Road trips don’t belong to gas vehicles – EV owners can get in on the sightseeing and exploring, too. While many cite range anxiety as the thing keeping them from hopping on the open road, with a little research and the right EV trip planner app, you’ll be ready to pack your bags.

The Lone Star State is a great place to start, and you can’t go wrong with a tour of the best Texas BBQ. Wondering where to find the best bbq in Austin? Or maybe the best BBQ in San Antonio? Keep reading to discover where to eat, what to do, and where to charge your electric vehicle on your road trip through Texas.

Finding the Best BBQ in Austin

Let us be your EV trip planner – and we recommend getting started in Austin. Let’s skip right to the good stuff with a visit to one of Texas’s most popular destinations: Austin. The city is known for its quirky atmosphere, live music, and general good vibes – and their stellar barbecue scene lends a delicious addition to the list of things that makes Austin stand out. So, once you arrive, it’s time to get your eat on. Stop into one of these quality barbecue joints to get a sense of what Austin has to offer.

Where to eat the best barbecue in Austin, Texas: 

• Micklethwait Craft Meats - Come here for the barbeque, stay for the fun camping vibe. Micklethwait Craft Meats has been in business since 2012, and they’ve been serving some of the best BBQ in Austin(and Texas) ever since. You’ll want to try the sausage and, if you’re feeling adventurous, the pulled lamb.
• FranklinBarbecue - Sitting at spot #2 on Texas Monthly’s list of the Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Texas, FranklinBarbecue is helmed by a James Beard-winning chef, Aaron Franklin. Need we say more? This is your destination if brisket or beef ribs are your fav. Pro tip, though: the ribs are only available on Saturdays, so you’ll want to get there early. Smoked meat waits for no one.
• Loro -We’re not talking traditional bbq here. Helmed by two of Austin’s most decorated pitmasters, this unique restaurant offers up a unique take on the old standards. An “Asian smokehouse,” you’ll find things like Malaysian Chicken Bo Ssam, brisket rubbed in thai herbs, and smoked salmon with a cucumber-yuzu broth on the menu. Traditional? Not at all. Worth it? Absolutely.

What to do in Austin on your EV road trip:

• Explore Lady Bird Lake - This stretch of the Colorado River is a popular Austin attraction, and for good reason. With beautiful views of the Austin skyline and an array of recreational opportunities, you can spend your whole day here if that’s what you’re into.Consider renting a paddleboard and enjoy an eco-friendly way to get lost in theAustin views.
• Take a dip in Barton Springs Pool - You’ll find this three-acre pool in Zilker Park, and you can visit it year-round. That’s right – this pool is fed from underground springs, and the average temperature remains at 68 to 70 degrees.Take a dip in the summer or the winter! When you’re done at the pool, head over to Splash!, an exhibit that outlines the history and biology of the area.

Where to charge your electric vehicle in Austin, Texas:

You’ll find charging stations available throughout Austin, but here are a few options near these classic Austin barbecue joints:

• ChargePoint Charging Station on E 5th Street -Park and charge here, and head across the street to get a drink at Brew and Brew or catch a night of music at Parish. Here are the details: four CCS/SAEplugs and four CHAdeMO plugs, open 24/7.
• Austin City Hall- Park here to charge your electric vehicle. While you wait, walk a block down to the trails lining theColorado River. Here are the details: five J-1772 plugs, open 24/7.
• Element Austin at The Domain - Stay the nightat Element Austin at The Domain, where you can charge your EV in one of their six stations. Here are the details: six J-1772 plugs, open 24/7.

Availability and condition of electric vehicle charging stations varies, so download You.Car, the Ultimate EV app, to see real-time information about charging locations (and other good stuff, too).

Take a Quick Stop in Lockhart

When you’ve had your fill of Austin, hop on the road. You won’t have to go far to find your next barbecue stop. Just 30miles from Austin, you’ll find Lockhart, Texas – declared the “BBQ Capital ofTexas” by the Texas Legislature.

Where to eat Texas barbecue in Lockhart:

• Black’s Barbecue - Here, you’ll find one of the LoneStar State’s legendary barbecue joints. With over eighty years of history, Black’s Barbecue has the honor of being one of the oldest family-owned barbecue restaurants in Texas, so it’s worth a stop on your EV road trip. They’re known for their beef ribs and sausage, but it’s the brisket that’s truly a marvel. If you’re comparing brisket from BBQ stops across Texas, you’ll want to try theirs to see if their unique method of letting the meat chill for a few days in between smoking is worth the hype.
• Chisholm Trail BBQ - You’ve probably had BBQ off of a food truck, but have you ever had drive-thru bbq? Now’s your chance. It’s also your opportunity to go wild on the sides. Hash browns, fried squash, pea salad, potato salad, carrot slaw – say yes to all of it.

What to do while you’re in Lockhart:

• Lockhart State Park - If you want to see a little more of this little town (it’s under 16 square miles), take a guided hike around the state park. It offers a calendar full of fun events; some of their past activities have included a Zombie Apocalypse Hike and Geocaching 101.

Where to charge your electric vehicle:

Lockhart doesn’t have public electric vehicle chargers, but if you need a charge before your next stop, you can find a few in Seguin, Texas. Get a quick top-up at either of these hotels:

• Hampton Inn on Larkin Ave - Find two J-1772 plugs here.
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites on Jay Rd - You’ll find three Tesla plugs here.

When you’re ready to get going, hop back on the I-10 and keep going ’til San Antonio. 

