Worried about switching to an EV and ending up out of charge on the road? Don’t fret too much – electric cars can go pretty far on just a single charge! However, cross-country travel might have a few niggles related to charging infrastructure.
With the average gas price in the country inching towards $5/ gallon, it’s time you seriously considered buying an electric vehicle. Besides being cleaner and more affordable, electric cars have seen rapid technological advancements in recent years. However, every driver fears being stuck on the road, out of charge, and clueless—also called Range Anxiety.
While gas stations are common throughout the country and in cities, EV charging infrastructure is only ramping up. This also means that drivers will be more concerned with how much distance they can cover in one charge. EVs can now travel anywhere between 150-250 miles pretty easily – and some even more without breaking a sweat!
How Far Can You Go in an Electric Car in One Charge?
The answer to this depends on whether you own a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).
Today, full-electric BEVs have an average range of 250 miles on one charge. However, new models from marquee companies like Tesla and Mercedes can travel as far as 600 miles in a single charge.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have an electric motor, battery, an internal combustion engine, and a gasoline tank. This means they can run on both gas and electricity and switch between the two when required. Hybrids can typically run for about 50-60 miles purely in electric mode (single charge), after which they can cover an average of 250-300 miles. However, other factors like your vehicle mileage and weather conditions can affect how far your electric car can go in one charge.
Which Electric Car Has the Longest Range On A Full Charge?
Currently, the Model S from Tesla has an enviable range of 405 miles, making it the most dependable electric vehicle in the segment. However, two offerings from the Mercedes-Benz stable – the EQE and EQS – have reported ranges of 410 miles and 485 miles respectively.
Is an Electric Car Good for Long-Distance Travel?
You can use an electric car for long-distance travel as long as there are enough charging stations along your route – otherwise, it’s likely you’ll suffer “range anxiety.” Unlike gas stations (which are a dime a dozen along American highways), very few highways in the country have charging infrastructure at regular intervals. However, there are concerted efforts to improve EV charging infrastructure by major players like EVgo, Electrify America, and Tesla.
Can You Travel across the Country in an Electric Car?
Even with the extended range, EV battery capacity and charging times can still limit the range of electric cars. It’s best to continue using regular cars for cross-country trips in the near future until there is a uniform standard of charging infrastructure across the country. That way, you can at least hike to the nearest gas station if you run out of gas!
However, keep an eye on how different states develop their charging infrastructure in the coming months. There is significant improvement happening on that front, with California leading the pack. It has more than 178,500 charging stations and counting (as of March 2025).
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
