Suits packed, souvenirs stowed, and beach towels dry: summer vacation is coming to an end, and the wave of return travelers is rolling across Europe’s highways. Anyone looking to stop at the well-known service stations along the main traffic arteries is often greeted by queuing EVs, occupied chargers, and frayed nerves.

But long queues at fast chargers don’t have to be part of the trip! With the right strategy in your Chargeprice app, you can smoothly cruise past overcrowded rest stops—and often save money in the process.

Why Taking a Short Detour Off the Highway Pays Off Twice

On busy travel weekends, thousands of EV drivers head for the exact same prominent charging hubs directly on the highway. This not only leads to long wait times, but often higher prices as well.

However, if you divert just 2 to 5 minutes from the highway exit, you benefit in two major ways:

1. Cheaper Rates: Many supermarkets, discounters, shopping centers, and regional energy providers operate their own fast-charging hubs near exits. Because these operators don’t face the high lease fees of highway service stations, their kWh prices are often significantly lower.
2. More Comfort & Better Amenities: Instead of overcrowded highway restrooms and overpriced fast food, off-highway spots offer relaxed shopping opportunities, clean facilities, great restaurants, or cozy cafés.

3 App Hacks for a Stress-Free and Cost-Effective Trip Home

1. Use the Search Radius & Discover Alternatives 🔍

When your battery gets low, don’t rely solely on highway road signs. Open the Chargeprice map and check slightly to the left and right of your route. Commercial areas, supermarkets, or shopping centers right off the exits often feature modern High-Power Chargers (HPC) that don’t appear on highway navigation boards.

2. Filter by Connector Type & Minimum Power ⚡

Nothing is more frustrating than taking an exit only to find a slow AC charger. Set your app filter directly to your required minimum power (e.g., at least 150 kW). This ensures you only see charging points that will get you back on the road quickly.

3. Wallet Check for the Best Price 💳

Before hitting the road: take a quick look at your Chargeprice Wallet. Are your active charging cards and tariffs up to date? The app compares prices live to show you which provider offers the best deal at any off-highway station—allowing you to take full advantage of surprise bargains at supermarkets or local utility networks.