Like so many aspects of modern life, a good EV road trip starts with a visit to the app store. While EV charging stations are becoming a common sight on highways and byways across the US, those embracing the new generation of all-electric vehicles still need to do a little extra planning if they hope to reach their destination on schedule. There are plenty of apps that can ease the logistical challenges of your next all-electric road trip, including built-in platforms, popular offerings from today’s tech giants, and EV-specific apps from both DC fast-charging companies and third-party outfits. Each option offers unique advantages, from calculating a route based on your current battery level and preferred EV charging network to displaying the current availability of charging stations, filtering by connector type and charging speed. Some even show you nearby amenities and points of interest that might help to pass the time as you’re waiting to refill your battery. Let’s walk through each type of app and discover which platform is the right fit for your own EV driving needs as we explore some of the most popular offerings on today’s market.
Built-In Navigation
Many of today’s EVs come packed with a built-in navigation system designed to plot a route with ample charging opportunities. Tesla was one of the first brands to pioneer this approach, with a system leveraging Google Maps data and its proprietary routing software to seamlessly guide drivers to their destination. Tesla has even improved on the standard formula with a unique feature that preconditions the EV’s battery as it nears one of the brand’s Supercharger stations, speeding up the vehicle’s charging time and improving the battery’s longevity.
Established automakers have also jumped on the trend, with everyone from Ford and Chevy to Stellantis and more introducing their own built-in apps for EV route planning. Stellantis’ e-ROUTES app can be found on a wide range of Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo models. The system uses real-time traffic data and vehicle charging levels to plot the perfect route, and can even alert drivers to the current availability of their nearest charging station. Ford’s built-in route planning makes life much easier for F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E drivers by directing them to nearby BlueOval Charge Network chargers. It even suggests nearby activities to kill a little time while topping off your battery.
Charging Network Apps
Tesla’s trailblazing approach to the EV segment has seen the company’s Supercharger network for DC fast-charging stations quickly become a force to be reckoned with on the US market, with more than 50 percent market share. Once reserved for Tesla vehicles, many non-Tesla drivers can now utilize Superchargers as more brands adopt its North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors and ports.
Drivers should be aware of two other major players in the DC fast-charging game. ChargePoint is the nation’s leader in terms of EV charging ports, though a vast majority of their stations rely on slower Level 2 chargers. Electrify America is making a play for Tesla’s fast-charging crown, and has managed to gobble up nearly 10 percent of the market as of mid-2025. Both companies offer their own apps that can be used to locate charging stations, pay for services, and plan a route that’ll never be too far from one of their locations. Electrify America and ChargePoint also have a reciprocal roaming agreement, which means that drivers can use the ChargePoint app to access Electrify America chargers and vice versa.
Apple and Google Maps
Sometimes there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel. Google Maps and Apple Maps have long been the names to beat in the GPS navigation game, and it’s easy to see why. Both apps are routinely included as part of a vehicle’s standard package as a built-in app or available through various smartphone integration systems such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Google Maps has specific settings for EVs, though some drivers report that it’s not as seamless as some of the other offerings currently on the market. Apple Maps offers a little more functionality, and can even be paired with the Tesla app to provide an all-in-one route planning and charging solution.
Third-Party Apps
A number of third-party apps have popped up to assist EV drivers with their route-planning needs. There are plenty of options when browsing the app store, but two names have risen to the top in recent years.
PlugShare is easily the most popular EV-specific app on the market, with over 3.6 million unique downloads across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app has logged a stellar 4.7-star rating and is lauded for its community-driven data. Users not only use the app to plan their route but also read reviews and comments, view photos, and filter for specific features and amenities before they commit to making a pit stop.
A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) gives PlugShare a run for its money. While it lags way behind in the number of downloads, it’s perfect for those who like to plan their journey well ahead of time. Available as both a desktop and mobile app, ABRP allows drivers to input specific details about their EV and its initial battery level to craft the best possible route. As with any app, deciding between PlugShare and ABRP largely comes down to a matter of taste, with each option offering a unique user interface and functionality.
Additional EV Tips
Plotting an efficient route is an important part of a successful journey in an EV, but it’s not the only aspect drivers should consider before setting off down the road. It’s always a good idea to start your trip with a fully charged battery to maximize your range and perform fewer pit stops. Drivers should also keep a basic Level 1 charger on hand at all times. It might not be the quickest option when it comes to topping off your battery, but it could come in clutch if you find yourself miles away from the nearest EV charger. Also, remember to pack a few common charging adapters, as different models and EV charging networks might require their own proprietary plugs.
The way you drive your EV can also be just as impactful as where or how far you drive your EV. As with any vehicle, driving at a steady speed and avoiding any unnecessary acceleration can go a long way towards conserving energy and allowing an EV to achieve its maximum range. Drivers should also be aware of the impact of extremely high and low temperatures on an EV’s battery. An EV can lose up to 30 percent of its range when the thermometer starts to drop, or as high as 40 percent when the cabin heater is called into action. High temperatures can have a noticeable effect, with typical range loss hovering around 17 percent at 90 to 95°F. High winds also impact an EV’s aerodynamic performance, which is why drivers should always reference a weather report and plan accordingly before setting out on a longer ride.
If you want to give yourself some wiggle room, you can always employ the EV equivalent of setting your watch ahead by five minutes to ensure you’re never late to an appointment. By adjusting an EV’s minimum battery percentage to around 10 percent, drivers can give themselves an important emergency reserve that can come in handy if they experience some unavoidable delay, roadblock, or unexpectedly harsh weather. Drivers should try to sample all the current EV route planning apps before settling on their chosen platform, and routinely check for updates or new products that could make their next journey just a little easier. Range anxiety is still cited as one of the most common roadblocks to widespread EV adoption, but with a little research, some helpful apps, and efficient driving techniques, many drivers will find their new electric vehicles to be just as convenient as their gas-burning predecessors.
