The No. 1 state for EV road trips may surprise you — it’s not even close to Texas

Tiny state tops all 50 for EV travel

Delaware just landed the top spot on a ranking of the best states for electric vehicle road trips.

EV accessory maker Signal + Power scored all 50 states based on charging access, costs, road mileage, tourist attractions, and hotel prices. Travel + Leisure highlighted the results in March 2026.

The pick raised eyebrows, since Delaware rarely shows up on anyone’s must-drive list. But for EV drivers, the numbers tell a different story.

Five factors decided the ranking

Signal + Power looked at charging station availability, charging costs, road mileage, tourist attractions, and average hotel prices. Delaware came out on top thanks to a dense charging network and relatively low costs.

The company reported about 12 charging points per 100 miles of road and an average charging cost of about 33 cents per kilowatt-hour.

That said, DC fast charging, the kind most road trippers actually use, tends to cost more nationwide.

Delaware’s size works in its favor

Delaware stretches under 100 miles from end to end, so most modern EVs can cover much of the state on a single charge. That compact size takes the edge off range anxiety, one of the biggest worries EV drivers face.

It also naturally inflates the state’s per-mile charging numbers compared to bigger states with more open roads. Delaware sits along the I-95 corridor too, making it easy to fold into a longer East Coast drive.

Other studies back up the charging numbers

Delaware’s charging edge isn’t just one company’s take.

The HERE-SBD EV Index, a separate study by mapping firm HERE Technologies, ranked Delaware first in charger access among all 50 states for two straight years.

That index measures how far drivers travel to reach a charger, charging speed, EV fleet share, and the odds of finding an open plug. As of October 2025, the state had about 250 public charging stations.

Delaware also offers EV purchase rebates of up to $2,500 through its Clean Transportation Incentive Program.

California landed right behind at No. 2

California came in second with about 28 charging points per 100 miles of road.

Routes like Highway 1 stand out, where Signal + Power noted charging stations are built into shopping centers, restaurants, and scenic overlooks.

The state has long led the country in EV adoption, with more than 2.4 million cumulative EV registrations. For drivers who want big scenery with their charging stops, California is hard to beat.

Small states dominated the top 10

West Virginia grabbed third place, followed by Rhode Island at fourth and New Jersey at fifth. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Ohio rounded out the top 10.

Most of these states benefit from shorter distances between towns and relatively dense charging networks. West Virginia’s ranking stands out, since other studies have ranked it much lower for overall EV ownership.

Southern states struggled the most

Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi ranked among the worst for EV road trip infrastructure. These states have fewer charging stations per mile of road and lower rates of EV adoption.

Rural areas with long stretches between towns make planning charging stops tougher. Charging infrastructure is growing across the country, though, as new stations go up along major highways.

A different study ranked Delaware dead last

Not every ranking loves Delaware. A WalletHub study from January 2026 ranked it last among all 50 states for summer road trips overall.

That analysis pointed to limited route variety, fewer attractions, and lower safety scores. The contrast shows just how much ranking methods matter.

Different criteria can produce wildly different results, so drivers should weigh more than one source when planning a trip.

Federal EV incentives disappeared in late 2025

The EV landscape has shifted since the federal government eliminated the $7,500 new vehicle tax credit on Sept. 30, 2025.

EV market share is expected to drop from about 7.5% in 2025 to roughly 6% in 2026, and several major automakers have pulled back their EV plans.

State-level programs like Delaware’s rebate have grown more important now that federal support has ended.

Experts say EV trips need a different mindset

Planning an EV road trip takes a different approach than filling up at a gas station. Signal + Power’s Jae Roe recommends ditching the “drive until empty” habit and building in enjoyable stops instead.

Experts suggest charging when the battery drops to 10% to 20% and stopping around 70% to 80% for faster charging times.

Cold weather, high speeds, and roof cargo can all cut into range, so building in a 15% to 20% buffer helps.

Charging infrastructure keeps getting better

EV road trips still need more planning than gas-powered ones, but the gap is closing. Small, dense states like Delaware offer an easier starting point for first-time EV road trippers.

Apps like PlugShare and A Better Route Planner help drivers map out charging stops ahead of time.

As battery ranges grow and more fast chargers go in across the country, long EV road trips are getting more practical every year.

Delaware’s ranking comes with a big asterisk

Delaware’s top spot says more about charging density and compact geography than about being a classic road trip destination.

The state does have appealing coastal towns like Rehoboth Beach and Lewes for travelers who make the stop. For EV drivers already on the I-95 corridor, it’s a low-stress detour with reliable charging.

Whether Delaware is truly the “best” depends on what matters most to you behind the wheel.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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