One of the best ways to explore a destination is on the road. The good news for eco-conscious travellers is that more car hire companies are adding lower emissions options to their fleets, and Skyscanner has made searching for those options a lot easier with our new electric and hybrid car hire filters. We have listed some epic road trips to get you started planning an electric car adventure this summer.
1. Palma to Manacor, Distance – 33 miles (52.7km)
The Balearic island of Majorca isn’t huge, but it is ideal for a road trip holiday. With some bustling towns and scenic views along the way, this shorter trip is well worth it. Your best bet is to fly into Palma and then hire an electric car at the airport. Stock up on suntan lotion, get your shades on and let’s go.
- Palma to Magaluf (30 minutes) From Palma, head west on the Ma-20, then south on the Ma-1 after passing Genova, and take it until the left turn off at Camí Cala Figuera. Head south until you hear the throbbing dance basslines and you’re in Magaluf.
- Magaluf to Sóller (42 minutes) For a nice change of pace head north, back up the Ma-20. Drive past Palma until you hit the Ma-11 and keep going and eventually you’ll reach the old town of Sóller. If you plan to be there on a Saturday, you can check out the bustling town market, which is a haven of local goods and souvenirs.
- Sóller to Alcúdia (1 hour, 35 minutes) Now you’re heading into the mountains to the north-east town of Alcúdia. Take the Ma-10 north from Sóller and get ready for some twisty, turny roads as you pass Puig Major, which is the highest point in all of Majorca.
- Alcúdia to Manacor (1 hour) Just like Sóller, if you aim to be in Manacor on Monday, you’ll get to enjoy the busy local markets for more trinkets and souvenirs. To get there take the Ma-12 south, turn right before Can Picafort, and keep going south on the Ma-3410 and its joining roads until you reach Manacor. Manacor is the second-largest city on Majorca, and it’s steeped in rich history. Be sure to check out the 14th Century Torre de Ses Puntes tower, and the Església de Sant Vicenç Ferrer church, which opened its doors in 1617.
Start your trip here:
- Check flights to Palma
- Search EV & Hybrid car hire
- Looking to stretch your legs? If you want to make a more active stop and take in the views a day hike in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before winding down with dinner and locally made wines in Sóller.
2. Faro to Porto, Distance – 341 miles (549km)
This is a great road trip to try if you enjoy history and culture, or if you just want to see some of the most magnificent sea vistas and nature spots in all of Europe. Our journey begins by flying into Faro airport in Portugal. Get your EV rental car hired, buckle up and get ready to taste that glorious sea air.
- Faro to Beja (1 hour, 33 minutes) When you’re ready hop in your car and take the A22 road north-west, then turn right onto the E1. Keep going north and you’ll end up in the town of Beja. Said to have been established by Julius Caesar in 48 BCE, it’s worth checking out the castle and Roman villas for their architecture alone.
- Beja to Lisbon (2 hours) Next up is Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon, which you can get to by driving the IP8 road west from Beja, then by turning north onto the A2 until you reach the city of Almada. It’s well worth stopping here to see the Cristo Rei, a looming statue of Jesus that is only a bit smaller than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer.
- Lisbon to Peniche (1 hour, 16 minutes) Nestled on the Atlantic Ocean, the seaside city of Peniche can be reached by driving north on the A8 from Lisbon, then taking a left, going west along the IP6. Its main beach is a surfer’s paradise, and if you want to escape the city life you can explore the Ilhas Berlengas nature reserve.
- Peniche to Porto (2 hours, 30 minutes) Last but by no means least, we’re off to Porto. Take the A8 north from Peniche until it becomes the A17, and keep going as it turns into the A29 and you’ll reach Porto.
Start your trip here:
- Check flights to Faro
- Search EV & Hybrid car hire
- Interested in architecture? Cross the Tagus Estuary north into Lisbon, where you’ll find Gothic architecture in abundance. Top of the list is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Torre de Belém, a grand tower overlooking the harbour.
3. Istanbul to Izmir, Distance – 465 miles (749km)
Bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, Turkey is rich in culture and history as well as beautiful beaches. With ancient ruins to explore, bustling marketplaces to browse and a burgeoning art scene to discover, there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied. Pick up your hybrid rental at the airport in Istanbul and get ready for an epic adventure along the Aegean coastline.
- Istanbul to Bursa (2 hours) Get on the 0-1 to Bursa, a larger city lying on the foothills of Mount Uludağ near the Sea of Marmara. The city is known for its mosques and historical sites from the early Ottoman Empire. It is also known as “Yeşil Bursa” meaning Green Bursa, gaining its nickname to its many parks and trees, and dramatic mountain backdrop.
