How to Plan RV Trips with EV Charging Logistics

EV RV travel is an emerging trend, but you’ll want to do some planning before hitting the road with an electric vehicle. Knowing where there is electric RV charging and how long it will take is key to planning a successful road trip with an electric vehicle.

This guide will help you confidently plan RV trips with charging in mind—covering range, charging types, campground compatibility, and practical tips to avoid being stranded.

The Future of RV Travel is Electric

The adoption of electric vehicles is increasing, both in the U.S. and around the world. And along with considering electric vehicles to replace their gas-powered cars or SUVs, people are looking into EV RV travel as well. It’s no wonder when you realize many of those electric pickups, vans, and SUVs use the same platforms that RV makers use for motorhomes and campervans.

Winnebago, Thor, and other top brands have already showcased electric prototypes, and they have plans to get these electric RVs on the market.

EV RV travel is a cleaner, quieter way to travel that relies less on gas stations. Electricity can also be cheaper per mile than gas, especially if you’re charging at a campground.

But you’ll need to plan ahead when it comes to charging your vehicle. Charging takes longer than gassing up your RV, so you’ll need to consider your vehicle charging logistics.

If you’ll be towing a trailer with an electric-powered vehicle, you’ll also need to think about when, where, and how often you’ll need to charge. Both towing a trailer and driving a motorhome reduce your mileage range significantly – sometimes by up to 30-50%. Planning for stops where you can charge your RV is critical.

It’s especially critical when you realize that the infrastructure isn’t quite there yet. Not every campground or area has charging stations, and you’ll need to check ahead of time to see about Level 2 or DC fast charging. Some RV parks do have 50-amp electric hookups that can support RV charging with the right adapters. Some parks are also starting to advertise RV-compatible sites. But those amenities aren’t universal, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get them where you stay unless you check ahead of time.

What Is EV-Capable RVing?

EV-capable RVing means combining electric vehicle ownership with an RV lifestyle. Instead of relying solely on a gas or diesel engine, you’ll use electric power. You’ll either use an RV tow vehicle to pull your trailer, or you’ll one day drive a fully electric motorhome. It’s a great option for eco-conscious RVers who may already be using solar panels and practicing other environmentally friendly habits.

So currently, RV-capable RVing applies to two main groups: EV tow owners and EV motorhome owners.

There are lots of benefits of EV-capable RVing. Here are a few of them:

• Sustainability – Electric vehicles have reduced tailpipe emissions and a smaller carbon footprint. They’re often paired with solar panels or renewable campground power as part of an environmentally-conscious lifestyle.
• Lower fuel costs – Electricity, especially campground hookups and at-home charging, can cost much less per mile than gas or diesel. Even DC fast-charging, which is more expensive than slow charging, is usually less.
• Innovation – Some EV systems allow a “vehicle-to-load” power, which means you can run your RV appliances directly from your tow vehicle’s battery.

Understanding EV Charging Basics

To plan for charging your EV, you’ll need to understand a few EV charging basics. There are various levels of charging, for starters. Charging times can also vary by vehicle and charger type. You’ll notice a difference between charging at home and when you’re on the road. Finally, you’ll notice that your EV range goes way down when you’re towing another vehicle.

Planning RV Trips with EV Charging in Mind

When you’re planning an RV trip with EV charging in mind, you’ll want to think about a few things. You’ll want to look at route planning apps and tools. Look for charging stations near campgrounds. Factor charging stops into your travel times and adjust your itinerary accordingly.

Also, consider whether you can charge while towing, think about how to manage your wait time at busy chargers, and know how to keep yourself safe on an electric vehicle trip.

Route Planning Apps and Tools

Consider some route planning apps and tools to help you on your EV RV road trip. PlugShare is a community-sourced map of charging stations. It has real-time user reviews, pictures, and information on parking and nearby things to do. A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) is an app that’s designed for EV trip planning. Enter your vehicle type, speed, and destination, and the app will predict where and when to stop and recharge.

