Electric Vehicle Road Trip: Bay Area to Eugene

When you buy your first electric car, there are a few technical changes to get used to. You can charge them at home or work rather than going to a gas station, of course, and they don’t need much in terms of ongoing maintenance beyond tire rotations and following best practices for battery health. And then there’s this: Even the most capacious EV battery can’t provide as much driving range from full to empty as the average gas car. That final point can change the entire concept of road trips.

That’s what my wife and I found six years ago, when we first began driving frequently back and forth between the Bay Area (where we live) and Eugene, Oregon (where our kids go to college). While the number of public EV chargers has more than doubled in the last four years, there are still far fewer EV chargers in the U.S. than there are gas stations, which means a long drive requires a little more planning.

But you’ll likely find that the planning pays off in other ways. While we used to stop somewhat randomly with our gas car, in an EV we began to plan our trips around stopping every couple of hours for a quick charge—and switching drivers to keep ourselves fresh—at spots we knew to have great food or pleasant scenery. Here are a few stops along I-5 between the Bay Area and Eugene that add a little more personality and atmosphere, and make getting there at least half the fun. 

Know Before You Go 

• Download the apps A Better Routeplanner, which recommends charging stops based on your car and preferences, and PlugShare, which has a huge database of available charging stations that can be filtered by your preference. 
• Tesla has the largest charging network in the U.S., and recently opened it up to non-Teslas. Most non-Tesla EVs use a CCS port to charge, so you’ll probably need a CCS to NACS adapter (which run about $100 and up), as well as the Tesla app to find Superchargers. Tesla’s NACS plug will soon replace CCS as the plug standard for all of the U.S., so an adapter is worth the investment.

Williams, California

Fifty miles north of Davis is the small town of Williams. A couple of blocks off of I-5 and across the railroad tracks, just before the arch over E Street welcomes you to town, make a right turn on Sixth Street to find two EVgo CCS chargers and 12 Tesla chargers (open to non-Teslas with NACS adapters). This is the home of the Granzella's empire, which features an inn, gift shop, and bar/restaurant.

The whole thing has a Wild West vibe, from the sports bar saloon to the large gift shop full of country knick-knacks. (Go ahead, pick up some root beer barrels and a tin “Wishin' I Was Fishin'” sign.) But the deli counter across from the large gift shop is the real attraction: It has a huge assortments of meats, cheeses, veggies, and bread, and they'll make basically any sandwich you can imagine. The ingredients are good and the portions are generous—try the smoked turkey or pastrami on Dutch Crunch. It’s definitely worth trying to plan your travel timetable so you’re rolling through Williams at mealtime. (Or go ahead and pick up some grub a little early if it's not quite lunchtime yet.)

Mount Shasta, California

As you escape the heat of the valley and drive toward the majestic volcano that is Mount Shasta, you'll pass through Dunsmuir and end up at the small town that bears the name of the mountain. Exit at Lake Street, turn right, then take another right on Morgan Way. To your left you'll find a strip mall with 16 Tesla-only chargers and three CCS chargers, as well as a grocery store, Mexican restaurant, and Black Bear Diner.

For the best vibes, turn right instead and park in the lot of the Best Western Plus Tree House hotel. Especially at night, the Tree House lot feels magical—you've just ascended from the valley and goggled at the sight of Shasta, and all of a sudden you're surrounded by trees and really feel like you've left the bustle of California behind. There are four Tesla-only and six CCS1 chargers for Rivian owners here, as well as an on-site restaurant and easily accessible bathrooms inside the hotel. Plug in and stare up at the trees and the stars, or—if it's a summer day—note how much cooler it is up here than it was down in Redding. Ray’s Food Place, located across the street from the Tree House near the other bank of chargers, is a great place to pick up a cold soda or a snack. On your way out of town, enjoy the colorful rigs of the Rainbow Truck Village.

Ashland, Oregon

Over the summit and just across the Oregon border you'll find Ashland, home of Southern Oregon University and the justifiably famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. If you have the time, Ashland is arguably the best place to stay overnight between the Bay Area and Eugene or Portland. Even if you're not planning on staying, consider making a stop to walk around the adorable downtown. Ignore the signs that encourage you to drink the town’s “medicinal” Lithia water (yuck!), but do consider going to a show.

Unfortunately, most of the charging in the Shakespearean portion of Ashland is of the slow variety. If you're planning on staying, see if your hotel offers an overnight EV charger. That way you’ll be fully charged and fresh in the morning. Otherwise, just across I-5 you'll find a massive 24-stall Tesla Supercharger (open to all EVs with CCS adapter). If you've got a willing designated driver, stop into the Growler Guys, a beer garden with a spectacular microbrew selection.  

Alternatively, consider charging just up the road in Medford. What that city lacks in theatrical charms, it makes up for in terms of convenience: There are numerous EV charging locations right off of I-5 at Crater Lake Highway. On the west side of the freeway there's a 12-stall Tesla charger (adapter required for non-Teslas) in a Target parking lot that's also adjacent to an In-N-Out, and on the east side there's a six-stall Electrify America CCS.

Canyonville, Oregon

Leaving Ashland and Medford, an optimistic Californian might convince themselves that Eugene is just around the corner. But Oregon's a big state, and there are still 170 miles of travel through the mountains, over the Rogue River near Grants Pass, and in the long, slow slope down into the southern reaches of the Willamette Valley. 

Your best bet for this portion of the journey, even if you’re not the gambling type, is in Canyonville, home of the Seven Feathers Casino Resort. On the west side is the Seven Feathers Truck & Travel Center, and it's a traveler's delight. There's a huge gas station, of course, and until a couple of years ago it was one of the few places in Oregon where you could pump your own gas. Seven Feathers recently added six fast chargers in the back of its parking lot that support both NACS and CSS.

But the main attraction here is the store itself, which is enormous. It's got snacks, a full-service deli, and items of use to all motorists (Out of wiper fluid? They've got it!). There’s also a coffee bar, hot food, and my favorite: a walk-in beer fridge with excellent microbrew selections, including many you won’t find back in California. (Bring a cool pack to take some to your destination, and enjoy the sales tax-free bargains.)

Eugene and Springfield, Oregon

It’s not very convenient to find fast charging in Eugene, but a new 12-stall Tesla charger (open to all EVs, adapter required) just opened on Oakmont Way, north of Autzen Stadium and closer to all the action. Nearby is the Sunriver Brewing Co. pub, a great spot for wraps, plus a Trader Joe’s. Eugene’s sister city across I-5, Springfield, offers a 14-stall Tesla-only charger closer to the freeway and right next to the Hop Valley microbrewery. Try the pineapple IPA if you get a chance.

Even if Eugene’s not your final destination, check out Hey Neighbor! for pizza, Oakshire Brewing for food trucks and beer, and Morning Glory Café for breakfast or brunch. If you’re looking for natural beauty, park near Autzen Stadium and walk through the trees and across the Willamette River, stop to smell the flowers in Hendricks Park, or hike up Spencer Butte to take in a view of the city from its 2000-plus-foot summit—and celebrate your well-planned road trip.