Did you know that you can road trip BC’s Gold Rush Trail entirely with an Electric Vehicle (EV)? That’s right, gone are the days when EVs were limited to commuting within the city! With EV ranges constantly increasing and more and more charging stations popping up around the province, road-tripping in an EV is a financially advantageous, environmentally friendly, and stress-free way to explore this historic and scenic route.
Before jumping into the route itinerary, let’s go over some tips and important considerations when it comes to road tripping in an EV:
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with your car’s public charging requirements before departing. If you need to brush up on charging information, visit Chargehub’s Electric Vehicle Charging Guide.
- Use PlugShare to view public chargers. You can sort chargers by speed, connector type and cost to zero in on the best stations for you and your vehicle.
- PlugShare also has a trip-planning feature that allows you to find charge points along a given route. Just enter your origin and destination and the app will show you all the chargers along the way. You can even input your vehicle’s range to plan your route around your charging stops.
- Be conservative in planning charging stops. Remember that air conditioning, hills, and cold weather can affect your range.
- Plan charging stops around activities, overnight accommodations, or meal breaks. Don’t forget that RV parks/campsites are excellent sources of overnight electricity.
- Know and follow good charging etiquette. EV charging has great social opportunities to chat and compare EV experiences!
- Embrace the freedom from internal combustion. Enjoy the EV pace and low cost of travel. You never know what charming places you might stumble upon that you might have otherwise missed.
ITINERARY: Highway 1, 12, 99, and 97 via Hope, Lillooet, and Quesnel
Total Distance: 510 km/317 mi (can be shorter depending on chosen destination)
Recommended time: 3 to 12 days
Highlights: Othello Tunnels (temporarily closed due to 2021 floods), Hell’s Gate Airtram, Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village, Kumsheen Rafting Resort, Xwisten Experience Tours, Seton Lake Lookout, Blue Lake Resort, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Pavilion Lake, Historic Hat Creek Ranch, Sugar Shack, Green Lake Provincial Park, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, farmers’ markets, mountain biking in Williams Lake, Xatsull Heritage Village, plus more!
Please note that you may be able to bypass certain stops depending on your range and preferences.
Learn more and download the PDF version of this itinerary below:
Charge Stop 1 – Hope
Charging:
Hope Klassen Rd Supercharger – (Teslas only) 12 Tesla (Fast) stations
Hope Supercharger – (Teslas only) 10 Tesla (Fast) stations
Hope District Hall – 1 J-1772 station
District of Hope – 1 CHAdeMO station & 4 CCS/SAE stations
Hope – 4th Ave Parking/Charging – 2 CHAdeMO stations & 2 CCS/SAE stations
Hope & Area Recreation Centre – 2 J-1772 stations
Ministry of Transportation – 2 J-1772 stations
1046 4 Ave Parking Lot – 1 J-1772 station
Fraser Canyon Hospital – 1 J-1772 station
Petro Canada – 2 CHAdeMO stations & 2 CCS/SAE stations
Things to Do:
- Grab a coffee and stroll through town to view the impressive 80+ chainsaw carvings that are the reason why Hope is referred to as the Chainsaw Capital.
- Find liquid gold at one of the many breweries and wineries within the Fraser Valley and Hope itself.
- Visit Kilby Historic Site
- Take a walk at the Othello Tunnels (temporarily closed due to 2021 floods)
- Discover the many farmers’ markets and other agritourism experiences within the Fraser Valley
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
The Rockwell Harrison Guest Lodge B&B
Charge Stop 2 – 65 km/40 mi – Boston Bar
Charging:
Boston Bar Canyon Lanes (1 J-1772 station, 1 CCS/SAE station, & 1 CHAdeMO station)
Things to Do:
- On your way to this charging station, you can’t miss Hell’s Gate Airtram, one of the steepest fully suspended trams in North America. Learn more about the activities at Hell’s Gate here.
- Another must-visit before charging here is Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village, an authentic and enriching Nlaka’pamux (ing-khla-kap-muh) Indigenous experience. You can learn more here or by visiting our Indigenous Experiences page.
