7 of the Best Drives In the World for EVs

• by Kris Cook
• January 12, 2023
• 11 min read

Idyllic and totally unforgettable, today we’re looking at some of the best drives in the world for you and your electric vehicle to embark on.

Electric vehicles have gotten some stick in recent years over range anxiety, which is the fear that the vehicle will conk out after a limited number of miles. While true to some extent, this hasn’t stopped countless drivers from taking a scenic drive or two.

Besides, it’s not like there aren’t any charging stations along the way!

If your vehicle needs juice then there should be nothing stopping you from pulling over for a short while as you soak in the scenery.

In case you haven’t guessed, today we’ll be picking out our personal favourites of the bunch by highlighting some of the best road trips to take in an electric vehicle.

Our goal is to highlight some beautiful locations, but also, to demonstrate where you can go behind the wheel of an EV (which is practically anywhere, within reason).

Now, let’s get moving.

Best Drives in the World for Electric Vehicles

A lot of blogs on the topic of scenic routes in an EV tend to limit themselves to one continent, such as Europe. While Europe has some of the best driving routes in the world for electric vehicles, we know that there are other incredible trips to take elsewhere in the world.

Which is why we opted not to limit ourselves to one particular continent (this list is worldwide, baby).

Also, it’s in no particular order.

Sure, some of these drives we like more than others, but we understand that you might have a completely different opinion.

In other words, we class all of these drives as “the best” and they should be added to any driving-related bucket lists you may have. Just remember to fill us in on the experience after the fact!

UK: Jurassic Coast

Miles: 95 Miles
Drive Because: It’s the ideal beach drive for dinosaur and fossil lovers

If you love the smell of fresh sea air, then you’ll love this trip along the Jurassic Coast. Covering 95 miles, this route takes you from East Devon all the way to Dorset.

It’s known as the Jurassic Coast as these areas are famous for its fossils and for the various rocks lining its coast — some of which do look a little like dinosaurs if you squint and turn your head a little.

Fun fact:

This location is England’s only natural World Heritage Site (inscribed by UNESCO in 2001).

If you’d like to get out of your vehicle and explore this land that time forgot, know that there are plenty of opportunities to do so. There’s also plenty to do in terms of relaxing, exploring, and picture-taking.

In short, this trip ticks many boxes in one fell swoop as far as the best drives in the world are concerned.

One more fun fact before we look at the next location:

The TV series, ‘Broadchurch’ was filmed in Dorset.

Ain’t Switzerland beautiful?

Switzerland: The Grand Tour of Switzerland

Miles: Varies
Drive Because: Switzerland has many hidden gems worth seeking out

Switzerland is hailed by many as being the “world’s first road trip for electric vehicles,” and with good reason.

There are hundreds of EV charging stations lining the roads of this country, making it very easy to nip around and not have to worry about where your next charge is coming from.

If we were to put a number on how many EV chargers there are on this tour, we’d probably have to say something like 300, maybe even more, given how often new charging stations are being implemented across all of Switzerland.

This is why we’ve said that the amount of miles can vary as it depends entirely on how many stops you want to add on the trip.

That said, if you’re going to do this trip then you have to do it right. We’d highly recommend stopping at Basel, Baden, Zurich and Appenzell. All are must-see destinations and give you the opportunity to soak in all kinds of culture alongside your trusty electric steed.

If you’re slightly hesitant about going straight into a long drive in Switzerland, then we’d suggest doing a shorter route first (something like Basel to Neuchatel).

Doing so will help build your confidence while also getting to enjoy this beautiful country from the comfort of your vehicle or on foot.

USA: Chicago to Los Angeles

Miles: 2500 Miles
Drive Because: It’s an American road trip for the ages

Is there anything better than a good old fashioned American road trip?

This is a rhetorical question, of course, as not a lot can compare. Unlike some of the other best drives in the world mentioned in this post, this trip we’re suggesting you take – one that stretches from one side of the country to the other – takes weeks to complete.

We’ve included this longer trip on purpose, to give you something to seek your teeth into if you’re looking for a much bigger challenge.

One of the best things about this trip is that it puts you on the world famous Route 66. On this route you’;ll find around 1800 chargers, which should be more than enough to help you reach your destination.

Here’s one way to do this trip, in case you’re stuck on how to plan it:

• Start in New Mexico
• Head to Santa Fe
• Pit stop at the Grand Canyon
• Travel through Flagstaff, Arizona
• Then head to California

Do keep in mind that this is only a snippet of how you can approach this trip. If you do it right, it should take you around a fortnight to complete it, which is more than enough time to see some sights and gain that ultimate feeling of satisfaction once you hit the end.

South Africa is home to some of the best EV trips

South Africa: Cape Route 62

Miles: 1271 Miles
Drive Because: A journey to the unexpected in every which way

Mountains upon mountains, that’s what you’re getting and so much more should you choose to take on Cape Route 62. This is one of several reasons why we believe this trip to be one of the best drives in the world!

