EV Road Trip Charging Guide: Oregon & Washington

Portland to Seattle in an EV? No problem. Bend to the Oregon Coast? Doable. Spokane to Mount Rainier? With the right planning, you’ll spend less time charging than you would at a gas station.

Here’s the exact route, charging stops, and cost breakdown for the I-5 corridor, I-84 to Boise, and US-101 along the coast—plus how to avoid the one mistake that leaves EV road trippers stranded.

The answer is a resounding yes. With Oregon and Washington’s growing network of fast chargers, planning an EV road trip is easier than ever. gas** (spoiler: EVs are cheaper!)

**Tips for winter driving in the PNW

Why EV Road Trips Work in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is one of the best regions in the U.S. for EV road trips**, thanks to:

A Growing Fast-Charging Network

Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Tesla Superchargers are expanding rapidly.
Oregon and Washington have invested in high-speed charging corridors along major highways.

Scenic Routes with Charging Stops

I-5: Portland Seattle Vancouver, BC
I-84: Portland Hood River Boise
US-101: Astoria Newport Coos Bay Crescent City

State Incentives for EV Travel

Oregon: No sales tax on EVs, plus state and utility incentives for charging equipment. While the federal tax credit for home charger installation expired in 2026, programs like the Energy Trust of Oregon and local utility rebates may still offer savings.
Washington: **Sales tax exemptions for EVs under $45,000.

Charging Networks Along Major PNW Routes

Here’s a breakdown of the best charging networks and where to find them along popular road trip routes:

I-5 Corridor: Portland to Seattle (and Beyond)

| Location | Charging Network | Number of Stalls | Max Power (kW) | Amenities | |------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------| | Wilsonville, OR** | Electrify America | 8 | 350 | Starbucks, restrooms | | Woodburn, OR | ChargePoint | 4 | 150 | Outlet Mall, food options | | Tacoma, WA | EVgo | 6 | 350 | Shopping, restaurants | | Seattle, WA | Tesla Supercharger | 12 | 250 | Whole Foods, nearby hotels | | Bellingham, WA | Electrify America | 6 | 350 | Fred Meyer, restrooms |

Pro Tip: The Wilsonville Electrify America station is one of the fastest and most reliable on the West Coast—perfect for a quick top-up.

I-84 Corridor: Portland to Boise (via Hood River)

| Location | Charging Network | Number of Stalls | Max Power (kW) | Amenities | |------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------| | Troutdale, OR | Electrify America | 6 | 350 | Fred Meyer, fast food | | Hood River, OR | ChargePoint | 4 | 150 | Scenic views, breweries | | The Dalles, OR | Tesla Supercharger | 8 | 250 | Walmart, restaurants | | Pendleton, OR | EVgo | 4 | 150 | Casino, gas station | | Boise, ID | Electrify America | 8 | 350 | Target, shopping |

Pro Tip: Hood River is a great place to charge while enjoying a meal with a view of the Columbia River Gorge.

US-101 Corridor: Oregon Coast (Astoria to Crescent City)

| Location | Charging Network | Number of Stalls | Max Power (kW) | Amenities | |------------------------|-------------------------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------| | Astoria, OR | ChargePoint | 4 | 150 | Waterfront, seafood | | Seaside, OR | EVgo | 2 | 100 | Beach access, shops | | Newport, OR | Electrify America | 4 | 350 | Oregon Coast Aquarium | | Coos Bay, OR | ChargePoint | 4 | 150 | Walmart, restaurants | | Crescent City, CA | Tesla Supercharger | 8 | 250 | Safeway, nearby hotels |

Pro Tip: The Newport Electrify America station is a **great place to charge while exploring the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Trip Planning Apps for EV Road Trips

Planning an EV road trip is easier than ever with these apps and tools**:

A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)

What it does: Plans your route, estimates charging stops, and accounts for elevation, weather, and traffic.
Best for: Long road trips with multiple charging stops.
**Website: abetterrouteplanner.com

PlugShare**

What it does: Crowdsourced map of charging stations, including user reviews and photos.
Best for: Finding hidden gems and avoiding broken chargers.
Website: plugshare.com

ChargeHub

What it does: Maps charging stations and provides real-time availability.
Best for: Quickly finding available chargers along your route.
Website: chargehub.com

Tesla Trip Planner (for Tesla Owners)

What it does: Built into Tesla’s navigation system, it plans routes with Supercharger stops.
Best for: Tesla owners who want **seamless integration.

Costs: EV Charging vs. Gas

One of the biggest perks of driving an EV? It’s cheaper than gas—even on road trips.** Here’s a cost comparison for a **Portland to Seattle round trip (350 miles):

| Vehicle Type | Fuel/Charging Cost (Round Trip) | Notes | |------------------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Gas Car (30 MPG)** | ~$40 - $50 | Assuming $3.50/gallon | | Gas Car (20 MPG) | ~$60 - $75 | Assuming $3.50/gallon | | EV (300 Wh/mile) | ~$15 - $25 | Assuming $0.12/kWh at home, $0.30/kWh fast charging | | EV (Tesla Model Y) | ~$12 - $20 | Assuming $0.25/kWh Supercharger rate |

Why EVs Are Cheaper:

Electricity is less expensive than gas (even at fast chargers).
No sales tax on electricity in Oregon and Washington.
**Regenerative braking recovers energy on downhill stretches (common in the PNW!).

Tips for EV Road Trips in the Pacific Northwest

Plan for Winter Driving**

Cold weather reduces range by 20-30%. Plan for extra charging stops in winter.
Precondition your battery while plugged in to improve efficiency.
**Pack an emergency kit (blankets, flashlight, snacks) in case of unexpected delays.

Charge to 80% for Faster Stops**

Fast chargers slow down after 80% to protect your battery. For road trips, charge to 80% and move on to save time.

Use Off-Peak Hours

Charging is cheaper and faster during off-peak hours (overnight or early morning).
Avoid peak demand times (4 PM - 9 PM) when chargers are busiest.

Check Charger Availability

Use PlugShare or ChargeHub to check real-time availability before arriving at a charger.
Have a backup plan in case your preferred charger is out of service.

Take Advantage of Amenities

Combine charging with meals, shopping, or sightseeing to make the most of your time.
**Many fast chargers are located near restaurants, restrooms, and shops.

Sample Road Trip: Portland to Bend (via Hood River)

Distance:** 160 miles one way Elevation Gain: ~3,500 feet Best EV for the Trip: Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5

Route Plan

Portland Troutdale (20 miles)

Charge at: Electrify America (Troutdale)
Charge to: 80% (20 min)

Troutdale Hood River (60 miles)

Charge at: ChargePoint (Hood River)
Charge to: 70% (15 min)
Explore: Hood River waterfront, breweries

Hood River Bend (80 miles)

Charge at: Electrify America (Bend)
Charge to: 80% (20 min)
Explore: Deschutes Brewery, downtown Bend

Total Charging Time: ~1 hour Total Trip Time: ~4 hours (including stops)

Bottom Line

EV road trips in Oregon and Washington are totally doable—and often cheaper and more convenient than gas cars.
I-5, I-84, and US-101 are well-covered by **fast-charging networks like Electrify America, ChargePoint, and Tesla Superchargers.
Use trip planning apps** (ABRP, PlugShare) to map out charging stops and avoid range anxiety.
EVs are cheaper than gas for road trips, even with fast charging costs.
**Plan for winter driving with extra charging stops and battery preconditioning.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the best places in the U.S. for EV road trips**. Hit the road, explore the beauty of Oregon and Washington, and enjoy the ride—without the gas station stops!