Finding Charging Stations Near Campgrounds

Many campgrounds now list their “EV-friendly” hookups so you know before you book whether you can recharge there. KOA has also begun to add EV charging as an amenity at some campgrounds.

Planning Charging Stops

Here are a few things to consider as you plan where to stop and charge on your trip.

• Charger spacing: On major interstates and in high-traffic areas, there are often DC fast chargers spaced fairly regularly so you can find one easily. But there are long stretches where chargers may be sparse. Calculate your range conservatively, and stop before you get too desperate.
• Towing range: The average EV towing range is 30-50% less than the rated range. So a truck rated at 300 miles might only get 150-200 miles if it’s towing something. Be sure to adjust your stops.
• Multi-task: Plan to charge your vehicle while you eat or do some sightseeing, so you’re not sitting around waiting for charging to be done. Plan in some buffer time for slower charging or unexpected wait times as well. You might also want to adjust your total mileage for the day – you probably won’t get as far as you think when you need to plan in charging stops.
• Unhitching: Most chargers aren’t designed for vehicles with trailers. You may need to unhitch your trailer. Some sites are starting to roll out pull-through chargers, but it’s rare.
• Space: Look for chargers at large retail centers like Walmart, Target, and truck stops. You’ll likely have more room to maneuver than at a smaller charging station.
• Have a backup: Look up nearby alternate charging stations in case your first choice doesn’t work out for some reason. This is another reason you don’t want to wait until you’re at 0% power to recharge! You want a little extra in case of unforeseen events.

EV-Friendly RV Campgrounds

A growing number of campgrounds are now offering EV charging, and more continue to add it as a feature. At least 30 KOA campgrounds have EV charging at this point, and many state park campgrounds and private campgrounds have either added charging stations or have plans to do so. More than 140 chargers are also available at national parks, although not necessarily in the campgrounds.

Many campers also bring portable Level 2 chargers and use the 50-amp / 240-volt outlets at RV sites. This works for overnight charging if the campground allows it.

Here are some of the differences – both pros and cons – of using a dedicated EV charger vs. RV hookups.

Because “EV-friendly” can mean different things in different campgrounds, you may want to try some of these things to make sure you’re well-prepared.

• Check the campground website: Begin by looking at the campground website or listing. Look for amenities like EV charging, electric vehicle charging station, Level 2 charger, and so on. Also look at their photo galleries – sometimes you can see the charging stations so you know exactly what to expect.
• Call ahead: If you’re still unsure of what the campground offers, call and talk to someone. Ask whether your campsite hookup or pedestal provides enough power for your EV or portable charger if that’s what you’ll be using. See if the pedestal is rated for continuous draw. Some campgrounds won’t let you do this in case it overloads the circuit. Ask for specifics – the kind of outlet it is, the voltage and maximum amperage, and whether there’s a Level 2 EV charger.
• Bring necessary gear: Bring a portable EVSE (Level 2 charger) that can plug into the outlet types available to you. Bring adapters and cables. Consider bringing voltage and amperage testers as well.
• Read others’ reviews: Look on apps like PlugShare and ChargeHub and check out camper and EV-EVer forums to see what others say about camping in the area you’ll be in.
• Ask about extra fees: See if there’s an extra charge for EV charging, high amperage, or continuous loads. Also, see if there are any restrictions on when you can charge and for how long.
• Have a backup: Know where the closest public chargers are in case you can’t use the campground one for some reason. Also, make sure you have some battery power when you arrive, just in case.

Seasonal and Regional Considerations

Weather – both hot and cold – can impact the range of an electric vehicle. In very cold weather, the battery chemistry slows down and you’ll have fewer usable miles before you need to recharge. Heating your car also puts an extra drain on the battery. Charging can take longer because the battery needs to warm up, and it may accept less current.

