Join in on the current trend of eco-conscious and family-oriented road trips, and explore five incredible destinations that you and your loved ones can relish while traveling in your electric vehicle.
Family road trips are experiencing a resurgence as of late, with road trips consistently ranking among the top choices for enthusiastic travelers, including numerous families, including those who prefer to travel in electric vehicles.
There’s good news that the necessary infrastructure to make family road trips smoother with an electric vehicle is on the rise. Although most of this infrastructure is concentrated along the east and west coasts, numerous charging stations are emerging at the country’s interior, making it more accessible by E.V. As per the USA Facts website, there are approximately 56,000 electric vehicle charging stations found throughout the United States, with an estimated 148,000 charging connections available.
Interactive travel planning websites like ChargeHub offer information about these charging station locations from coast to coast.
The bottom line? Electric vehicle family road trips are gaining popularity, and there is nothing holding you back from recharging your batteries, packing up your family, and embarking on an epic adventure – as long as you know the best electric vehicle routes for your family.
Furthermore, there are many exciting options that cater to all ages and interests of travelers. Electric vehicle road trips offer tempting destinations from New York and Virginia to California and beyond. Here are five family vacations that are worth considering.
From Washington, D.C., to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
During the peak of gasoline price fluctuations in 2022, Christina Grance, a family travel writer based in Idaho and the founder of Live a Wilder Life, was planning her next road trip with her family. Faced with the prospect of spending hundreds of dollars on gasoline, Grance borrowed an electric vehicle from a family member. As a result, she estimates that her family saved at least $500.
In addition to the financial benefits, the use of an electric vehicle while traveling with kids provided additional advantages for Grance. She said, “We were traveling with a 4-year-old. And it can be challenging to have children in the car for an extended period of time. Using an electric vehicle gave us a strong incentive to stop every hour to recharge the car, grab a bite to eat, and stretch our legs.”
Grance’s family planned to travel south from Washington, D.C., passing through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia before ultimately reaching Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, all while driving an electric vehicle. The family discovered numerous charging stations along the way, including free charging stations located within Shenandoah National Park. Additionally, the park offered various nature exploration activities suitable for children.
Grance explains, “There are several nature walks that are kid-friendly, including ones that lead to waterfalls where you can swim at the base of the falls in the summer. Moreover, you can also enjoy collecting wild berries, which is another fun activity.”
Overall, Grance describes the family’s electric vehicle road trip as a success and one they would gladly embark on again. “Just adjust your expectations and be aware that it may take a bit longer compared to a gas-powered vehicle,” advises Grance. “But for parents who excel at this type of planning, you can organize stops near playgrounds and green spaces.”
State of California, Pacific Coast Highway
California dominates electric vehicle ownership in the United States, with approximately 39% of all electric vehicles registered here as of mid-2022. As a result, the state boasts a vast network of charging stations, making it possible for families to travel to virtually any destination in the diverse and picturesque state without any issues.
The Pacific Coast Highway, which runs between Big Sur and Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, offers some of California’s most iconic coastal views and family-friendly activities. E.V. charging stations are plentiful along this route, and its tourist sites are so highly regarded that InsureMyTrip once deemed the Pacific Coast Highway the best road trip journey you can take in the United States while driving an electric vehicle.
There’s no limit to where families can go while on an electric vehicle road trip. Don’t forget to check out the iconic beach boardwalk amusement park in Santa Cruz
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee
InsureMyTrip has ranked the Natchez Trace Parkway as the second-best option for electric vehicle travel, spanning a distance of 444 miles through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Families on a budget can reap the benefits of the 83% of free charging stations available on this route. Additionally, around 58% of these charging stations are level 3, which translates to faster charging times.
Route 66, Illinois and Arizona
Route 66 is a popular symbol of American culture and is gaining traction as a favored choice for electric vehicle road trips. Destination management groups have been working hard to establish EV-friendly routes throughout the famous road. One such example is Illinois Tourism that recently launched its first EV road trip – Zero Emissions on Route 66. The 302-mile journey from Chicago to Springfield and Collinsville can be completed in one to three days. Jan Kemmerling, a previous acting deputy director for the Illinois Office of Tourism, said that Route 66 was chosen because of its iconic status that showcases the numerous attractions Illinois has to offer. The journey includes a variety of family-friendly sights and restaurants, and thirteen separate EV charging stations are placed strategically near famous landmarks.
If you are planning a family-friendly electric vehicle road trip on Route 66, be sure to visit some renowned attractions along the way. In Chicago, you can experience the iconic Wrigley Field, which is the second-oldest major league stadium, and the entertaining Navy Pier area. The world’s largest covered wagon made from three tons of oak and steel, featuring a 12-foot-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln, is situated in the Lincoln area. You can also explore other Lincoln-themed attractions in Springfield, including the burial site of the popular president. Arizona also offers excellent electric vehicle road trips for families visiting Route 66. Visit Flagstaff’s explicit webpage with an interactive map of EV charging stations throughout the state can ease your trip planning. Clara Cordova, a middle school teacher from Phoenix, and her family recently embarked on a Route 66 electric vehicle road trip and found it to be an excellent family experience due to the many small towns and entertaining attractions along the way.
New York City to New York’s Niagara Falls
New York State also ranks high on the list of electric vehicle road trips recommended by InsureMyTrip. The website suggests starting the journey from New York City and traveling all the way to the Canadian border at Niagara Falls. Along the way, the scenic Sullivan Catskills region offers a plethora of charging stations and family-friendly activities to enjoy. Roberta Byron Lockwood, the president and CEO of the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, comments that charging stations are well-placed so that families can enjoy the vast range of activities without worrying about charging their electric vehicles. For example, Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon, Catskills, has EV charging stations and offers year-round enjoyment, including ice skating, tubing, paintball, bowling, and indoor/outdoor pools. The Roscoe Diner in Roscoe, New York, is a popular and family-friendly restaurant with charging stations. The Kartrite near Monticello is also a must-visit. It is not only a popular resort with an expansive indoor waterpark but also has numerous exciting amenities such as all-suite hotel rooms, eight bars and restaurants, six miles of hiking trails, daily events, a full arcade, and a ropes course.
Let the E.V. Road Trip Preparations Start!
These family-friendly electric vehicle road trip options are just a few of the many possibilities available to travelers. The InsureMyTrip ranking features thirteen alternatives, covering nearly every region of the United States. Additionally, using ChargeHub, you may design your own itinerary and explore the country at your pace. As road trips continue to grow in popularity, travelers can expect a more convenient planning process, with increased accessibility to charging stations and tourist attractions. According to Jan Kemmerling, E.V. road trip planning will soon incorporate charging station availability as a critical consideration among visitors. For more information on family-friendly road trips, some recommended articles are “Boredom Busters For Road Trips,” “Your Next Road Trip Must Haves – Essential Trip Items,” and “15 Cool Outdoor Activities For Kids.”