Finding the Best BBQ in San Antonio

Our next stop, just 60 miles away, brings us to one of Texas’s most beautiful cities: San Antonio. You’ll enjoy plenty of good food and stellar nightlife here, so as your designated EV trip planner, we recommend spending at least one night here if you can. Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do while you’re in a town and introduce you to some of the best BBQ in San Antonio.

Where to eat the best BBQ in San Antonio, Texas:

• Garcia’s Mexican  - Is it time for another unorthodox take onBBQ? This is where you’ll find it. Stop in early for a smoked brisket taco (with eggs) or come by later for a brisket taco with guacamole. If pork is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with the pork chop taco.
• Two Bros. BBQ Market - If authenticity is more your thing, then grab a table here and order their two meat plate. You’ll get to taste their smokey, tender brisket and the sausage. If you visit on a weekend, you’ll even enjoy some live music!
• B-Daddy’s BBQ - If you want to venture to the outskirts of the city, then stop here for hospitality, homemade sides, and a creative take on a classic comfort food: brisket grilled cheese. This restaurant started as a food truck before evolving into a brick-and-mortar, and they’ve prioritized a friendly atmosphere. You can’t go wrong.

What to do in San Antonio on your EV road trip:

• The San Antonio River Walk - A trip to San Antonio wouldn’t be complete without time meandering along the River Walk. It’s renowned for its wide swath of entertainment: sightseeing, shopping, dining, cultural events, live music, boat tours… you’ll have your pick of how to spend your time.
• San AntonioBotanical Garden - Stop at the botanical garden to learn about native plants. If they’re offering it, take the sustainability tour to discover how they conserve resources through infrastructure, architecture, and plants – you might even go home with some ideas for your home garden!

Run into some trouble? Here’s what to do if the charging station is broken. 

Where to charge your electric vehicle in San Antonio:

San Antonio is a great place for electric vehicle owners – you’ll find charging stations all throughout the city, so you can use the You.Car app to narrow down which one fits your needs at the time. Here are a few we suggest:

• LAZ Parking on S Alamo Street - Park here to charge and then take the 10-minute stroll over the River Walk. Here are the details: six Teslas plugs, open 24/7.
• Stay at the Comfort Suites - If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, lodge and charge at the Comfort Suites. It’s centrally located and convenient. Here are the details: one J-1772 plug and two Tesla plugs, open 24/7.

Once you’ve eaten your way through SanAntonio, we’re off for the longest leg of our EV road trip: 210 miles toHouston, Texas. The drive over to Houston is a bit longer than our other stops, so if you need a quick charge, take a stop at the Flatonia Supercharger (8Tesla chargers) or the Guadalupe Valley Electric Coop (1 J-1772) along the way.

Finding the Best BBQ in Houston

We’re off to find the best BBQ in Houston. TheLone Star State is peppered with big, destination cities, and it’s no surprise that Houston makes the list. Whether you’re looking for art, cuisine, sports, or culture, you’ll find it and more in Houston, so of course the city made it on our EV trip plan. It’s a food haven and a diverse metropolis, so it’s the perfect final stop on our electric vehicle road trip itinerary through Texas. Let’s dive in.

Where to eat the best BBQ in Houston, Texas:

• The Pit Room - Stop here in the morning for a breakfast taco to start your day before you head out to explore Houston. Not your thing? This is still a worthwhile stop, especially if you’re interested in sampling some unique sausage, like jalapeno-cheddar or black pepper garlic venison. They’re open seven days a week, so you can always come back for more.
• Killen’s BBQ - If you’re willing to venture to the outer limits of Houston, stop by Killen’s in Pearland, TX. Guests rave about their tender brisket, and you’ll love their house-made sausage and wonderful selection of sides.
• Tejas Chocolate & BBQ - That’s right, meet your new favorite pairing: barbecue and chocolate. They specialize in craft chocolate and some top-quality cuts of meat. Head to the oldest building in Tomball, choose a truffle crafted from raw cacao beans, and dig into beef ribs and burnt ends.

What to do while you’re in Houston on your EV road trip:

• Explore UrbanGreen Spaces - If the outdoors calls your name, take in Hemisfair park or rent a bike to tour Buffalo Bayou Park. Enjoy the scenic views, walking trails, and public art.
• Visit Houston’sMuseum Scene - No matter your interest, you’ll find a museum to duck into during the afternoon.Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, or Children’sMuseum of Houston for a start. Want something more unusual? Try the AmericanCowboy Museum or the Houston Bicycle Museum!
• Visit the SpaceCenter - We can’t talk about Houston without talking about NASA. Take a trip to the Space Center to see spacecraft and artifacts and to explore their interactive exhibits.

Where to charge your electric vehicle in Houston:

You’ll find no shortage of charging stations in Houston, so download our app to help you find the station that has the amenities and features that matter most to you. A few notable options:

• Park at the BRC Garage on Main Street - Conveniently located near the Houston Zoo and the Museum District, you can charge here and enjoy your day simultaneously. Here are the details: find six J-1772 plugs.
• H-E-B on West Alabama St - While you’re enjoying The Pit Room, charge across the street. Here are the details: one CHAdeMO plug, one CCS/SAE plug, one Tesla (fast) plug, and one J-1772 plug, open 24/7.

An electric vehicle is the perfect way to take a tour through the best barbecue Texas has to offer. You need more than just anEV trip planner to get you on the road – you need a trusted companion along the way, and that’s where You.Car comes in. Download our EV app for navigation, charging station location, and complex filtering options. Let’s get on the road!

Looking for other EV road trip plans? Try a drive up the pacific northwest or through New England.