- Bursa to Çanakkale (4 hours and 30 min) Take D-200 / E90 all along the coastline to Biga or take the 0-5 south through Balıkesir. Either way the benefit of a hybrid car it can go longer as it does not need charging. Çanakkale is a city on the Dardanelles Strait, and also a gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields, north of the narrow strait. For history lovers this area is filled with sites to visit; the 15th-century Çimenlik Castle, Çanakkale Naval Museum Command, and not to mention the archaeological site at Troy, including an ancient theatre, southwest of the city.
- Çanakkale to Ayvalık (3 hours) Continue along the D-500 taking in the beauty of the scenery this stretch of road offers. Ayvalık is a seaside town on the northwestern Aegean coast. The town centre of Ayvalık is surrounded by the archipelago of Ayvalık Islands, which face the nearby Greek island of Lesbos. Take some time to explore its Old Town and maybe enjoy a few meze dishes or some traditional Turkish desserts depending on when you arrive.
- Ayvalık to İzmir (2 hours and 11 minutes) It is a smooth cruise continuing south on the D-500 and around an hour into your journey you take left to join the O-30. Your final stop in İzmir was also known as Smyrna in antiquity. Turkey’s third-largest city is a melting pot of culture and history creating a unique heritage that still can be seen in its modern cuisine.
Start your trip here:
- Check flights to Istanbul
- Search Hybrid car hire
- Interest in history? Visit the abandoned city of Ephesus, only an hour’s drive by car from İzmir and walk among the ruins dating back to ancient Greece.
4. Sydney to Melbourne, Distance – 655.1 miles (1,054km)
For some lovely scenery, you could travel north up the coast from Sydney to Brisbane by car, but arguably the better drive is to follow the ocean from Sydney to Melbourne. Expect a string of coastal towns and villages, including Kiama, Milton, Lakes Entrance, Bermagui and Narooma, lots of national parks, such as Croajingolong National Park, Wadbilliga National Park and Deua National Park, wild camping spots and turquoise lagoons. There’s a strong Aboriginal presence in parts too, as well as perfect fishing spots, birdlife galore and plenty of kangaroos – especially at Pebbly Beach, where they pose for photographs beside the surf. This is the longest of all listed road trips so make sure to have a few days to experience all the sites this route has to offer. We recommend a 3-day road trip for the selected hotspots.
- Sydney to Berry (1 hour and 47 minutes) Depart Sydney via Princes Hwy/A1 south and join the M1 by Wollongong. Berry is the perfect place to grab a meal as this is a foodie’s paradise. With plenty of local gems, and closeness to wineries you can easily rest up and enjoy a late lunch here. Do not forget to visit the famous Donut Van, a 55-year institution known for its delicious cinnamon doughnuts.
- Berry to Mollymook (1 hour) Before continuing south along the A1 to Mollymook it can be worth visiting a Woolworths to charge up your EV as there are no charging points past Bomaderry. Mollymook is just a few minutes away from the harbour port of Ulladulla and historic rural Milton, with its golden sands beach and clear waters Mollymook beach is one of the most loved on the south coast. This is a good spot to rest up for the night and enjoy some of the fine-dining seafood this town has to offer, renowned Rick Stein at Bannisters with panoramic views of the ocean will not disappoint.
- Mollymook to South Durras (38 minutes) Day two will be the longest drive, so why not start with a shorter drive to South Durras to enjoy a picnic breakfast in the wild. The town is surrounded by Murrumarang National Park, making sights of kangaroos, wallabies and cockatoos just a part of the experience.
- South Durras to Lake Entrance (4 hours) Leaving the kangaroos behind we stretch down the coast towards Lake Entraces still on the A1. You will find charging points in both Batemans Bay and at Woolworths in Narooma. Stop here to recharge both your EV, yourself and if nothing else admire the blue waters surrounding this town. Drive south for another hour and a half until you enter the town of Eden. Enjoy a lunch break and if you are lucky you may also get to see some whales as this is one of the best whale-watching spots in Australia. The final two hours to Lake Entrance are the longest distance on this road trip, enjoy the scenery before resting for the night and maybe enjoy a dinner on the beach from one of the local shops.
- Lake Entrance to Melbourne (3 hours) You have now left New South Wales and entered Victoria and the popular holiday town of Lake Entrance. Take a morning stroll on the shore of Ninety Mile Beach before heading into Melbourne.
