Top West Coast EV Road Trips

Top Road Trips for Electric Vehicles West Coast

Sarah MattieUpdated June 30, 2022

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If you're more of the "West Coast is the best coast" variety, there are several great trips you can take through that part of the country. Thanks to recent legislation in California, there are many charging stations available.

California Coast Road Trip for EVs

With its near-perfect weather, various attractions, and natural beauty, California is an unforgettable state for a road trip. Here's a route to take you along the California coast from Eureka to San Diego. We’ve plotted it north to south, but this route can be traveled from south to north as well. This is a lengthier road trip, so be sure to build in overnight stops along the way. 1. Eureka, CAEureka-Bayshore Mall3300 Broadway St.Eureka, CA 95501This type of mall is a great place to stock up on anything you might need for a long trip, but it's also across the highway from Fort Humboldt State Historic Park. So you can get your shopping and outdoorsy fixes in one place! 2. Santa Rosa, CACity of Santa Rosa City Hall100 Santa Rosa Ave.Santa Rosa, CA 95404This charging location is very close to several parks, including Sonoma Avenue Park and Prince Memorial Greenway Trail. It's also near the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. 3. South San Francisco, CAOffice Park7000 Shoreline Ct.South San Francisco,CA 94080This charging station is right next to the San Francisco Bay Trail, so you can take a walk while your car charges. Then you can head to the San Bruno Mountain State & County Park or one of the nearby docks or fishing piers. You may opt to spend a few nights in SF to take in all this electric city has to offer. You’d be hard-pressed to find an activity, restaurant, or historic site that doesn’t wow you.4. Santa Cruz, CARiverwalk Plaza700 Front St.Santa Cruz, CA 95060This charging station is in the middle of a variety of spots to stop. It's close to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, the Santa Cruz Riverwalk, Curated by the Sea (a local artists gallery), and many Asian restaurants. 5. Buttonwillow, CAStarbucks20673 Tracy Ave.Buttonwillow, CA 93206 This is one of those stops intended to be a quick pass through or overnight, as it's a charging station surrounded largely by hotels on either side of the highway. However, a few miles west you can visit the historic Buttonwillow tree, the town’s namesake and meeting place for the ancient Yokuts Native American tribe. 6. Los Angeles, CASilver Lake Library2411 Glendale Ave.Los Angeles, CA 90039This charging station puts you within just a few miles of some of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks. Catch a game at Dodger Stadium or take in the stars at the Griffith Observatory. Or, marvel at a different kind of star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you’re craving the coast, head about 20 miles west for the Santa Monica Pier. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the Venice Boardwalk awaits your arrival. There’s something for everyone in L.A.--do some research ahead of time so you can fit everything you want to see and do into your stop in the City of Angels.7. San Diego, CACharging Point Charging Station1600 Pacific Hwy.San Diego, CA 92101This charging station is in Waterfront Park, across the road from the Star of India ship-turned museum, the HMS Surprise, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. You’ll also be just a few miles from Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo, beautiful outdoor spaces, and 17 museums.

Pacific Northwest Road Trip for EVs

If you’re looking for a road trip as green as your car, look no further than this Pacific Northwest route. The road trip will take you through some of the region's most notable cities, while still giving you the chance to enjoy the verdant landscape this part of the country is known for. We’ve plotted the route north to south, from Spokane, WA to Bend, OR. However, you can also drive this from south to north.1. Spokane, WARiver Park Square777 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.Spokane, WA 99201Across the street from this charging station, you can find Riverfront Park, which includes Huntington Park where you can see Spokane Falls. Mobius Discovery Center, an interactive science museum for children, is also nearby. 2. Snoqualmie Pass, WASnoqualmie Pass Chevron519 SR 906Snoqualmie Pass, WA 96068This charging spot is the perfect place to stop if you’re looking to hit the slopes. It’s right by Summit Central, which hosts a plethora of skiing and snowboarding runs (there are also sledding slopes available). During the warmer months, you can explore the trails around Margaret Lake and Lillian Lake, which are about a 20-minute drive from the charging station. 3. Seattle, WACity of Seattle-Central Library1000 4th Ave.Seattle, WA 98104 In Seattle, no matter where you go, you can find something to do. This library charging spot is surrounded by hotels if you want to stay here overnight to truly enjoy everything about the city. Nearby, you can find the Museum of Museums, the Original Selfie Museum, the Seattle Great Wheel, and many other sites to keep you entertained. 4. Portland, OREVgo Charging Station2170 NW Raleigh St. Portland, OR 97210Nearby this fast EVgo charging station, you can find the FreakyButTrue Peculiarium (a museum of all things weird), the Witch's Castle and Pittock Bird Sanctuary in Macleay Park, and Discovery Museum. Portland is another one of those cities where you may want to plan to spend a night or two just to explore all it has to offer. 5. Bend, ORHigh Desert Museum59800 S Highway 97Bend, OR 97702 The High Desert Museum is where several different national forests somewhat overlap. If you're here for the outdoors, this is the stop for you. You're just a stone's throw away from the Oregon Badlands, and if you head West, you can reach a swathe of hotels and campgrounds.

Take a West Coast Road Trip

The West Coast is called the “best coast” for a reason: the weather is unbeatable and the experiences are endless. Whether you’re a West Coast native or just visiting for a bit, these EV road trips will take you through some of the most scenic parts of the region. And Western states tend to have more EV-friendly laws and infrastructure, so you’re never far from a charging station.If you’re looking for more ways to get the most out of your EV–or any vehicle–consider auto loan refinancing. You may be able to secure lower interest rates and better terms, which could help lower your monthly car payment. Compare your auto loan refinancing rate options in minutes (without affecting your credit), on Lantern, today. Ready for more adventures on the open road? Check out our guides for top EV road trips in other parts of the country:

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About the Author

Sarah Mattie

Sarah Mattie is a researcher and writer with an education background. She's passionate about teaching others about financial issues and has written extensively for a variety of degree sites and financial institutions. Her writing covers credit cards, lending products, and paying for college, among other economic topics.

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