Planning the Perfect Tesla Road Trip: Routes, Charging, and Hidden Gems
Your guide to unforgettable EV adventures across Europe
There's something uniquely relaxing about a Tesla road trip. The cabin stays quiet even at Autobahn speeds. Autopilot handles the monotonous stretches. And those charging stops? They force you to actually take breaks - something we all know we should do but rarely would with a combustion car. After thousands of kilometers across Europe in our Model Y, here's what we've learned about planning trips that are genuinely enjoyable, not just efficient.
What Makes Tesla Travel Different
Beyond the obvious (no fuel stops, lower running costs), Tesla road trips have a distinct rhythm. You drive 2-3 hours, stop for 20-30 minutes, stretch, eat something real, and continue refreshed. It's arguably healthier than the 'push through' mentality of traditional road trips.
Route Planning: Tesla Nav vs. ABRP
Tesla's built-in navigation has improved dramatically. For most trips, it now routes reliably through Superchargers and gets you there efficiently. But for complex journeys or when you want more control, A Better Route Planner (ABRP) remains valuable.
Use Tesla Navigation when:
- Your route is straightforward (A to B on main roads)
- You're happy with Supercharger-only charging
- You want simplicity - just enter destination and go
- You're in well-covered areas (Germany, Scandinavia, Benelux)
Use ABRP when:
- You want to include destination charging or non-Tesla chargers
- Planning multi-day trips with hotel charging
- You need precise arrival charge predictions for remote areas
- You prefer to see all options and make manual choices
- Traveling to areas with sparser Supercharger coverage
Pro tip: Check ABRP during planning, then just use Tesla nav during the actual trip. Best of both worlds.
Europe's Best EV Road Trip Routes
Some routes are simply made for electric travel - scenic, well-charged, and rewarding. Our favorites:
Norwegian Atlantic Road & Lofoten Start in Trondheim, head north through Ålesund, across the famous Atlantic Road, and up to Lofoten Islands. Supercharger coverage is excellent (Norway has more chargers per capita than anywhere). The scenery is unmatched, and the midnight sun in summer means endless driving hours if you want them.
Best time: June-August for midnight sun, September for Northern Lights chance Duration: 5-7 days minimum
Norway's roads practically beg you to stop and look around
German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstraße) From Lindau on Lake Constance to Berchtesgaden near Salzburg. 450km of Alpine scenery, castle visits, and mountain villages. Supercharger coverage along the A8 and A7 is dense, making detours stress-free.
Best time: May-October Duration: 3-4 days to enjoy it
Portugal's Atlantic Coast Lisbon to Porto via the coast, then inland through the Douro Valley. Portugal's Supercharger network has expanded significantly. Combine beach stops, historic towns, and wine country.
Best time: April-June or September-October (summer is crowded) Duration: 5-6 days
Scottish Highlands Edinburgh north through Cairngorms to Inverness, then west coast to Skye. Fewer Superchargers than continental Europe, but destination charging at hotels is common. The roads are quiet and the scenery is dramatic.
Best time: May-September (weather is still unpredictable) Duration: 5-7 days
Scenic vs. Fast
For the best road trip experience, budget 30% more time than Google Maps suggests. This isn't inefficiency - it's opportunity. That extra time becomes viewpoint stops, spontaneous detours, and proper lunch breaks instead of driving sandwiches.
Packing for a Tesla Road Trip
Your packing list differs slightly from a traditional car trip:
Essential:
- Charging cables (Type 2 for destination charging, blue camping cable for emergency outlets)
- Adapters for different outlet types (Schuko, CEE, etc.)
- Physical charging cards as backup (Plugsurfing, NewMotion cover most networks)
- Offline maps downloaded (cell coverage isn't guaranteed everywhere)
Comfort:
- Window shades (essential for sleep or just reducing heat)
- Good cooler bag (keeps food/drinks accessible in frunk)
- Pillows and blankets (makes rest stops more comfortable)
- Frunkly table for outdoor breaks
Tech:
- Power bank for phones (saves car battery for climate)
- Tablet/entertainment for passengers
- Dash cam if not built-in
The Road Trip Essential
Frunkly LT
Whether it's coffee at a viewpoint, lunch at a Supercharger, or breakfast at a campsite - the Frunkly table turns any stop into a proper break.
View ProductAccommodation Strategy
Mixing accommodation types makes road trips more interesting and practical:
Hotels with Destination Charging Many hotels now offer EV charging - often free for guests. Use PlugShare or the hotel's website to confirm before booking. Arriving with 20% and leaving with 100% means you can explore locally without range concerns.
Camping / Car Camping Tesla's Camp Mode makes sleeping in the car viable. See our Camp Mode guide for details. Mix hotel nights with camping nights for budget flexibility.
Airbnbs with Charging Filter for properties with EV charging. Rural Airbnbs with charging access let you explore areas far from Superchargers.
"Our Norway trip changed how we think about driving holidays. The forced stops weren't limitations - they became the best parts. We discovered a bakery in a tiny fjord town, watched whales from a Supercharger parking lot, and never once felt rushed."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overplanning charging stops Tesla nav handles this. Don't stress about memorizing every Supercharger location. Just keep an eye on your estimated arrival charge and let the car guide you.
Ignoring weather impacts Cold weather reduces range 15-30%. Mountain driving uses more energy than flat roads. Build buffer into winter or alpine trips.
Skipping the frunk The frunk is invaluable on road trips. Snacks, frequently needed items, camera gear - keep it accessible. Don't bury it under luggage in the back.
Trying to do too much The joy of a road trip is the journey. Cramming in every possible sight makes it exhausting. Pick a few highlights per day and let serendipity fill the gaps.
Document Your Trip
Tesla's built-in dashcam captures your drive, but consider a separate camera for the stops. A quick phone photo at each charging stop creates a surprisingly good trip log - you'll remember meals, views, and encounters you'd otherwise forget.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you leave:
- Service any outstanding maintenance
- Check tire condition and pressure
- Update to latest software (at home, not mid-trip)
- Download offline maps for your route
- Pre-condition battery if leaving early
- Pack charging adapters and cards
- Save emergency numbers (Tesla roadside, insurance)
- Share your rough route with someone at home
Then relax. Modern EVs and Europe's charging network make long-distance travel genuinely straightforward. The adventure is in the unexpected moments, not in worrying about range.
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