The ultimate cross-country road trip for electric car drivers

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Believe it or not, you can get across the United States in an electric vehicle (EV). The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has created “alternative fuel corridors,” meaning you will never drive more than 50 miles without having access to a charging station.

And you can plan a journey that’s not confined to a DOE corridor either. We’ve come up with ideas for road trips that concentrate on the parts of the country rich in charging stations. Read on for northern and southern road trip routes that’ll take you cross-country in an EV.

There is no official DOE fuel corridor stretching cross-country through the northern U.S. That said, it is very possible to travel cross-country via the upper Midwest. Check out this cross-country route that takes you through the northern part of the country, from Burns, Oregon to Fairfield, Maine. While we’ve plotted it out from west to east, you can certainly drive it from east to west.

Related: Using your credit card wisely

Image Credit: Alessandro Biascioli/ iStock.

1. Burns, Oregon

Burns, Oregon, is perfect for EV road-trip planners who want a taste of small-town charm before heading out on their cross-country adventure. Though this city may have only a few thousand residents, it boasts a ton of nature, some local businesses, and a couple of charging spots to get you on the road!

Image Credit: DC_Colombia / iStock.

2. Boise, Idaho

You can park and charge right outside the Discovery Center of Idaho to enjoy this family-friendly STEM museum. It has standing hands-on science exhibits and rotating experiences as well.

Image Credit: Sean Pavone/istockphoto.

3. Twin Falls, Idaho

This charging station is located on the College of Southern Idaho campus, right by the Herrett Center for Arts and Science. This educational anthropological museum focuses on prehistoric artifacts from North America.

Image Credit: Tommyers89 / Wikimedia Commons.

4. Ogden, Utah

You don’t need a library card to enjoy a public library. This particular EV charging location has events and activities for people of all ages. But it’s also very close to the O-Town Coin Laundry (just in case you need it!), the Oasis Community Garden, and Lester Park.

Image Credit: Scott Catron from Sandy, Utah, USA .

5. Rock Springs, Wyoming

This downtown charging spot is surrounded by restaurants and coffee shops. It’s also near the Rock Springs Historical Museum, which showcases the history of the town and its surroundings. This includes background on the lives of Butch Cassidy and Calamity Jane.

Image Credit: Milonica .

6. Laramie, Wyoming

If you’re looking to recharge for the night, this charging station is conveniently surrounded by hotels. You’re also less than two miles from the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, one of the oldest buildings in Wyoming and one that held “evil doers of all classes and kinds.”

Image Credit: Public domain.

7. Ogallala, Nebraska

  • Walmart 7129
  • 201 Pony Express Ln.
  • Ogallala, Nebraska, 69153

This charging station isn’t far from Ogallala Nature Park. It’s a small park that takes about eight minutes to walk through–and your leashed dog is welcome.

Image Credit: marekuliasz / iStock.

8. Aurora, Nebraska

This food bank has a charging station nearby, and it’s not too far from Streeter Park and Streeter Park Campground. The campground is free to stay in for up to four nights on a first-come, first-served basis. The park offers a pool, tennis courts, and other outdoor amenities.

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

9. Council Bluffs, Iowa

  • Walmart 1965
  • 3201 Manawa Centre Dr.
  • Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51501

You’re within walking distance of several grocery stores, making this charging station a great place to restock on food and other road-trip necessities. You’re also less than two miles away from Lake Manawa, where you can hike, fish, and boat.

Image Credit: Jared Winkler / Wiki Commons.

10. Williamsburg, Iowa

  • Caseys Williamsburg #2
  • 130 W Evans St.
  • Williamsburg, Iowa, 52361

Grab a slice of Casey’s famously delicious pizza while your car charges, then drive about 30 minutes east and you’ll hit Iowa City. In the city you can see a show at the Englert Theater, catch a University of Iowa Hawkeye game at Nile Kinnick Stadium, or take a stroll through the past at the Old Capitol Museum.

Image Credit: JoeChristensen.

11. Ottawa, Illinois

 

  • Sierra Motors
  • 510 E Norris Dr.
  • Ottawa Illinois, 61350

This charger is near the Lincoln-Douglas Park, which has a seasonal ice rink, the Ottawa Visitor’s Center, and Fox River Park, offering views of the river, some shade, and large grassy areas, making it picnic perfect.

 

Image Credit: IvoShandor / Wikimedia Commons.

