EV Road Trip Cost Planner
Plan your electric vehicle road trip. Calculate the number of charging stops, total trip time, charging costs, and compare to a gasoline vehicle to see your savings and CO2 reduction.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual solar production, savings, and payback periods depend on site-specific conditions including local weather, roof condition, shading, equipment selected, installer pricing, utility rate structures, and policy changes. Always obtain multiple quotes from qualified solar installers and consult a tax professional for incentive eligibility. Results should not be considered financial advice.
Usable Range per Stop
Usable Range = Battery kWh × Efficiency (mi/kWh) × (80% max − 10% min) = Battery × Efficiency × 0.70
First Leg Range
First Leg = Battery kWh × Efficiency × (Starting Charge% − 10% minimum)
Charging Stops
If First Leg >= Trip Distance: 0 stops. Otherwise: Stops = ceil((Trip Distance − First Leg) ÷ Usable Range)
Total Charging Cost
Total kWh = Trip Distance ÷ Efficiency
Total Cost = Total kWh × Charging Rate ($/kWh)
Trip Time
Driving Time = Trip Distance ÷ 65 mph (highway speed assumed)
Charging Time = Stops × 30 minutes (average DC fast charge session to 80%)
Gas Vehicle Comparison
Gas Cost = (Trip Distance ÷ 30 MPG) × Gas Price. CO₂ = (Trip Distance ÷ 30) × 19.6 lbs/gallon.
EV Road Trip Planning: The Complete Guide
Range anxiety — the fear of running out of battery charge — is one of the most cited concerns among prospective EV buyers. Yet for the vast majority of trips that Americans take, EVs are perfectly suited. The average American drives about 37 miles per day, well within the range of even the most modest EVs. And for longer road trips, a rapidly expanding charging network has made cross-country EV travel genuinely practical.
The State of EV Charging Infrastructure
The United States has over 60,000 public EV charging stations with more than 150,000 individual charging ports as of 2026. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is adding DC fast charging stations every 50 miles along major interstate highway corridors. Tesla's Supercharger network alone covers most major highway routes across the continental US, with over 2,000 stations and 20,000 individual Supercharger stalls — and the network has been opened to non-Tesla vehicles.
EV Road Trip Cost vs Gas
Road trip charging costs are higher than home charging since you use public DC fast charging stations, but still compare favorably to gasoline for most routes. At Tesla Supercharger rates of approximately $0.35 per kWh, the charging cost per mile for a Tesla Model 3 is about 9 cents — compared to about 12 cents per mile for a 30 MPG gas vehicle at $3.50 per gallon. For longer trips with multiple passengers, the per-person cost becomes even more attractive.
Road Trip Planning Tips for EV Drivers
Success on longer EV road trips comes down to planning. Apps like A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) integrate with your vehicle's specific battery profile, current charge level, weather, and elevation data to generate accurate charge stop recommendations. PlugShare provides real-time crowd-sourced station status data. Most modern EVs also include built-in route planning that automatically routes through compatible charging stations and pre-conditions the battery for faster charging speeds before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many charging stops do I need for a long EV road trip?
The number of charging stops depends on your EV's range, the trip distance, and how much you charge each time. A common strategy is to charge to 80% at DC fast charging stops (80% maximum to avoid slow top-off speeds) and stop when the battery reaches about 10%. For a 300-mile trip in an EV with 300 miles of range, you'd typically need 0 to 1 stops. For a 600-mile trip, expect 1 to 2 stops. Apps like PlugShare, A Better Routeplanner (ABRP), and in-car navigation on Tesla or other brands automatically calculate optimal stop locations.
How long does it take to charge an EV on a road trip?
At a DC fast charging station, most EVs add 100 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 40 minutes (charging to 80%). The charging process tapers significantly above 80% to protect battery health, which is why most road trippers plan to charge to only 80% and depart. Full charges from 20% to 80% take 20 to 35 minutes at a 150 kW+ station. Many EV drivers combine charging stops with meal breaks, making the time less of an inconvenience in practice.
How much does an EV road trip cost compared to gas?
Public DC fast charging typically costs $0.35 to $0.45 per kWh, compared to gasoline at around $0.12 to $0.15 per mile for a 30 MPG car at $3.50/gallon. EV road trip costs depend heavily on the charging network used — Tesla Supercharger rates are often the lowest at $0.25 to $0.35/kWh, while other networks like Electrify America can charge $0.43/kWh or more. A 500-mile road trip in a Tesla Model 3 would cost approximately $40 to $65, while a 30 MPG gas vehicle would cost about $58 at $3.50/gallon.
What charging networks are best for road trips?
Tesla Supercharger remains the gold standard for road trip charging with the most locations, fastest speeds (up to 250 kW), and most reliable uptime. However, Tesla Supercharger is now open to non-Tesla EVs with a CCS adapter. Electrify America has the best non-Tesla coverage with stations near major highways and retail locations. ChargePoint has the most total stations but is more focused on urban L2 charging. For trip planning, use A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) to see real-time availability and optimal routing for your specific EV.
How far can an EV go on one charge on the highway?
Highway driving typically reduces EV range by 15 to 25% compared to EPA combined ratings because of higher sustained speeds and less regenerative braking opportunity. A Tesla Model 3 Long Range rated at 341 miles EPA combined might achieve 270 to 310 miles on the highway at 70 mph. Driving at 65 mph rather than 75 mph can add 10 to 15% more range. Temperature also matters — cold weather (below 20°F) can reduce highway range by an additional 20 to 30%.
What's the best charging strategy for EV road trips?
The optimal EV road trip strategy: (1) Plan your route using ABRP or your car's built-in navigation to identify charging stops. (2) Target 80% maximum charge and depart at 10 to 20% when possible. (3) Pre-condition the battery while still plugged in before a cold-weather drive. (4) Use the charging stop for a bathroom break, coffee, or meal to minimize perceived wait time. (5) Enable navigation to a charging station, which on many EVs pre-conditions the battery for faster charging speeds. (6) Monitor real-time charger availability with PlugShare.
How do I plan an EV road trip?
Planning an EV road trip involves: (1) Enter your trip into A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) with your specific vehicle selected for accurate range modeling. (2) Verify planned charging stations are compatible with your EV's charging port (CCS, CHAdeMO, or Tesla NACS). (3) Check PlugShare for recent user check-ins to confirm stations are operational. (4) Have a backup charging option planned for each segment. (5) Pre-download offline maps in case you lose cell signal. (6) Join your EV owner community forum for route-specific tips. Modern trip planning tools have made EV road trips straightforward and predictable.
Data Sources
Data current as of February 2026. Rates and incentives are subject to change.