Most people know the Sea to Sky Highway as one of Canada’s most beautiful drives. It winds from the edge of Vancouver along Howe Sound, climbs past waterfalls and mountain viewpoints, and continues toward Whistler and Pemberton.
Now, it has another reason to be on your road trip list: it has been named one of the best EV road trips in the world.
According to a study by iSelect, British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Highway ranked seventh globally among the world’s most EV-friendly road trips. The study analyzed 48 iconic road trips across six continents and scored each route based on factors such as charging infrastructure, distance, estimated charging cost, and traveller reviews.
For Canadian travellers, that is a big deal. EV road trips are no longer just about whether you can make it from one charger to the next. The best routes now combine scenery, reliable charging access, reasonable costs, and places you actually want to stop along the way.
Quick Answer: Is the Sea to Sky Highway Good for an EV Road Trip?
Yes. The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the best EV road trips in Canada because it is relatively short, scenic, well-travelled, and supported by charging options along the route. iSelect ranked it seventh in the world for EV road trips, with 49 chargers available across its 121-mile route and a road trip score of 88.15 out of 100.
The route is ideal for electric vehicle drivers because it connects major destinations like Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton without requiring a long, remote drive through charging gaps.
Why EV Road Trips Are Becoming More Popular in 2026
Electric vehicles are becoming a bigger part of travel planning. The International Energy Agency expects global electric car sales to reach 23 million in 2026, representing 28% of total car sales. That means more travellers are thinking about charging stops the same way they used to think about gas stations, rest areas, and coffee breaks.
Charging infrastructure is also expanding. The IEA reported that the worldwide stock of public charging points reached more than 7 million at the end of 2025, with nearly 1.8 million public chargers added in 2025 alone.
That shift matters for road trips. A few years ago, EV travel could feel like a math problem with scenery attached. Now, on the right routes, it can feel much closer to a normal road trip — as long as you plan ahead.
Sea to Sky Highway EV Road Trip at a Glance
| Route | Country | Chargers Available | Charger Distribution | Estimated Charging Cost | Road Trip Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea to Sky Highway | Canada | 49 | 100% | $4.53 CAD | 88.15 |
The Sea to Sky Highway ranked seventh globally in iSelect’s study. The route stretches from Horseshoe Bay toward Pemberton, passing through some of British Columbia’s most famous scenery, including Howe Sound, Squamish, Whistler, and the Coast Mountains.
The World’s Top 10 EV Road Trips
| Rank | Route | Country / Region | Road Trip Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gotthard Pass | Switzerland | 99.81 |
| 2 | Kootenay Highway | Canada | 99.24 |
| 3 | The Deep South | USA | 95.64 |
| 4 | Transfăgărășan Highway | Romania | 91.93 |
| 5 | Jurassic Coast | United Kingdom | 91.04 |
| 6 | Causeway Coastal Route | Northern Ireland | 90.75 |
| 7 | Sea to Sky Highway | Canada | 88.15 |
| 8 | Grossglockner High Alpine Road | Austria | 87.93 |
| 9 | Czech Paradise Route | Czechia | 87.37 |
| 10 | Peak District Scenic Drive | United Kingdom | 86.36 |
Canada Has Two of the World’s Best EV Road Trips
One of the most interesting parts of the ranking is that Canada appears twice in the global top 10.
The Kootenay Highway ranked second in the world, with a score of 99.24 out of 100. The Sea to Sky Highway ranked seventh, with a score of 88.15. That gives Canada two of the highest-rated EV road trip routes in the world according to iSelect’s index.
That should not be surprising to anyone who has road-tripped through British Columbia. Canada’s western mountain routes already offer some of the best scenery in the world. The difference now is that EV infrastructure is starting to make those drives more accessible for electric vehicle owners.
Why the Sea to Sky Highway Works So Well for EV Drivers
The Sea to Sky Highway is not a long cross-country endurance test. That is part of what makes it such a good EV route.
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is short enough for many modern EVs to handle comfortably, but scenic enough that you will want to stop anyway. Instead of treating charging as an inconvenience, you can build it into the trip.
Stops like Squamish, Shannon Falls, Brandywine Falls, Whistler Village, and Pemberton give travellers natural breaks along the way. For EV drivers, that means charging can happen while you eat, hike, shop, or take photos instead of sitting around watching a battery percentage crawl upward.
Best Stops on a Sea to Sky Highway EV Road Trip
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is a great place to start if you are coming from Vancouver. It has waterfront views, ferry traffic, cafes, and a relaxed village feel before the highway begins climbing toward Squamish.
Shannon Falls
Shannon Falls is one of the easiest scenic stops on the Sea to Sky Highway. The short walk to the waterfall makes it a perfect break on the way to Squamish or Whistler.