12. Mishawaka, Indiana

 

  • Parking Lot
  • 200 N Mill Street
  • Mishawaka, Indiana, 46544

This parking lot is in a busy part of Mishawaka, surrounded by all sorts of restaurants and not far from the Beutter Park on the riverwalk. It’s a summer concert spot, but the park itself is beautiful.

 

Image Credit: Geoff Eccles / iStock.

13. Fremont, Ohio

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums honors the 19th president. This was the first presidential library open to the public, established in 1916 and holding around 90,000 books. You can also visit the Hayes Museum, 25 acres of parks, and even President Hayes’ and his wife’s graves.

Image Credit: OHWiki / Wiki Commons.

14. Clarion, Pennsylvania

  • Walmart 2540
  • 63 Perkins Rd.
  • Clarion, Pennsylvania, 16214

This charging station has a few restaurants and hotels nearby in case you need to take a break. The Clarion Oaks Golf Club is also very close if you want to get in a game.

Image Credit: kstevecope / iStock.

15. Moosic, Pennsylvania

 

The Shoppes at Montage Mountain houses this charging station and many popular clothing stores and services (including a place to get your phone or tablet repaired) and several restaurants. Once you’re done charging, you can explore the Houdini MuseumEverhart Museum, and Electric City Trolley Museum, all located within 10 miles of the charging station.

 

Image Credit: Holcy / iStock.

16. Hartford, Connecticut

 

This parking spot right outside the Connecticut State Capitol is also in Bushnell Park. The capitol building itself is beautiful enough, but the park has a variety of tours and a serene pond and is filled with history.

 

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

17. Portland, Maine

  • Parking Area
  • 98 High St
  • Portland, Maine, 04101

This parking area is in the middle of everything. Lotos of restaurants, the Portland Museum of Art, the State Theatre, and so much more are all within walking distance.

Image Credit: SeanPavonePhoto/ istockphoto.

18. Fairfield, Maine

The KVCC Open EV Charger is on the Kennebec Valley Community College campus. Due to Covid-19, the two nearby museums, L.C. Bates and the Hinkley WWI Memorial, are closed as of April 2022. Keep an eye open for these sites coming back! In the meantime, take a look around the lovely KVCC campus.

Image Credit: Stagophile at English Wikipedia .

South Coast-to-Coast EV Road Trip

The southern U.S. has more charging stations than the north, which may make this EV road trip more appealing to some. For instance, there’s a relatively straight shot from San Diego, California, to Savannah, Georgia, with all the stations within one mile of the highway.

Note that we’ve mapped it out from the West Coast to the East Coast, but you can also drive this from east to west.

Image Credit: vichie81/ istockphoto .

1. San Diego

 

  • AT&T Building
  • 101 W Broadway
  • San Diego, California, 92101

There are well over 100 public electric vehicle charging stations in San Diego, so this one was chosen for its proximity to activities and amenities. It is very close to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the Balboa TheaterSan Diego Repertory Theater,Broadway Pier, parks, hotels, food…basically a little bit of everything!

 

Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.

2. Yuma, Arizona

 

  • Target T2083
  • 1450 S. Yuma Palms Parkway
  • Yuma, Arizona, 85365

This charging spot is about a 10-minute drive from Colorado River State Historic Park. The Yuma History Museum.Gateway Park offers picnicking areas right on the shore of the Colorado River and is next door to Colorado River State Historic Park.

 

Image Credit: istockphoto.

3. Tucson, Arizona

Whether shopping, dining, or axe-throwing is your thing, the Tucson Premium Outlets caters to your tastes while you wait for your vehicle to charge.

Image Credit: Sean Pavone / iStock.

4. Lordsburg, New Mexico

 

  • Lordsburg Chevron
  • 1882 Stagecoach Rd.
  • Lordsburg, New Mexico, 88045

This Chevron station is home to an Electrify America charging station. The company says it can charge your vehicle in as little as 30 minutes, so this is just a quick stop. And once you’re done charging, go four miles south to check out Shakespeare Ghost Town for a glimpse of life during the wild west.

 

Image Credit: Calvin Beale / Wiki Commons.

5. El Paso

DeadBeach Brewery lays claim to having the best BBQ in the area, making this a prime place to enjoy some BBQ and beer (if you’re not the driver) while you wait for your car to charge.

Image Credit: pabradyphoto.