- After charging, visit nearby REO Rafting, Glamping & Yoga Resort. Learn more about white water rafting & yoga resorts nearby. (Note: REO Rafting, Glamping & Yoga Resort was impacted by the Nahatlatch Valley wildfire in 2023. Please visit the REO Rafting Glamping & Yoga Resort website for current operation updates)
Places to Stay:
REO Rafting, Glamping & Yoga Resort
Charge Stop 3 – 18km/11 mi – Blue Lake Resort
Charging:
Blue Lake Resort Charging Station (1 J-1772 station)
Situated on its own private lake, and complete with a cozy lodge, scenic campgrounds, and rustic or lakefront cabins, Blue Lake Resort is the ideal place to spend the night while you charge. Learn more about 19 epic glamping and camping resorts you need to visit in BC story.
Charge Stop 4 – 35km/22 mi – Kumsheen Rafting Resort
Charging:
Kumsheen Rafting Resort (3 Tesla stations)
Add some adventure to your road trip and visit Kumsheen Rafting Resort. Stay overnight in one of their unique glamping tents or teepees and take in the spectacular scenery and epic white water of the Thompson River. Kumsheen is also home to the fabulous Cutting Board restaurant. Learn more by reading about white water rafting & yoga resorts and 19 epic glamping and camping resorts you need to visit in BC.
Charge Stop 5 – 69km/43 mi – Lillooet
Charging:
Lillooet Old Mill Plaza – 2 CCS/SAE stations & 2 CHAdeMO stations
Retasket Lodge & RV Park 1 J-1772 station
Things to Do:
- Grab some tasty road trip treats at Abundance Artisan Bakery.
- A trip to Lillooet is not complete without a stop at the award-winning Fort Berens Estate Winery.
- Take in the local St’át’imc (stat-lee-m) Indigenous culture with a tour at Xwisten Experience Tours or roam the boardwalks and buy locally made botanical products at Splitrock Environmental.
- Stop at the viewpoint overlooking the picturesque emerald-green waters of Seton Lake Reservoir and the surrounding Chilcotin Range.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
Retasket Lodge & RV Park (charging available)
| Detour – 59km/37 mi – Redhill Rest Area Charging Station – J-1772 stations, 2 CHAdeMO stations, & 2 CCS/SAE stations For those wanting a faster route that bypasses Lillooet, head Northeast after Kumsheen Rafting Resort and Lytton. This route follows Highway 1 and travels through Spences Bridge and Ashcroft connecting back up to Cache Creek. You can learn more about this leg of the route here. |
Charge Stop 6 – 89km/55 mi – Cache Creek
Charging:
Cache Creek Visitor Information Centre – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Sage Hills Motel – 1 J-1772 station & 1 Tesla station
Things to Do:
- Learn about local Secwépemc (shi-huep-muh-k) culture and history and experience how gold prospectors and pioneers lived back in the 1860s with a visit to nearby Historic Hat Creek Ranch.
- View the Thompson River at Juniper Beach Provincial Park set in a scenic desert landscape containing sagebrush, prickly pear cactus and juniper.
- Stock up on locally grown produce and local treats at Desert Hills Farm Market or Horsting’s Farmers Market.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
Sage Hills Motel (charging available)
Charge Stop 7 – 40km/25 mi – Clinton
Charging:
Village of Clinton Charging Station – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Things to Do:
- Witness this landscape’s unique geological variations at places like Chasm Provincial Park, Marble Range, Kelly Lake and Downing Provincial Park.
- Visit the Clinton Museum for visitor information as well as a glimpse into local history and Indigenous culture.
- Stop by The Junction Coffee House for the best coffee and treats around.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
Tutti Gravel Inn (must-stay for gravel riding enthusiasts)
| Detour – 66km/41 mi – Echo Valley Ranch & Spa Charging Station – 1 J-1772 station & 2 Tesla stations (guests only) For those interested in an authentic and luxury guest ranch experience, a detour to Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is a must. With an award-winning Thai-influenced spa, exceptional riding opportunities, horsemanship classes, adventure activities, and wellness experiences, Echo Valley is an immersive and invigorating escape. Plus, they have on-site charging stations available for guests! To learn more about Echo Valley and others check out 12 guest ranches with all the wide-open spaces you’re looking for this summer. |
Charge Stop 8 – 65km/40 mi from Echo Valley Ranch & Spa or 31km/19 mi from Clinton – 70 Mile House
Charging:
70 Mile House – Canada Post – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
The Sugar Shack! – 1 Tesla station (customers only)
Things to Do:
- Stop by the Sugar Shack for authentic poutine, smoked meat sandwich or to stock up on maple syrup for your journey ahead. You can even charge your Tesla while you eat!
