The Complex Truth About EV Road Trips

The journey kicked off with excitement when my husband and I discovered our Tesla 3—delivered right to our doorstep by rental car company Kyte—had a setting resembling “ludicrous speed.” We only realized we were in ludicrous speed when we shot from zero to 40 mph on a one-way residential street in Brooklyn in seconds, needing to brake abruptly long before the stoplight. This wasn’t due to hitting the brakes—it was simply from lifting my foot off the accelerator.

This experience may resonate with first-time electric vehicle (EV) users, whether it’s a Tesla (ours was the standard version) or any everyday battery-powered beauty. My husband and I first dived into EV road trips two summers ago on a weekend escape from New York City to Montreal, intended to recharge us in more ways than one. We thought we were so clever, estimating that we’d save on fuel (the trip cost $28 for 280 miles back then) and didn’t even plan our first stop—our friendly robot car, affectionately dubbed “Kit,” would guide the route for us.

However, there are many habits to unlearn after years of stopping at gas stations, using dialed dashboards for navigation, and relying on brake pedals to, you know, stop. Here are some realities every EV road-tripper should be prepared for as they embark on this new era of car travel.

Driving an electric vehicle takes some getting used to

Approach your first EV drive with humility. It’s not quite as challenging as learning to drive a stick shift, but some aspects are distinctly different. Many EVs unlock with a key card or phone app, allowing you to access the car remotely or cool it down before entering. The “go” pedal plays a significant role: lifting your foot off the accelerator engages regenerative braking, slowing the car while channeling power back to the battery. I barely used the brakes and needed time to adjust to the deceleration. Meanwhile, the standard acceleration for a Tesla 3—what I initially thought was ludicrous—is zero to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, which can push passengers back in their seats and make those in the rear feel like they might want to jump ship. I discovered “chill mode,” which limits acceleration and alleviates some of that unintentional flinging.

The lack of a conventional dashboard—with its speedometer, fuel gauge, and various indicators—can be disconcerting. Instead, there’s a 15-inch touchscreen that handles all essential monitoring (battery life, GPS, tire pressure) and entertainment (Apple Music, arcade games, “caraoke,” even a virtual fireplace and, to my kids’ amusement, whoopee cushion sounds). Balancing attention between the road and the touchscreen, positioned horizontally in line with the driver’s sight, felt a bit chaotic. It was helpful to have a co-pilot assist with the touchscreen, especially when searching for charging stations.

EV road trips vary based on location

We had a 375-mile journey ahead, typically a six-hour drive. In a gasoline vehicle, we would take a break halfway in Saratoga Springs, famous for its race track and the delightful chipotle beef chili at the Olde Bryan Inn. In a Tesla, we could travel 300 miles on a full charge... but when Kyte dropped off the car, we had about 130 miles of battery remaining. (Important note: We couldn’t simply plug the car in at home—only a DCFC, or direct current fast charger, can recharge the battery in 20 to 30 minutes. Without it, a full charge on 120 volts could take 40 to 50 hours or more.)

Kit the Robot Car had all the Tesla DCFC “Superchargers” integrated into its navigation, guiding us to the most efficient spot to “refuel”: New Paltz, located 83 miles and about an hour and a half away. Fortunately, this stop was right next to a diner.

Currently, New York state boasts 84 Tesla Superchargers, with more being installed each year as the U.S. continues to enhance its EV infrastructure. (Refer to President Biden’s Build Back Better infrastructure plan for the extensive scope: the aim is to have 500,000 public chargers across the nation by 2030.) However, as of 2023, five states represent nearly half of the nation’s 64,187 charging stations, according to Consumer Affairs. California dominates with 25.5 percent, followed by New York at 6.1 percent, and then Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Initially, Tesla Superchargers were exclusive to Tesla drivers, a hallmark of corporate pride that changed in late 2021 when Tesla opened its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs. Currently, there are Level 1 and Level 2 chargers across the USA, which charge EVs in 4 to 10 hours (or longer), in addition to more non-Tesla DCFCs. The website and app ChargeFinder are useful tools for locating all types of charging stations.

Make the most of roadside rest stops

When planning an EV road trip, mapping your route ahead can feel a bit pointless. Your plans are likely to be interrupted when the Tesla’s “red alert” flashes, signaling it's time to recharge; the vehicle truly prefers you to plug in when the battery hits about a quarter left.

Similar to a gas station, a Supercharger typically has about 6 to 8 plugs instead of pumps, and sometimes all of them are occupied. However, unlike gas stations where cars come and go in mere minutes, it’s not always clear how much longer a vehicle will need to charge without sneakily peeking into another car’s dashboard.

Despite our best intentions to predict when we'd need to charge next—and following Kit's guidance—we found ourselves exiting multiple times in search of a charger that offered a bit of charm or convenience. We turned an unexpected 30-minute stop into a delightful experience, enjoying freshly scooped ice cream at a gas station in who-knows-where New York. And if the next charging station happened to be in a Target parking lot? Total win.

Was it worth the journey?

A truly great road trip transforms detours into memorable experiences just as valuable as the final destination. We enjoyed thrilling moments, like using the car's autopilot, and experienced delightful surprises along the way. However, by the time we arrived at the parking lot of Montreal's Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth, we had been on the road for seven and a half hours and were in dire need of a break and a cold beer.

The detours of the Great American (EV) Road Trip were both emotionally taxing and filled with important lessons—particularly about embracing slow travel and relinquishing control.