Planning Road Trips and Long-Distance Journeys

Half a bottle of iced coffee rolling around, me barely awake, and I’m suddenly realizing planning a long EV trip is like juggling groceries while your keys are already at the bottom of a puddle. That itch—where’s the next charger? Why does the navigation voice sound so annoyed at me? Is it judging my life choices?

Pre-Trip Charging Strategies

Packing for a trip with an EV, I never start with clothes—first thing is charger locations. Weather app open, battery at 79%, and then the internal argument: do I risk it at a “supercharger” or just hope the generic station isn’t broken? Last Friday, I stood in my driveway arguing with myself about whether FordPass would work or if Tesla’s Superchargers might magically let me in. (They don’t. Unless you like adapters and filling out forms.)

One big mistake: don’t trust every “fast charger” on the map. Sometimes it’s blocked by a BMW whose owner disappeared for snacks. Sure, the map shows options, but real planning is stalking PlugShare at midnight, checking if the motel has a random outlet, and, yes, printing a paper list because cell data dies in the middle of nowhere. My cousin keeps telling me to save every stop, like spreadsheets will keep me sane. Maybe she’s onto something.

Packing tips:

• Two types of charging cables, always
• RFID cards for the weird networks
• Snacks, because watching a battery climb to 100% is actual torture

Real-World Experiences With Charging Networks

Pulled up to an “ultra-rapid” charger—yeah, five cars in line, one Tesla hogging the only working port, and a guy in pajama pants pacing and cursing with his Ford key fob. I mapped three backup stations, but the BMW in front of me wanted to talk about his summer house instead of unplugging. Classic.

These networks are a mess. Ford’s BlueOval, BMW’s ChargeNow, random local ones, and if you’re not in a Tesla, you’re just kinda left out unless you bring adapters and patience for app signups that feel like tax season. Sometimes the app just freezes mid-charge—one time my phone died, the charger quit, and the next driver was already tapping my window.

If the station’s full, I just wander the convenience store, staring at snacks I don’t want, waiting for the app or, worse, a loudspeaker to call me. No music, no nap, just time stretching out. And anyone who says “charging is just like filling up with gas” has never shuffled between half-dead chargers with sore feet.

Goodbye to Gas Stations: Everyday Driving Without Fuel Stops

I don’t miss those gross pump handles. Not even a little. Errands and commutes just happen—no last-minute detours, no lingering stench of petrol. Other routines pop up, though, and it’s weird.

Adapting to the Absence of Gasoline

Buying windshield wiper fluid is now the highlight (sad, but true). I barely remember gas stations. Dashboard never yells at me with an E, I never smack it in traffic, hoping I’ll make it.

Plugging in at home just feels like charging my phone—sockets everywhere, unless you’re in one of those apartments with outlets on a different planet. Oil-change punch card? Pointless. My neighbor keeps asking if I miss the engine sound. I don’t, but sometimes I look at old carburetor diagrams online just for the nostalgia. Skipping a habit you’ve had for years is bizarre—like forgetting to buy bread when you move.

Time Savings and New Routines

Mornings are different now. I don’t add ten minutes for a random gas line or someone scrubbing their minivan windows while everyone waits. Not a huge time-saver, but it adds up. Sometimes I make coffee after plugging the car in, like it needs a treat before bed.

Lists now:

• No surprise gas runs
• No hunting for rewards cards
• No sniffing for leaks (was there a recall?)
• No panic over gas prices before holidays

But yeah, new rituals sneak in. I check my charging schedule instead of fuel prices. I used to tap my foot at the gas counter; now if I wait, it’s for groceries. My hands stay cleaner. My shoes last longer. My parents still keep a can of gas for the mower, but it just sits. Someone should invent a coffee maker that also charges cars, honestly.