Why this trip

We’ve been curious what an EV road trip to a national park actually feels like, especially with kids, gear, and mountain passes. Yosemite is one of our favorite places in California, so we pointed the all-electric VW ID. Buzz north from Los Angeles and built a simple plan: keep charging predictable, keep the schedule flexible, and soak up as much granite + sky as we could.

Route & charging plan

We mapped LA → Yosemite with two brief DC fast-charging stops each way.
Pre-planning with popular charging apps made it straightforward to:
Cluster fast chargers near coffee/food so stops felt like breaks, not chores.
Start each leg at ~80–90% and arrive with comfortable buffers.
Top up before heading into the park, where charging can be slower and busier.
How it played out: Both directions were easy. Short stops (stretch + bathroom + snack) dovetailed with charging windows, and we never felt like we were “waiting on the car.”

Driving impressions in the mountains

Quiet confidence: The electric powertrain made climbs smooth and drama-free.
Regenerative braking: Coming down from higher elevations, regen recaptured energy and reduced brake usage—great for control and comfort.
Cabin calm: EV silence + a roomy, flexible interior = markedly lower back-seat chaos. Sliding/adjustable seating let us reconfigure quickly for kid needs or cameras.

Space & family usability

The ID. Buzz shines on space. We packed camp gear, a cooler, layers for chilly mornings, and plenty of snacks. Flat load floor and smart storage meant no Jenga at trailheads. Big windows and a high seating position gave the kids “wow” views the whole way.

Yosemite highlights

Early light in Yosemite Valley with Half Dome peeking through the pines.
Picnic by the Merced, no idling, just quiet river sounds.
A golden-hour stroll beneath towering granite after a short, top-up charge outside the park.

Efficiency & charging cadence

We found a rhythm: drive 2–3 hours → 20–30 min fast charge. That cadence naturally aligned with our family breaks and kept everyone fresh. Inside the park, we relied on slower Level 2 charging when convenient and started activities with healthy range to avoid back-tracking.

EV road-trip tips (what we’d tell friends)

Plan, then relax. Pin a few reliable fast-charge stations along your route and one alternate per stop.
Charge where you’d stop anyway. Pair sessions with meals, bathrooms, and leg stretches.
Top up before the park. Treat the entrance like a trailhead: arrive prepared.
Use regen on descents. It improves control and adds a few bonus miles.
Pack smart. Keep charging cable, headlamps, snacks, and layers handy.
Be a good park guest. Follow Leave No Trace, respect charging etiquette, and don’t block chargers longer than needed.

Final thoughts

The ID. Buzz turned a standard drive into a surprisingly peaceful experience, quiet climbs, easy descents, and an interior that works for families and gear. With a bit of planning, charging simply became part of the flow. If you’re EV-curious and eyeing a national park, our takeaway is simple: it’s absolutely doable, and honestly, delightful.

Have questions about the route, charging, or packing? Drop them in the comments, I’m happy to share what worked (and what we’d tweak next time).

LA to Yosemite in an Electric Icon: Our Family Road Trip in the VW ID. Buzz