Chevrolet Blazer EV: Conquering a 550-Mile Grand Canyon Road Trip

Man, when I piled into the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS RWD for a 550-mile haul from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim in September 2025, I was stoked but nervous. Could an EV handle three states, four charging networks, and zero pre-planning without leaving us stranded? My buddy Jake, riding shotgun, bet we’d be fine, hyping the Blazer’s 334-mile range like it was a cheat code. Spoiler: we made it, tacos and all, using Tesla, Electrify America, and ChargePoint stations. But it wasn’t all smooth cruising—elevation changes and slow chargers tested our patience. Here’s why the Blazer EV proved EVs are road-trip ready, even for a wild ride to the Grand Canyon.

Chevrolet Blazer EV Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Test

Picture this: it’s early morning, I’m at 85% charge in L.A., and Jake’s blasting our road-trip playlist. The goal? Hit Tacos El Gordo in Vegas, scoop some friends, and reach the North Rim for a monster hike. The Blazer EV’s 102-kWh battery and 334-mile EPA range had me feeling cocky, so we didn’t map chargers—crazy, right? My last EV trip to Tucson taught me to start high, run the battery low, and unplug around 70% to avoid slow charge rates. The Blazer’s plush ride ate up I-15’s empty freeways, but elevation swings hit harder than expected, dropping our range fast. EVs can road-trip, but they demand some brainpower.

No Plan, No Problem? Navigating with Google Maps

The Blazer’s 17.7-inch infotainment screen, running Google Maps, was our co-pilot. It predicts range at your destination, adjusting for hills and heat—super handy when you’re winging it. Jake was geeking out over the interface, saying it’s like “Google Maps on steroids.” After 140 miles, we were at 35% (112 miles left) and needed a top-up before Vegas. We hit a Tesla V3 Supercharger in Yermo, California, grabbing 245 miles in 24 minutes (35% to 72%). Later, in Vegas, a quick 23-minute stop at a Tesla station by the Premium Outlets bumped us from 23% to 50% (163 miles). The Blazer’s Google Maps kept us sane, but skipping a plan meant constant range checks.

Charging Networks: Tesla, Electrify America, and ChargePoint

We leaned hard on four networks: Tesla’s V3 and V4 Superchargers, Electrify America, and ChargePoint. In North Las Vegas, a V4 Supercharger (325 kW max) took us from 44% to 68% in 19 minutes, but the Blazer’s 400-volt system caps at 190 kW, so we didn’t max it out. In Utah, a Tesla V3 station was too cramped for the Blazer’s charge port, so we pivoted to an Electrify America 150-kW charger at a Walmart in Washington. It was brutal—43 minutes to go from 17% to 70% at 108 kW peak. Jake grabbed snacks while I cursed the heat. In Kanab, Utah, a ChargePoint 125-kW station saved us, charging from 39% to 97% in 76 minutes while we chowed down downtown. Tesla’s plug abundance was clutch, but slower speeds and tight stalls were a pain.

Challenges: Elevation, Heat, and No Lodge Chargers

The 122-mile climb to Utah drained us to 17%, and the Grand Canyon Lodge (RIP, lost to a wildfire) had no chargers, forcing a detour to Kanab. I used the MyChevrolet app and Google Maps to confirm a ChargePoint station 75 miles north, but overcharging to 97% was overkill—70% would’ve been fine. Heat over 100°F slowed charging, and the Blazer’s 400-volt architecture didn’t love the V4 Superchargers’ potential. Jake and I nearly had a heart attack when a bison darted across the road 15 miles from the lodge, but the Blazer’s brakes were razor-sharp. Planning could’ve shaved time, but we never got stuck, proving EVs can handle remote trips.

Blazer EV Road Trip Lessons: Comfort and Confidence

The 1,100-mile round trip was a masterclass in EV road-tripping. On the return, we skipped Kanab, stretching 234 miles to Electrify America in Utah, then hit Tesla Superchargers in Henderson, Nevada, and Yermo, running the battery below 20% each time for efficiency. The Blazer EV’s cushy seats and passing power made overtaking a breeze, and its 5G Wi-Fi kept Jake’s laptop humming for work in the middle of nowhere. Charging’s slower than a gas pump—43 minutes at Electrify America was painful—but with 250,000+ CCS and NACS chargers across North America, we always found a plug. EVs are ready for the Grand Canyon, no genius required.

So, you hitting the road in an EV or sticking to gas? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk adventure!

Source- motortrend.com