“It’s a different kind of thinking, but it didn’t bother me that I might stop for 20 minutes, or longer,” said Mr. Cowing, 41, father of two and the chief executive and founder of Protect, a computer hardware manufacturer. “Especially for children. By the time we all get out of the car and go to the bathroom, grab a snack, it’s not a big deal.”
Here are five great drives around the United States that are suitable for EV travel:
California: on the coast, down in wine country
California is bad nice trips, from its wide, 840-mile coastline to routes in the magnificent Sierra Nevada. But it’s hard to beat the majesty of the coastline north of San Francisco, where Highway 1 twists and turns through lush cliffs and wild Pacific panoramas. Head north from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore before following the coast through Bodega Bay and Jenner, where you can dine or spend the night at Timber Cove Resort o the Sea Ranch Lodge will recharge you for the 60-mile leg to the beautiful town of Mendocino. Loop back and head east through the redwood forests of Philo and Boonville and south to San Francisco via Highway 101, right into Sonoma wine country. You’ll find charging stops in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Petaluma, and wineries like Ridge and Martin Ray are also equipped with charging stations.
Washington: White Pass Scenic Byway
The Pacific Northwest is a gold mine of spectacular scenery, boasting everything from rugged coastlines and towering mountains to forests rich in wildlife. The White Pass Scenic Byway crosses central Washington from between the towns of Chehalis and Castle Rock to Naches via US Route 12. The 120-mile route is an ideal way to explore much of the wild and remote parts of the state, including a stretch that passes through the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests and offers views of Mount Rainier. The road, winding through rivers and waterfalls, is known as an area for excellent wildlife spotting; it’s also a great starting point for hikes, fishing trips and more (find suggested itineraries online or through byway’s trip planner app). The route is also the focus of a new one electric vehicle-centric initiative, with eight new EV charging stations currently under construction, all of which will have at least one Level 3 fast charger. (A ribbon cutting for the new electrified route is planned for July 11.)
Colorado: West Elk Loop
Colorado is leading the United States when it comes to electrifying its scenic routes, and has pledged to install charging stations on 26 of its scenic and historic roads by 2030. While there’s no way to go wrong when planning a Colorado road trip — circuits in the Rockies, through the desert and around historic mining towns are all options – we like the West Elk Loop for a combination of natural beauty, wildlife viewing and destination-worthy towns. Winding through the West Elk Mountains, highlights include the charming towns of Carbondale and Crested Butte, fruit and wine farms in the North Fork Valley and the truly mesmerizing beauty of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . The route takes you past opportunities for boating, mountain biking and soaking in hot springs, along with live music and art festivals in the summer.
New Mexico: The High Road to the Enchanted Circle
A road trip between Santa Fe and Taos — two unique New Mexico destinations — is a decisive winner. The route has great scenery, a dose of history and is easy to do in an EV Start by accessing the useful state EV planning tool and then hit 56-miles High Road to Taos, passing through villages with beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Eligible stops include El Santuario de Chimayo, a church built in 1813 that is still a destination for pilgrims. From Taos, the Enchanted Circle Good Byway wind through breathtaking mountain scenery (some featured in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”) and mountain towns like Red River and Questa – these towns are great places for hiking, fishing and other outdoor adventures. A detour to Taos Ski Valley worth getting, both for a fee and for mountain biking.