In hot weather, using the air conditioner also draws extra power. Extreme heat can reduce battery efficiency, although it’s less dramatic than extreme cold. It can help to park in the shade and to schedule charging for the cooler parts of the day.

You’ll also want to consider the region where you’re traveling when you plan charging stops. You’ll find many Level 2 and DC fast chargers in urban and well-populated areas. A lot of these chargers are clustered around highways, shopping centers, and other high-traffic areas. In fact, roughly six in ten Americans now live within 2 miles of a public charger. However, rural areas have fewer chargers, and you may have to travel farther to find one. Many rural areas don’t have fast chargers, which make road trips much more convenient in an electric vehicle.

Popular EV-Friendly Road Trips in the U.S.

West Coast

California, Oregon, and Washington have both amazing road trips, and lots of chargers along interstates and coastal highways. Many state parks and towns in these states have EV charging. The Pacific Coast Highway has some fast-charge hubs where you can charge. Also, many campgrounds and hotels offer EV charging. Yosemite National Park has many public charging stations throughout the park, and Death Valley has several as well.

Rocky Mountains

Mountains are more challenging places for electric vehicles, thanks to the elevation, snowy and cold conditions, and remote areas. But there is increasing infrastructure, especially around national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier. You will need to plan carefully if you want to road trip through this area in the winter, but the mountains are equally stunning in the summer.

Northeast

Much of the Northeast is densely populated, with shorter distances between towns and higher charger availability. Many state parks and forests are also near highways, where you’ll find charging stations, and there are lots of options for lodging and dining with charging nearby. Cold weather can be a challenge, and you may lose power more quickly. However, distances are shorter between towns and charging stations.

South

The drive from Miami, through Key Largo, and down to Key West is one of the better EV road trips in Southern states. You’ll find lots of fast chargers along the way, and many of the lodging and resort options offer charging. Florida has among the largest numbers of public chargers in the country.

National Parks & Gateway Towns

As we mentioned above, many national parks are adding EV charging stations and infrastructure. If you don’t find a charging station inside the park, many of the larger gateway towns just outside the park may have some.

Technology & Future of Electric RV Travel

There are no fully mass-produced, all-electric motorhomes on the market as of mid-2025. A few prototypes, like the Winnebago eRV2, are on the road in pilot programs but aren’t widely available yet. But here are two electric RVs on the horizon:

• Winnebago eRV2: An all-electric Class B campervan. The production model is positioned for zero-tailpipe-emission RVing. This Winnebago will be capable of multiple days off-grid, relying on the house batteries.
• THOR Vision Vehicle: This is in the conceptual stage and would involve a battery-electric platform paired with a fuel cell range-extender and solar integration. The goal is an RV that could manage long off-grid stays.

Currently, if you want EV RV travel, you’ll need to drive an EV truck or vehicle and tow a trailer. The Rivian R1T is a popular EV tow vehicle among early adopters. The Tesla Cybertruck is another electric vehicle popular for towing trailers. Tesla Superchargers are also opening to other electric vehicles, expanding options for electric vehicle drivers.

At the same time, government programs aim to encourage chargers at 50-mile intervals or shorter to prevent “charging deserts” across the U.S. More electric vehicle charges will likely be added over the coming years.

In the next 5-10 years, we’ll likely see more EV-ready trailers with power-assist tech to help vehicles not lose towing mileage. We may also see more fast-charging stations that aren’t just concentrated on the coasts. Reliability standards and other metrics should also improve as systems become more common.

Tips for Confident EV + RV Road Trips

If you’re planning EV RV travel, make sure to follow these tips for a smooth road trip!

