TOTAL TIME
8.9 hrs
EV Road Trip Planner
A 500-mile EV trip typically needs 2 to 3 DC fast charging stops of 20 to 40 minutes each. Fast charging all the way costs about 11 percent less than gas; leaving with a full battery charged at home saves more.
363 mi range, 250 kW DCFC
miles
Total one-way distance
20 %
0 %100 %
Road trip plan
TOTAL TIME8.9 hours
500 miles with 2 charging stops. EV charging cost: $59 vs $76 gas.
93%
DRIVING
DRIVE TIME
8.3 hrs
CHARGE TIME
0.6 hrs
STOPS
2 stops
Advanced inputs
¢/kWh
Your residential rate
¢/kWh
Average DCFC rate along your route
$/gal
MPG
Cost and energy breakdown
EV TRIP COST
$59 total
GAS TRIP COST
$76 total
YOU SAVE
$18 (23%)
ENERGY NEEDED
125 kWh
Check real-world range for your routeCalculate detailed charging timesFull gas vs electric comparison
Planning Your EV Road Trip
Road tripping in an EV is different from a gas car, but with a little planning it can be just as smooth and significantly cheaper. The key is understanding your vehicle's real-world range, where chargers are located, and how to minimize time spent at charging stations.
Charge at Home Before You Leave
Home electricity averages about 18 cents per kWh in the US, while public DC fast charging averages about 54 cents, roughly three times as much. Starting your trip with a full battery from home charging makes the first leg the cheapest part of the trip. Always plug in the night before a road trip.
The 80 Percent Rule for Fast Charging
DC fast chargers deliver maximum speed up to about 80 percent state of charge. After 80 percent, charging speed drops dramatically to protect battery health. On a road trip, the most time-efficient strategy is to charge from 10 to 80 percent at each stop rather than waiting for a full charge. This typically takes 20 to 35 minutes per stop.
Route Planning Tips
- Use apps like A Better Route Planner (ABRP) or your vehicle's built-in navigation to find chargers along your route.
- Plan charging stops near restaurants or rest areas so you can eat or stretch while the car charges.
- Check charger availability and reviews before your trip. Not all chargers are reliable, and having a backup location in mind avoids stress.
- In cold weather, plan on more energy per mile; the Winter Range calculator shows how much range you lose at your temperature. Pre-conditioning the battery before fast charging improves charging speeds.
- Keep your speed at 65 to 70 mph on highways to maximize range between stops. Driving at 80 mph can reduce range by 15 to 25 percent.
FAQ
Frequently asked
The number of stops depends on your EV's range, trip distance, and how much you charge at each stop. Most drivers charge to about 80 percent at DC fast chargers because charging slows significantly above 80 percent. For a 500-mile trip in a vehicle with 270 miles of range, expect 2 to 3 charging stops of 20 to 40 minutes each.
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