6. Pecos, Texas

 

  • Sonic Drive-In
  • 5101 South Cedar
  • St.Pecos, Texas, 79772

This Electrify America Charging Station is near a Walmart, auto parts shops, and several hotels, making it a good place to restock and/or turn in for the night. Once you and your car are recharged, head about two miles to the West of the Pecos Museum, where you’ll see artifacts and hear stories about the old American West.

 

Image Credit: Chester Leeds / iStock.

7. Sweetwater, Texas

 

  • Walmart 3381
  • 407 NE Georgia Ave
  • Sweetwater, Texas, 79556

This is another fast Electrify America charging station in close proximity to several hotels. You’re about a 10-minute drive from the National WASP (Women Service Airforce Pilots) WWII Museum, and about 15 minutes from Lake Sweetwater, which has a golf course and campgrounds.

 

Image Credit: mj0007 / iStock.

8. Grand Prairie, Texas

  • Target
  • 2100 W Interstate 20
  • Grand Prairie, Texas, 75052

If you’re looking to stretch your legs and get in some hiking, the 37-acre Fish Creek Nature Preserve is within walking distance of this charging station. Or, if you prefer water to land, you can drive a few miles to Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake for a quick dip in the water.

Image Credit: Michael Barera / Wiki Commons.

9. Bossier City, Louisiana

 

  • Horseshoe Parking Garage
  • 711 Horseshoe
  • Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111

This charging station is attached to the Horseshoe Bossier City hotel and casino, which is home to the Riverdome, a lively concert venue. Across the river (a short drive away), you can find the Sci-Port Discovery CenterShreveport AquariumSpring Street Historical Museum, and many other things to do while enjoying this historic area.

 

Image Credit: Billy Hathorn / Wiki Commons.

10. Jackson, Mississippi

 

  • Paul Moak Honda
  • 802 Harding St.
  • Jackson, Mississippi, 39202

Jackson, a city steeped in American history, has no shortage of sites to visit and things to do. The Mississippi Civil Rights MuseumEudora Welty House and Garden, and Smith Robertson Museum are all within a five-mile radius of this charging station.

 

Image Credit: sfe-co2 / istockphoto.

11. Meridian, Mississippi

 

  • Meridian City Hall
  • 601 23rd Ave.
  • Meridian, Mississippi, 39301

This charging station at the Meridian City Hall building is right by the Meridian Museum of Art. It’s just a quick turn to the entire arts district. You can find a little bit of everything artsy and lots of food in this area.

 

Image Credit: Dudemanfellabra / Wiki Commons.

12. Oxford, Alabama

  • Walmart 809
  • 92 Plaza Ln.
  • Oxford, Alabama, 36203

This Electrify America station is an excellent place to stop to restock on road trip needs. Once you’re done, head about 15 minutes down the road to see Morgan Lake Waterfalls and, if you have the time, experience the natural beauty of Talladega National Forest.

Image Credit: Jacqueline Nix / iStock.

13. Macon, Georgia

  • Bibb County Courthouse
  • 275 2nd St.
  • Macon, Georgia, 31201

On the corner outside the Bibb County Courthouse, this charging station is next to The Grand Opera House and near Macons Dueling Piano Bar.

Image Credit: SeanPavonePhoto/ iStock.

14. Savannah, Georgia

  • Savannah Eastern Wharf
  • 301 Passage Way
  • Savannah, Georgia, 31401

This spot is right on the Savannah Riverwalk, near a few hotels and places to eat, and a ton of historical sites. Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in the United States, with one of the top sites—The Pirates’ House, a Southern food restaurant—very close to this stop. Stay a few days to check out their ghost and the history tours.

Image Credit: Sean Pavone/istockphoto.

Experience America With a Cross-Country Road Trip in Your EV

America is a country with natural landscapes that are just as unique and varied as its culture and history. Whether you’re driving 50 miles or 500, there is no shortage of attractions to entertain, educate, and inspire. Deciding between the northern or southern cross-country routes will really come down to what you’re trying to experience.

If you’re more into desert landscapes, wide open skies, and all of the culture the American South has to offer, then the southern route may be best for you. If you’re looking for something a little more scenic, complete with glacier-carved mountains, lush forests, and a dose of East Coast culture, the northern route may appeal to you more. And no one’s saying you can’t do both!

If you’re seeking additional ways to get the most out of your car, consider auto loan refinancing. By refinancing, you could potentially lower your monthly car payment by qualifying for a loan with better rates and terms than your original loan.

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