• Always start with a full charge: Make sure your vehicle is fully charged before you head out on your trip.
• Bring cables and adapters: Pack adapters and charging cables that are compatible with multiple networks to increase your charging options.
• Book EV-friendly campgrounds: Check that your campground has EV amenities and find out exactly what they have to offer.
• Schedule extra time: Build extra time in your daily itinerary for charging. Also, plan extra time to wait for a station or for other delays.
• Stop before you’re empty: Be conservative with your mileage and stop well before you’re at a low charge. You may not find a station where you thought you would, or you may have to head to a second station if there’s a problem.
• Use apps: Use apps to monitor charger availability in real-time so you know if you can roll right up, or if you’ll have to wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most common questions about EV RV travel.

Can I use an RV’s electrical hookup to charge my EV?

Yes, you can use an RV’s electrical hookup to charge your EV. Many RV parks and campgrounds use 30-amp or 50-amp electrical hookups. They use NEMA TT-30 (30-amp, 120-volt) or NEMA 14-50 (50-amp, 240-volt) outlets and both can supply power to an electric vehicle if you have the right adapter and charger. For a NEMA 14-50 (50-amp hookup), it’s the same type of outlet many people install at home for EV charging. With a portable Level 2 EVSE (charger), you can usually charge at 25–35 miles of range per hour, depending on your vehicle. For a NEMA TT-30 (30-amp hookup), you’ll be charging with 120 volts, not 240. With the correct adapter and EVSE, it will charge much more slowly, and you’ll want to charge overnight for meaningful range, closer to Level 1 speeds (~3–5 miles of range per hour).

Make sure you have the proper, safe adapter for the charging you need to do. Follow campground rules, and make sure the campground doesn’t prohibit EV charging. It can draw a lot of power, so not every campground allows this.

Also, don’t run your RV’s air conditioner, microwave, and charge your electric vehicle all at the same time on the same hookup – you can trip the breakers.

How long does it take to charge an EV at a campground?

How long it takes to charge an EV at a campground will depend on the type of RV hookups. 50-amp hookups are basically the same as a Level 2 home charger. You should get about 25–35 miles of range per hour of charging, so a typical EV with a 250-300-mile battery could go from empty to full in 8-12 hours. You’ll want to plan on charging overnight.

30-amp hookups are 120 volts, so this acts like a strong Level 1 charger. It adds just 3-5 miles of range per hour. A full charge can take 2-3 days, depending on your battery size. This works if you plan to be parked for a few days, without traveling.

A standard household outlet adds 2-4 miles of range per hour and a full charge can take 3-4 days for a long-range EV.

Which EVs are best for towing an RV?

The EVs that are best for towing an RV will have high towing capacity, strong power and torque, good chassis cooling, and a big usable range. Here are some options:

Is EV RVing more expensive than gas RVing?

There are a few factors to consider to determine whether EV RVing is more expensive than gas RVing.

• Fuel: Electricity is usually cheaper than gas, so the cost of fuel is usually lower for an electric vehicle. However, towing cuts your EV range by 30-50%, so you’ll need to stop more often and spend more time at (more expensive) fast chargers. So the total cost to fuel your rig may be a wash.
• Maintenance: Gas RVs need oil changes and transmission servicing. They have exhaust systems, belts, hoses, and other mechanisms and parts that need to be checked and replaced. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts. Maintenance is mostly tires, brakes, and cooling systems, so over the years EVs tend to be cheaper to maintain.
• Upfront Cost: Electric tow vehicles tend to cost more than their gas counterparts – sometimes $10-20k more. Federal and state tax credits can sometimes lower the total payment on EVs, however.
• Campground & Charging Costs: Many campgrounds charge a flat rate for hookups. If you can charge at your site’s 50-amp outlet, that’s much cheaper than using gas. However, some campgrounds now add a surcharge for EV charging since it can double your electricity use.
• Hidden Costs and Trade-offs: You’ll need to plan carefully to make sure you don’t exceed your range. Charging takes much longer than gassing up a vehicle, so you’ll need to plan around that as well.

Can you tow an RV with an electric vehicle?

Yes, you can tow an RV with an electric vehicle. Several good options are mentioned in the table above. Remember that the range you get while towing a trailer will be lower than when you drive the vehicle unencumbered.