For those not up to date with their electric driving routes, Cape Route 62 runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and like Route 66, balancing the urban with the rural for many, many miles.

This scenic route passes through farming towns such as Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Robertson, McGregor, Rawsonville, Worcester, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl.

So many locations and all the time in the world to enjoy them at your own pace courtesy of the countless electric charging stations scattered throughout.

Some of the sights seen on this trip need to be seen to be believed. Everytime we see an image from this route it just makes us want to run it back one more time.

I’m sure you’re in the same boat if you’ve done this trip before?

Spain: Valencia and the Costa Blanca

Miles: Varies
Drive Because: This drive is vibrant and magic on all the senses

Spain is unlike any other country in the world in terms of visuals. Show anyone a picture taken from this place without them knowing where it’s from and we can guarantee they’ll know where it was taken.

The drives are equally as unforgettable. Case and point:

The trip you can take between Valencia and the city of Costa Blanca.

Valencia is a bright and bustling city full of vibrant buildings and even brighter people. It also has a rich history spanning 2,000 years, which is all most drivers need to hear when looking at their next major driving destination.

For EV owners, there are over 100 chargers on this route. This should give you the freedom to explore as much of these areas as possible before range anxiety creeps in.

This should be more than enough charge to take you to Alicante’s old town Barrio de la Santa Cruz or the sandy beaches of Dénia. Your options are pretty much limitless here, so feel free to explore and go off the beaten path.

In short, Spain’s east coast has so much to offer, all you need to do is reach out.

Road trips in Norway are something else…

Norway: The Atlantic Road Trip

Miles: 191 Miles
Drive Because: It’s our favourite electric vehicle trip, period

Norway is seen by many as the electric vehicle capital of the world, so it only makes sense that you plan a trip there, right?

The Atlantic Road trip is probably our favourite electric vehicle trip, if we’re being completely honest, mostly due to the fact that it’s one long stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean’s edge.

Fun fact:

In 2005, the road was voted Norway’s ‘Engineering Feat of the Century’ while also being adorned with a bunch of additional awards.

This drive connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 metres. It’s also free to traverse, meaning there is no toll fee required.

There are multiple designated parking spots as you drive, and trust us when we tell you that you will want to stop every now and then, not to take breaks, but to marvel at what’s around you.

Unlike a lot of other trips, this one does an excellent job in balancing nature with various man-made structures; it’s a careful balance that never loses its charm.

Australia: The Great Ocean Road Trip

Miles: 413 Miles
Drive Because: See Australia like you’ve never seen it before

We can’t have a blog dedicated to the best drives in the world for electric vehicles and not talk about the Great Ocean Road trip! This three-day touring route starts from surf capital Torquay to the iconic 12 Apostles, ending at Port Fairy.

We like this trip for a few reasons. For starters, it’s a very easy drive that takes you along cliff tops and surf beaches, not to mention, a lush rainforest.

Second of all, there’s a bunch of wildlife to spot on your travels, such as koalas, kangaroos, and even whales (oh my)!

The best way to approach this journey is by breaking it up into sections. For day one you should travel from Melbourne to Apollo Bay (should take around 3 hours).

Day two takes you from Apollo Bay to Port Fairy (again, 3 hours total).

On the final day is where you take slightly longer, going from Port Fairy back to Melbourne (3.5 hours).

The inland route for the way back is easily the best option as it permits you to stop off at one of several local cafes/businesses! Again, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on this route as there’s plenty to see.

7 of the Best Drives in the World For EVs

If you’re looking to drive off on more electric trips, then we’d highly recommend asking some of your fellow drivers. They tend to be a treasure trove of information and can relate with you on so many levels as far as scenic routes go.

Or better yet, why not create your own trips the old fashioned way?

Grab yourself a map, making sure to highlight any potential charging points, and create your own adventures from there.

We hope we’ve alleviated any range anxiety in this post, by the way, as a lot of people might look at some of these drives and begin to worry about not having enough power to finish them.

In recent years, charging infrastructure around the world has grown by leaps and bounds and will continue to do so as electric vehicles begin to fully eclipse the gas-guzzlers of old. That means that even more drives will be available, giving you the power to go just about anywhere!

That said, it’s not like you can’t go on some of the best drives in the world currently, as proven by this post.

Did we leave any trips off our list? If so, be sure to let us know about it via our social media and we’ll get this list updated. Also, do let us know if you’ve already completed any of these trips prior (pictures are highly encouraged, too).

Kris Cook

Hey, I’m Kris, a Junior Content Strategist at E4TP. At the moment I live in the world of EVs, keeping up on current trends in the space, and delivering quality content. I’m a creative type both inside and outside of work, in that I write poetry in my spare time, design independent zines, and paint. When I’m not knee deep in any of that, I collect vinyl (my collection has around 150 LPs in it), and enjoy spending time with pals outdoors, mostly on a bike — or in another country.

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