The Revival of the British Family Road Trip
There are always going to be families who escape to the Mallorca sun or the magic of Disney World, but for many others, the classic British road trip is coming back with style.
Parents will remember the freedom and joy that came with a good road trip when they were young, and it goes without saying that they’ll want to deliver the same experience for their own children.
Due to more flexible timing, increasing travel costs, and a strong desire to avoid chaotic and stressful airports, families across the UK are choosing staycations instead of overseas trips.
At the same time, electric vehicles, or simply EVs, are changing the game for how families are travelling around the UK. Close to 475,000 EVs were registered in Britain alone in 2025, which translates to roughly one quarter of all new car sales. Furthermore, the UK’s charging infrastructure continues to grow and grow, with nearly 120,000 public charging points accessible for EV drivers nationwide.
How packing for a road trip has changed
It’s fair to say that a family road trip isn’t simply a case of chucking a suitcase into the boot and driving off to hope for the best.
These days there is careful planning for any road trip holiday. Parents will have to pack many things that they most likely didn’t have when they were a child. Anything from fancy bicycles to camping gear to gaming consoles must be somewhere in the vehicle for a successful and drama-free staycation.
Comfort and cabin space are incredibly vital to ensure that everyone has enough room, which is especially important when there are younger siblings in the back.
This is precisely where electric SUVs are excelling, as these larger vehicles are able to handle more passengers and accommodate many items in the boot. For example, the smart #5 electric SUV is showcasing a whole new type of EV with its design and performance.
Being loaded with useful tech for guidance and entertainment is one thing, but the handling and acceleration of these newer smart SUVs helps everyone relax more comfortably – any parent knows that a relaxed child makes for any easier journey.
Charging stops become simply part of the road trip
A fundamental difference to how we view road trips nowadays are the stops along the way. While your dashboard will indeed tell you how long you can drive on a single charge, it may still happen that you need to top-up your EV battery along the way.
EV charging pauses can be part of the trip, rather than simply a quick break at a depressing petrol station. The UK has over 16,000 rapid chargers that can reduce charging times significantly, but you can also use the occasion to stretch your legs, play some football or frisbee, eat lunch, or simply check out the local scenery.
The road trip doesn’t necessarily need to focus on getting from A to B as fast as possible, but some careful planning means you can recharge your EV battery and include some tourist destinations along the way. After all, the UK has more than enough great sights, which brings us to…
The top spots in the UK to visit on your EV road trip
Regardless of whether you’re staying at a caravan park or have booked a cosy cottage somewhere remote, these are a few places in Britain perfect for a staycation road trip.
It’s not hard to see why the Lake District remains one of the UK’s most popular road trip destinations for families. With quaint lakeside towns, epic mountain vistas, and tonnes of outdoor activities, it’s the perfect place to disconnect from our daily gadget-heavy lives back home.
Ideas for the family include taking a boat trip on Windermere, feeding the birds around Bowness, gentle walks around the many lakes, and enjoying the old-school arcades and ice cream shops dotted around the lakefronts.
Visitors from the USA or Australia might scoff at the idea of Cornwall being a beach holiday, but it’s still the nicest beach area in the UK and we’re proud of it. Apart from being an exciting place to relax on the sand and watch surfers – or even trying it yourself – there’s much to enjoy in Cornwall.
Rock pools are fun for kids to discover all sorts of sea creatures and there are numerous boat tours to spot seals, but let’s be honest, it couldn’t be a beach holiday without the famous fish ‘n’ chips on the harbour. When you need a break from the beach, there’s also the Tintagel Castle, the futuristic Eden Project, and even a coastal train ride around St Ives.
There’s a lot of action and adventure to be found in Snowdonia, but it’s also enough if you simply want to gaze at the scenery and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Of course, for the kids, there’s the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Caernarfon Castle, Zip World parks, and even kayaking if you’re feeling bold.
A perfect spot for bike rides, make sure you’ve packed your SUV with all the family bicycles and set off along the many trails. Pack a large picnic and find a comfy spot to witness the sweeping mountain views on offer here.
We’re sure those are enough great ideas for your upcoming family road trip to take in your electric SUV.