Squamish
Squamish is one of the best stops on the route. The town sits beneath the Stawamus Chief, one of the largest granite monoliths in the world, and offers restaurants, breweries, outdoor gear shops, and EV charging options. It is a practical and enjoyable place to top up your battery while taking a longer break.
Sea to Sky Gondola
Just outside Squamish, the Sea to Sky Gondola lifts passengers above the treeline for panoramic views of Howe Sound and the surrounding peaks. The gondola base area has parking and facilities, making it a natural stop for EV drivers who want to charge while spending an hour or two at elevation.
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is a short detour off the highway between Squamish and Whistler. The falls drop roughly 70 metres into a volcanic canyon and can be reached by a short trail from the parking area.
Whistler
Whistler is the main destination on most Sea to Sky road trips. The village has hotels, restaurants, ski lifts, mountain biking trails, and a pedestrian village centre that is worth exploring regardless of the season. EV charging is available at several locations in and around Whistler Village.
Pemberton
Pemberton sits about 30 kilometres north of Whistler and marks the far end of most Sea to Sky itineraries. It has a quieter, more agricultural feel than Whistler, with a small downtown, local cafes, and views of the surrounding farmland and mountains. For EV drivers, Pemberton also has charging infrastructure, which makes it a viable turnaround point before heading back toward Vancouver.
Tips for Driving the Sea to Sky Highway in an EV
Plan Your Charging Stops Before You Leave
Use a route planner like PlugShare or A Better Route Planner before you set out. Knowing where chargers are located along the route means you can time your stops around the things you actually want to do rather than scrambling to find a charger when your battery runs low.
Do Not Wait Until Your Battery Is Almost Empty
On mountain routes, energy consumption can be higher than expected on the way up and more efficient on the way down. Charge when you have the opportunity rather than waiting until you need to.
Expect Range to Change With Terrain and Weather
Climbing from sea level toward Whistler and Pemberton will use more energy than flat driving. Cold weather also reduces battery range. Factor both into your planning, especially if you are driving in shoulder seasons or winter.
Charge While You Stop
The Sea to Sky Highway is designed for stopping. Build your charging time into your sightseeing rather than treating it as a separate task. Charge at Squamish while you have lunch, or plug in at Whistler while you walk around the village.
Download Charging Apps Before You Go
Apps like PlugShare, ChargePoint, and BC Hydro EV allow you to locate chargers, check real-time availability, and pay for charging sessions. Download and set up accounts before you leave so you are not troubleshooting account access on the road.
Best Apps for Planning an EV Road Trip
- PlugShare — crowdsourced charger locations with real-time check-ins and reviews
- A Better Route Planner (ABRP) — optimizes your route around charging stops based on your specific vehicle
- ChargePoint — access to ChargePoint network chargers across North America
- BC Hydro EV — useful specifically for BC Hydro fast charger locations in British Columbia
Is the Sea to Sky Highway Worth Driving Without an EV?
Yes. The Sea to Sky Highway has been a popular road trip route long before electric vehicles became part of the conversation. The scenery, the stops, and the accessibility make it one of the most rewarding drives in western Canada regardless of what you are driving. The EV ranking simply adds another layer for drivers who want a well-supported electric vehicle route with low charging costs and plenty of stops.
What This Ranking Means for Canadian Travel
Canada placing two routes in the global top 10 — the Kootenay Highway at second and the Sea to Sky Highway at seventh — signals that British Columbia has become one of the better provinces for EV road tripping. The combination of charging infrastructure investment, relatively short routes between destinations, and high-quality scenery gives BC a genuine advantage in this space.
For budget-conscious EV travellers, the Sea to Sky Highway is particularly appealing. The estimated charging cost for the full route is just $4.53 CAD, making it one of the most affordable ways to experience a world-class scenic drive.
Sea to Sky Highway EV Road Trip Checklist
- Charge to at least 80% before leaving Vancouver
- Download PlugShare and ABRP before departure
- Plan charging stops at Squamish and Whistler
- Build sightseeing time around charging sessions
- Check charger availability at your planned stops the morning you leave
- Carry a Level 2 portable charger as a backup
- Account for elevation gain and cold weather when estimating range
Final Thoughts
The Sea to Sky Highway has always been one of Canada’s great drives. What the iSelect ranking confirms is that it is now also one of the most practical and affordable EV road trips in the world. With 49 chargers across a 121-mile route, a charging cost of just $4.53 CAD, and natural stopping points built into the drive, it is a route that works with an electric vehicle rather than against one. Whether you are driving it for the first time or returning for another season, the Sea to Sky Highway remains one of the best reasons to get behind the wheel in British Columbia.
