Charge up your summer: seven essential tips for EV road trips

2025-06-05


Summer is here. For EV drivers, it’s the perfect time to unplug from the daily grind and plug into adventure. At General Motors, we believe an epic road trip is a rite of passage. Going electric has never been more exciting.

Whether you’re gliding through California’s wine country in a Cadillac VISTIQ or towing your weekend toys with a GMC Sierra EV, here are seven tips to make the most of your EV road trip:

Caption: A 2026 GMC Sierra EV towing a boat

  • Plan your route with charging in mind: While there are more charging options available than ever before, a little planning can go a long way. Use the route planning features via the in-vehicle navigation system or in your GM vehicle brand app to plan your trip to find available charging stops. GM customers have access to more than 250,000 chargers across North America, many of which can be found near convenient food, retail, and fun family attractions, turning your recharge session into part of the adventure.

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  • Know your vehicle’s range: Road trips can often bring surprises – scenic detours, mountain passes, or spur-of-the-moment excursions. Understanding your EV’s realistic range helps you stay confident and flexible. Many GM EVs, like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, offer advanced range prediction, factoring in weather, terrain, and driving style.

Caption: A 2025 Blazer EV SS charging up.

  • Enjoy the ride, hands-free with Super Cruise: GM’s available Super Cruise1 technology takes road tripping to the next level. Available on a growing lineup of GM EVs, it enables hands-free driving on more than 585,000 miles of compatible roads.

  • Keep the whole family entertained: With GM’s infotainment system, long stretches of highway or stops along the way become part of the fun. Thanks to OnStar connectivity2, you can stream movies, music or podcasts, catch up on episodes of your favorite shows, or keep the kids entertained with video games. With GameSnacks, HBO Max, Prime Video, and other entertainment and browsing apps, boredom doesn’t stand a chance. GM’s built-in Google voice assistant3 can even answer questions about nearby attractions or make animal noises kids will love.

Caption: Take your bike along in your 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss.

  • Leverage regenerative braking: Tap into One-Pedal Driving4 to recapture energy and help to extend your range – a game changer that’s perfect for curvy back roads or stop-and-go driving in towns and parks.

  • Use your EV’s power to elevate adventure: Remember that select EVs can help power the experience. Certain GM EVs, such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV come equipped with off-board power or outlets, so you can power appliances, lights, cooking equipment, or tools. Charge your phone or laptop – or even another vehicle that’s run out of juice. Whether you’re setting up a glamping site, hosting a beach cookout or just charging everyone’s devices, your vehicle can do more than get you there – it can power the fun when you arrive.

  • Savor the drive: It’s not just about the destination, so have fun on the journey. Take the scenic route, make spontaneous stops, and create lasting memories. Every mile becomes part of the adventure. The best part of an EV road trip? Quality time with family and friends on the open road.

With innovative technologies, hassle-free charging and a focus on comfort and connection, EV road trips can be more enjoyable than ever. This summer, gather your favorite people, pick a destination, and embrace the freedom of the journey.

Caption: Load up your 2026 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ and hit the road.

1 Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit cadillacsupercruise.com, chevysupercruise.com, buick.com/explore/connectivity/super-cruise or gmc.com/connectivity-technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.

2 OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Subscription Service Agreement required. Call 1.888.4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or visit onstar.com for OnStar Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, details and system limitations.

3Footnote TKTK

4Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. Always use the brake pedal when you need to stop immediately. See Owner’s Manual for details. 

A 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ on the road near the Golden Gate Bridge in California
A 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ on the road near the Golden Gate Bridge in California

Summer is here. For EV drivers, it’s the perfect time to unplug from the daily grind and plug into adventure. At General Motors, we believe an epic road trip is a rite of passage. Going electric has never been more exciting.

Whether you’re gliding through California’s wine country in a Cadillac VISTIQ or towing your weekend toys with a GMC Sierra EV, here are seven tips to make the most of your EV road trip:

A 2026 GMC Sierra EV towing a boat
A 2026 GMC Sierra EV towing a boat

  • Plan your route with charging in mind: While there are more charging options available than ever before, a little planning can go a long way. Use the route planning features via the in-vehicle navigation system or in your GM vehicle brand app to plan your trip to find available charging stops. GM customers have access to more than 250,000 chargers across North America, many of which can be found near convenient food, retail, and fun family attractions, turning your recharge session into part of the adventure.
  • Know your vehicle’s range: Road trips can often bring surprises – scenic detours, mountain passes, or spur-of-the-moment excursions. Understanding your EV’s realistic range helps you stay confident and flexible. Many GM EVs, like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, offer advanced range prediction, factoring in weather, terrain, and driving style.

A 2025 Blazer EV SS charging up.
A 2025 Blazer EV SS charging up.
  • Enjoy the ride, hands-free with Super Cruise: GM’s available Super Cruise1 technology takes road tripping to the next level. Available on a growing lineup of GM EVs, it enables hands-free driving on more than 585,000 miles of compatible roads.
  • Keep the whole family entertained: With GM’s infotainment system, long stretches of highway or stops along the way become part of the fun. Thanks to OnStar connectivity2, you can stream movies, music or podcasts, catch up on episodes of your favorite shows, or keep the kids entertained with video games. With GameSnacks, HBO Max, Prime Video, and other entertainment and browsing apps, boredom doesn’t stand a chance. GM’s built-in Google voice assistant3 can even answer questions about nearby attractions or make animal noises kids will love.
Take your bike along in your 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss.
Take your bike along in your 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss.

  • Leverage regenerative braking: Tap into One-Pedal Driving4 to recapture energy and help to extend your range – a game changer that’s perfect for curvy back roads or stop-and-go driving in towns and parks.
  • Use your EV’s power to elevate adventure: Remember that select EVs can help power the experience. Certain GM EVs, such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV come equipped with off-board power or outlets, so you can power appliances, lights, cooking equipment, or tools. Charge your phone or laptop – or even another vehicle that’s run out of juice. Whether you’re setting up a glamping site, hosting a beach cookout or just charging everyone’s devices, your vehicle can do more than get you there – it can power the fun when you arrive.
  • Savor the drive: It’s not just about the destination, so have fun on the journey. Take the scenic route, make spontaneous stops, and create lasting memories. Every mile becomes part of the adventure. The best part of an EV road trip? Quality time with family and friends on the open road.

With innovative technologies, hassle-free charging and a focus on comfort and connection, EV road trips can be more enjoyable than ever. This summer, gather your favorite people, pick a destination, and embrace the freedom of the journey. 

Load up your 2026 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ and hit the road.
Load up your 2026 Cadillac ESCALADE IQ and hit the road.

1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply. Visit cadillacsupercruise.com, chevysupercruise.com, buick.com/explore/connectivity/super-cruise or gmc.com/connectivity-technology/super-cruise for compatible roads and full details.
2OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Subscription Service Agreement required. Call 1.888.4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or visit onstar.com for OnStar Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, details and system limitations.
3Google built-in services are subject to limitations and availability may vary by vehicle, infotainment system and location. Select service plan required. Certain Google actions and functionality may require account linking. User terms and privacy statements apply. Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC. (edited)
4Feature may be limited when the battery temperatures are extremely cold or hot or when battery is near full charge. Always use the brake pedal when you need to stop immediately. See Owner’s Manual for details.