Driving Route 66 in an electric vehicle (EV) is easier than ever — especially with roadtrip planning tools and expanded infrastructure. In 2026, as Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, many towns and cities along the Mother Road have EV charging stations ready to keep your trip smooth and stress-free.
This guide breaks down the best EV charging spots from Chicago to Santa Monica, including fast chargers and convenient stops near classic Route 66 attractions.
🔌 How EV Charging Works on Route 66
Route 66 travels about 2,400 miles across 8 states. EV charger locations vary — some are:
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Fast (DC Fast Charging) — best for quick top-ups (20–45 min)
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Level 2 Chargers — perfect while you eat or explore
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Hotel or destination chargers — charge while you sleep
Best 2026 strategy:
✔ Plan your route with charger apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, and EVgo
✔ Know the distance between chargers (some rural stretches are long)
✔ Combine charging stops with diner, museum, or photo breaks
📍 Illinois — Chicago to St. Louis
Chicago, IL
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Multiple fast chargers near the begin Route 66 sign
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Downtown EVgo & Tesla Superchargers
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Charge while exploring classic Route 66 museums and diners
Joliet, IL
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Fast chargers convenient to US-66 route
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Great first leg charging point
Springfield & Bloomington
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Multiple Level 2 and DC fast stations
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Fuel up before heading into Missouri
📍 Missouri — St. Louis to Joplin
St. Louis, MO
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Plenty of DC fast charge options
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Charge near Route 66 attractions like Gateway Arch
Cuba, MO
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Level 2 chargers near the historic Route 66 murals
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Perfect pit stops for photos and coffee
Springfield & Joplin
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Several fast charging stations
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Ideal gateways to Route 66 car shows and diners
📍 Oklahoma — Tulsa & Oklahoma City
Oklahoma has some of the best Route 66 EV infrastructure:
Tulsa, OK
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DC Fast chargers near downtown and 11th Street Route 66 stretches
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Charge while visiting Neon Sign Park or car show events
Oklahoma City, OK
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Chargers at major retail centers & downtown plazas
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Great stop before hitting rural Texas roads
Clinton & Weatherford
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Level 2 chargers at community hubs
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Good for exploring Route 66 museums and local car shows
📍 Texas — Amarillo & Panhandle
Amarillo, TX
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Several fast charging stations near the city
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Popular stops for Cadillac Ranch and cafe breaks
Route 66 towns in the panhandle
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Fast/Level 2 charging available at local hubs and hotels
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Best to book lodging with charging (2026 centennial season gets busy)
📍 New Mexico — Tucumcari & Albuquerque
Tucumcari, NM
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EV chargers near historic motels & diners
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Charge while seeing Route 66 neon signs
Santa Rosa & Albuquerque
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Multiple fast chargers in Albuquerque
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Good main recharge point before Arizona
📍 Arizona — Winslow, Flagstaff & Kingman
Winslow, AZ
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Chargers downtown close to Route 66 murals
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Great start for Arizona drive
Flagstaff, AZ
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Strong EV infrastructure (fast chargers & hotel charging)
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Perfect base for the Petrified Forest and scenic drives
Kingman, AZ
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Fast chargers near classic motels and diners
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Charge before entering California desert stretches
📍 California — Barstow to Santa Monica
Barstow, CA
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DC fast chargers available near Route 66 café and rest stops
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Ideal last desert charge before LA
San Bernardino & Riverside
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Multiple EV charging stations
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Charge while checking out historic Route 66 plaques
Santa Monica, CA
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Chargers near the Route 66 End sign
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Complete your 2,400-mile trip with a full battery!
📍 Helpful Tools for 2026 Route 66 EV Drivers
Use these to plan smarter:
🔋 PlugShare — community-rated charging station map
🔋 A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) — ideal for long road trips
🔋 EVgo & ChargePoint apps — find availability in real time
🔋 Google Maps EV layer — shows charging points as you go
🧠 Planning Tips for EV Travel on Route 66
✔ Study charger gaps — rural areas (especially west Texas/New Mexico) may be sparse
✔ Book hotels with chargers — charging overnight is convenient
✔ Check weather — heat and cold can affect range
✔ Carry adapters — not all chargers are universal
✔ Combine charges with breaks — eat, explore, and charge at historic stops
🧳 Bonus: Charging + Classic Stops
Here’s how to combine fueling & fun:
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Charge in Tulsa → see neon signs and Route 66 museums
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Charge in Amarillo → explore Cadillac Ranch
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Charge in Albuquerque → eat at 66 diners
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Charge in Flagstaff → hike & road trip side trips
This makes your EV Route 66 trip efficient and memorable.
🚗 Final Thoughts
Driving Route 66 in an electric vehicle in 2026 is totally possible, fun, and full of classic road-trip magic. With careful planning and tools in hand, your adventure from Chicago to Santa Monica will be as smooth as it is historic.
Whether you’re stopping at neon signs, classic diners, or centennial car shows, your EV can take you all the way.