How do I plan an EV-friendly RV road trip?

Planning an EV-friendly RV road trip is easy when you remember a few things. Keep your trailer within 70-80% of your EV’s rated tow capacity to preserve the range and reduce stress on your drivetrain. Plan out your charging stops ahead of time using EV-friendly route planning apps. Also, remember that very cold or very hot weather can affect your range and be ready to charge earlier if necessary.

Look for DC fast chargers (Level 3) along the highway to keep charging time down. Keep in mind that many of these charging sites aren’t meant for trailers, and be ready to unhitch and drive your vehicle in. Book campsites with 50-amp hookups where you can charge overnight and confirm that the campground allows EV charging.

Finally, have a backup plan for each stop, in case you can’t charge where you thought you could.

Are there EV charging stations at RV campgrounds?

There are EV charging stations at some RV campgrounds. Many campgrounds are beginning to add dedicated EV chargers for campers to use. If the campground where you’re staying does not have a dedicated EV charger, you might be able to use 50-amp hookups to charge. You’ll need an adapter, and make sure you check with the campground first. Some allow this practice and some don’t.

If you’re at a site with 30-amp hookups, you can charge at a rate of 3-5 miles of range per hour. You’ll need to stay parked for several days to completely charge your vehicle. Just as with 50-amp hookups, you’ll need an adapter, and you’ll need to check with the campground to make sure this is allowed.

Can you charge an EV while it’s towing an RV?

In some places, you can charge an EV while it’s towing an RV. However, many charging stations are not set up to pull through while towing a trailer. Check out charging stations ahead of time using an EV-friendly app to see if it allows pull-through towing. But for the most part, you’ll want to be prepared to unhitch your trailer from your vehicle to charge.

How much does it cost to charge an EV on a road trip?

The cost to charge an EV on a road trip will factor in the station’s price per kWh, your EV’s efficiency, and any extra fees. You can check apps for popular charging companies, or EV-friendly apps to see what the current pricing is. Electric vehicles typically get the following:

• Sedan: 26-30 kWh/100 mi
• Small/mid SUV: 30-36 kWh/100 mi
• Pickup: 40-55 kWh/100 mi
• Towing a camper/boat: can jump to 65-90+kWh/100 mi (varies a lot)

Fast charging prices can vary. Electrify America offers a Pass+ membership that advertises about 25% off standard rates. Tesla Superchargers have varying prices, and congestion fees apply when stations are busy. Those fees are waived if you move within 5 minutes. EVgo has varying fees, which often include a $0.99 session fee. If you have a membership, you may get a discounted rate and not have to pay the session fee.

Fees to watch for: As mentioned above, some charging stations add per-minute fees if the site is busy or if you don’t move after charging. Also, check for session fees and be ready for prices to be more expensive in some areas of the country than others.

How can I avoid running out of charge while towing an RV?

The biggest way to avoid running out of charge while towing an RV is to be conservative with your charging estimates. Cut your expected range in half when you’re towing an RV or trailer. In other words, your truck that’s rated for 300 miles may only get 120-160 miles when you’re towing. Choose the smaller number, and plan to recharge before that. The A Better Routeplanner app lets you put in a trailer weight and drag, and gives you an estimate of when to stop.

You can extend your range by being mindful of your energy while driving. Drive at a slower, steady speed. If your tow vehicle has a tow or haul mode, use it. Make sure your trailer is well-aligned, and minimize any extra drag from items like roof racks.

Plan to keep at least 20% of your battery in reserve so you’re not coasting into a charger with nothing left. You’ll also want to plan some backup charging options in case there’s traffic, an offline charging station, or another unexpected twist.

EV RV travel is a still-emerging category of RVing, and it’s exciting to see what’s on the horizon! In the meantime, check out our other tips for general RV road trip planning and see our options for RVs at RVshare.