Start your trip here:
- Check flights to Sydney
- Search EV & Hybrid car hire
- Looking for a cultural experience? Just 10 minutes from Wollongong, lies the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Take a tour and wander around the beautiful buildings and gardens.
5. Miami to Key West, Distance – 110 miles (177km)
With so much variety on this stretch of Florida’s coast, it’s hard to decide what are the best things to do and see in your limited amount of time. Key West is the southernmost city in the United States, only 90 miles from Cuba. The drive from Miami to Key West takes about four hours on the scenic Overseas Highway crossing a whopping 42 bridges, so have your camera ready for some nice pictures. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and recommend stopping at these six spots during your road trip from Miami to Key West.
- Stop #1: Robert Is Here Fruit Stand Getting some fresh fruit for a road trip on a hot day is a great idea. The best shop on the drive from Miami to Key West is Robert Is Here, a great fruit stand where you can stock up on Key Lime Milkshakes, homemade marmalade, and fresh produce. Located in Homestead, Florida, this fruit stand is one of those places that you must visit if you’re in the area.
- Stop #2: Marathon Key Your second stop along the way is Marathon Key, where you can visit a sea turtle hospital or a dolphin research center. All visitors must be part of a guided tour and it’s better to make reservations. Kids will love it and it will be a great chance to teach them a great lesson about nature and wildlife. A good extra perk is there are charging stations for your EV to top up the battery is needed.
- Stop #3: Seven Mile Bridge This famous bridge connects Knight’s Key in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It is one of the most scenic parts of the drive from Miami to Key West so get your camera ready for some breathtaking photography! The bridge doubles up — as the old part is now used only by pedestrians and cyclists — while the new one is open to vehicular traffic.
- Stop #4: Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum By now, you would have arrived in Key West, but it doesn’t mean your road trip is over. We suggest walking over to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. It’s the place where he lived until he died. If you love cats you will be pleasantly surprised: it’s home to about 50 of them! Interestingly, many of the cats have 6 toes.
- Stop #5: Key Lime Pie Company Key West is the perfect place to eat delicious key lime pie, made using the small limes native to the area, which are juicier and more scented. You can stop at the Key Lime Pie Company for a good slice! Everything you see is homemade, which can’t be beaten!
- Stop #6: Duval Street Spending a night in Key West is mandatory. One of the hottest activities in the area is bar hopping on Duval Street, which is one mile long and packed with small bars and old Victorian mansions.
Start your trip here:
- Check flights to Miami
- Search EV & Hybrid car hire
- Looking for a spot to eat on Duval Street? You’re in luck because there are plenty of options. Head to Blue Heaven for breakfast, Bad Boy Burrito for an affordable yet hearty lunch, and Santiago’s Bodega for Spanish tapas.
FAQs Electric & Hybrid car hire
The car manufacturers usually have their own charging station locator provided with the car. But there are also a number of sites and apps that provide good coverage. Here are a few listed:
Yes, you can but it is wise to plan ahead and locate the nearest charging points on your journey. The average range is 202 miles, but this varies depending on the model as well as how and where you drive. Make sure to check what estimated range the vehicle model you choose fits your road trip plans before booking.
It depends on the model but getting your vehicle’s battery up to 80 % or more normally takes less than an hour. A good tip is to plan some activities, do some shopping or make a food stop while charging.
It varies by the supplier, always check your agreement to make sure you know what is required. Find two examples are below;
Hertz will record the vehicle battery charge at the start of the rental. Failure to return the vehicle in the same state of charge as at pick-up will result in a recharging fee of £ 0.73 (including tax) per missing kWh.
Europcar When you hire an electric car with us our team is on hand to deliver you a seamless experience from start to finish. Plus there’s no need to recharge your vehicle before returning it to us, saving you time as well as money.
Rental prices do differ depending on the pick-up country, so to help you we listed two European examples below. While renting is cheaper in Faro, Portugal, the charging costs are slightly higher compared to Palma in Spain. To calculate your total costs it can be worth estimating the total distance you are planning to drive on your road trip.
| Pick-up | 7 Day STD Car Rental Cost | 7 Day Elec Car Rental Cost | Fuel cost 100KM | Elec Cost 100KM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palma | £391.00 | £605.00 | £11.81 (EUR 14.16) | £2.25 (EUR 2.70) |
| Faro | £274.00 | £384.00 | £12.74(EUR 15.28) | £2.75 (EUR 3.30) |
Ready to go?
Travellers searching for electric and hybrid car hire simply need to select their pick-up location, preferred trip date & pick up time on the Skyscanner car hire search homepage, and tick Electric & Hybrid options under the ‘Greener Choices’ search filter.
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