- Make a slight detour (approx. 20km/12mi) off the Highway to visit Green Lake Provincial Park – one of the most popular destinations in the South Cariboo for water sports. Here, you’ll find a plethora of unique accommodation options.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
| Detour – 36km/22 mi – Meadow Lake Guest Ranch – 1 Tesla station & 1 wall plug (guests only) Nestled on 700+ acres of land, stay at Meadow Lake Guest Ranch for a refreshing getaway in nature. Enjoy fishing, swimming, trail riding, and relaxing in one of the private guest homes… all while you charge your Tesla. |
Charge Stop 9 – 41km/25 mi from 70 Mile House – 100 Mile House
Charging:
South Cariboo Visitor Centre Charging Station – 2 CHAdeMO stations & 2 CCS/SAE stations
Things to Do:
- While your EV charges, stop in at the South Cariboo Visitor Centre and see the world’s tallest pair of cross-country skis.
- Have a stroll and pick up something locally made at The South Cariboo Farmer’s Market.
- Foodies will love the South Cariboo Garlic Festival, held in late August.
- Following your charge, continue on and visit the 108 Mile Heritage Site and Lac La Hache.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
| Detour – approx. 36km/22 mi – Canim Lake One of the larger lakes in the Cariboo, and popular for fishing, paddling, swimming, picnicking and water skiing, a detour to Canim Lake is a great way to beat the heat. Whether you visit the recreation site or stay at one of the lake’s many spectacular resorts such as Canim Lake Resort, South Point Resort, Reynolds Resort, or Rainbow Resort, please note that there are no charging stations along this detour. |
Places to Stay:
Charge Stop 10 – 88km/55 mi – Williams Lake
Charging:
Super 8 by Wyndham Williams Lake – 1 J-1772 station
Williams Lake Supercharger – 8 Tesla (Fast) stations
Prosperity Ridge Shopping Centre – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Williams Lake City Hall – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
TRU Williams Lake Campus – 2 J-1772 stations
Things to Do:
- Take a walk around Scout Island, a nature sanctuary at the west end of the Williams Lake.
- Go mountain biking.
- Enjoy downtown’s quaint shops, retail stores and art galleries, some of which feature local art and First Nations gifts.
- If you’re visiting on a Friday or Tuesday, stop by the Williams Lake Farmers’ Market.
- Visit the magnificent log Tourism Discovery Centre with the Visitor Centre within, and the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, home to the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame.
- Learn more about these activities and others here.
Places to Stay:
Super 8 by Wyndham Williams Lake (charging available)
Charge Stop 11 – 82 km/51 mi – Australian Rest Area
Charging:
Australian Rest Area – 2 CCS/SAE stations, 2 CHAdeMO stations, and 1 J-1772 station
Things to Do:
- Before reaching this charging station, stop in at the renowned Soda Creek Sweet Corn, located at the historic Dunlevy Ranch, to u-pick corn and other veggies during the harvest season, which typically begins in mid-August.
- For an exceptional Indigenous experience, visit Xatśūll Heritage Village (hat-sooth) just 20 minutes north of Williams Lake.
- For mountain biking, the Xatśūll trail network now offers over 30km/18.6 mi of trails with stunning views of the heritage village and the Fraser River.
Charge Stop 12 – 36 km/22 mi – Quesnel
Charging:
350 Barlow Ave Building – 2 J-1772 stations
Billy Barker Hotel – 1 J-1772 station
Quesnel Extra Foods – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Quesnel SmartCentre – Mark’s – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Hixon Public Parking – 1 CHAdeMO station & 1 CCS/SAE station
Things to Do:
- History buffs should visit nearby Cottonwood House Historic Site, one of the last few remaining Cariboo gold rush era roadhouses.
- For those with enough range, travel the 79km/49 mi East to the adventure-meets-art town of Wells.
- Just 10 minutes from there, you’ll find the spectacular Barkerville Historic Town & Park.
Places to Stay:
Billy Barker Hotel (charging available)
Learn more and download the PDF version of this itinerary below: