMW i3. Our family had just purchased the car to lessen our carbon footprint, and this marked our inaugural long-distance journey with just my son and me. To prepare, I charted an EV-friendly course from our home in Connecticut through the charming Berkshires, known for its quaint towns filled with museums, antique shops, and seasonal farm stands.

Upon arriving at the Norman Rockwell Museum, in Stockbridge, which offers EV charging on-site, I felt my tension ease and my shoulders relax. While Remy and I marveled at masterpieces like Boy and Girl Gazing at Moon, our car’s battery replenished for just $2.11.

Even with my excitement for this EV journey, there were several instances during our three-day trip when 'range anxiety' overwhelmed me, as I worried about draining the battery while searching for charging stations. However, western Massachusetts is poised to become one of the most EV-friendly spots in the Northeast. It currently boasts over 50 public charging stations, with more expected thanks to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which is set to allocate $6 million to the state.

From the Rockwell Museum, it was just a pleasant hour’s drive to Tourists, a motor lodge in North Adams. A staff member mentioned that the property’s two charging stations have become quite popular; since Tourists opened five years ago, the influx of guests arriving in EVs has surged. I plugged in and then took Remy to craft balsam-and-cucumber-scented candles as part of the hotel’s Art & Adventure program. The following morning, we ventured into the hotel’s 30-acre nature retreat, where we encountered another family at one of several giant musical installations and created a symphony together. 

We also explored the nearby MASS MoCA, one of the largest art museums in the United States. In its Kidspace, Remy played with clay, drawing inspiration from artist Bruno Miguel’s work. The experience was such a success that as we unplugged our car in the parking lot, he exclaimed, “Let’s return with Papa and Evie,” referring to his sister.

A month later, during the kids’ winter break, all four of us made our way back to the Berkshires. Our first stop was Great Barrington for lunch at Momma Lo’s Southern Style BBQ, a spot I discovered in the Berkshire Black Economic Council’s directory. (The PlugShare Trip Planner, an online resource, also identified a charger next door.) After that, it was a quick drive to Stockbridge, where we checked into the historic 250-year-old Red Lion Inn, featuring a heated outdoor pool. We refueled with almond croissants from across the street at the Lost Lamb and, despite the chilly winter weather, hiked the popular two-mile trail to Laura’s Tower.

In Williamstown, we explored the EV-friendly Clark Art Institute, where we admired Frederic Remington's "Friends or Foes? (The Scout)" and wandered through the expansive, 140-acre grounds adorned with sculptures. We had one more destination in mind, but then a hiccup occurred: our Airbnb host canceled last minute. I swiftly reached out to the Old Inn on the Green, in New Marlborough, where chef Peter Platt informed me of a room available — though without an on-site EV charger. With plenty of charge left, we decided to proceed. We arrived just in time for a prix fixe dinner featuring saffron risotto, pan-roasted halibut, and sticky toffee pudding before settling into Room 195, lighting a fire and enjoying a Gene Wilder film.

There was a brief hiccup during our drive home when we struggled for 10 minutes with a tricky charging station in Norfolk, Connecticut. However, it turned into a pleasant surprise as we discovered a winter carnival happening nearby. We soon engaged with festivalgoers, many of whom encouraged us to return for a hike at Campbell Falls State Park Reserve.

By the time we finished our second drive, my anxiety had completely dissipated. Driving a battery-powered vehicle has liberated our family from the monotony of gas stations — and seeking out charging stations for our i3 has led us to explore places we would have never visited otherwise.

This story first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Dinogo under the title "The Era of the EV Road Trip."