EV Road Trip Cost Calculator
Price a long drive with DC fast charging included, and see how it compares to gas.
At public DC fast chargers priced near 42¢/kWh, an EV road trip costs roughly 10–16¢ per mile. A 1,000-mile trip runs about $120 in charging versus about $114 in gas at 28 mpg, so on public charging the EV only matches or slightly beats gas. The big savings come from charging at home.
Home charging makes EVs cheap; road trips are where that changes. On a long drive you rely on DC fast chargers priced two to three times your home rate, so the gap over gasoline narrows or disappears. This calculator prices a specific trip using the share you fast-charge versus top up at home.
It also estimates how many charging stops you’ll make, since fast charging is quickest between about 20% and 80% state of charge.
How we calculate this
We convert your trip miles into kilowatt-hours at your car’s efficiency, price the fast-charged share at the public rate and the rest at your home rate, then compare the total to the same miles on gas.
What affects your cost
DC fast charging price
Public fast charging averages 40–45¢/kWh. Superchargers, Electrify America, and EVgo included. That is two to three times a home rate and the single biggest cost driver.
How much you fast-charge
Charging to full at home before and after the trip cuts cost sharply. The more of the trip you cover on public fast chargers, the closer to (or above) gas you land.
Cold weather
Freezing weather can cut range 20–30% and raise energy per mile, meaning more stops and a higher trip cost. Budget extra in winter.
Idle and session fees
Some networks add idle fees or per-session charges. They are small per stop but add up across a multi-stop drive.
Common questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV on a road trip?+−
Expect roughly 10–16¢ per mile at public DC fast chargers priced near 42¢/kWh. A 1,000-mile trip in an efficient EV runs about $100–$160 in charging, versus about $114 in gas at 28 mpg and $3.20 a gallon.
Is an EV cheaper than gas on a road trip?+−
Often it is close, not a landslide. Public DC fast charging at about 42¢/kWh costs far more than home charging, so a road-trip EV may only match or slightly beat a 28-mpg gas car. The savings gap is much wider when you charge at home.
How much does DC fast charging cost per kWh?+−
Public DC fast charging in the US averages around 40–45¢/kWh, roughly two to three times a typical home rate. Prices vary by network, state, and membership plan, so cost per mile swings with where you plug in.
How many charging stops will a road trip need?+−
Divide trip miles by about 60% of your EV’s real range, since fast charging is fastest from 20% to 80%. A 300-mile-range EV usually needs a stop every 180–220 highway miles, or about four to five stops on a 1,000-mile drive.
Does a Tesla Supercharger cost more than charging at home?+−
Yes. Supercharging typically costs 30–50¢/kWh, while home charging often runs 12–16¢. On a road trip you pay the higher public rate, which is why long-distance EV savings shrink compared with daily home charging.
How much does it cost to charge from 20% to 80% on a trip?+−
For a 75 kWh battery, charging 20% to 80% adds about 45 kWh. At 42¢/kWh that costs roughly $19 and adds around 180–220 miles of range in 20–35 minutes on a fast charger.
Do EV road trips cost more in cold weather?+−
Yes. Cold weather can cut EV range 20–30% and raise energy use, so you charge more often and pay more per mile. Budget extra charging stops and a higher trip cost when driving an EV in winter.
Trip energy uses EPA efficiency; the public share is priced at a 42¢/kWh DC fast average and the home share at your rate. Stops assume useful charging between 20–80% of range. Gas comparison uses your mpg and pump price. Estimates only, real network pricing, weather, and terrain vary. Full methodology →