My 70-Year-Old Dad Just Drove His Ioniq 6 From Oklahoma to Florida (940+ Miles) in One Day, This Was His First EV Road Trip Just as Tesla Chargers Go Live

The modern American road trip is a rite of passage for most licensed drivers in the USA. But with EVs, it’s slightly more difficult to go through this ‘rite’ until Tesla stepped in. Forget what you’ve heard about “range anxiety,” “charger deserts,” or “your EV can’t tow my bass boat.” 

Empowering the Modern American Road Trip

The winds are shifting. Tesla, once the aloof apex predator of proprietary plugs, has finally flung open the gates of its Supercharger kingdom, and suddenly, the open road doesn’t belong to gas stations and greasy fast food stops anymore. It belongs to everyone.

"So happy of my (soon to be) 70-year-old dad, made it from OKC to Panama City Beach with his Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV in one day. 940+ miles!

First time using a supercharger & he had to use several different companies' stations during his trip.

Today, Hyundai went live with Tesla supercharger compatibility, so now his charging network has vastly improved.

It’s never been easier to own an EV!"

That quote isn't from a marketing department or a greenwashed press release, it’s the boots-on-the-ground reality of EV ownership in 2025. A 70-year-old man, who probably remembers the Carter-era gas lines, just drove nearly a thousand miles in a single day, all without a drop of gasoline. His car? A Hyundai Ioniq 6. His mission? A no-nonsense road trip from Oklahoma City to Panama City Beach. Fourteen hours, countless bathroom breaks, several charging stops, including Tesla Superchargers, and zero drama. This wasn’t some pampered Tesla owner coasting from Whole Foods to the wine bar. This was real. And it was effortless.

Hyundai Ioniq 6: Advanced Powertrain, Extended Range & Eco-Friendly Innovation

• The Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers multiple powertrain configurations to cater to diverse driving preferences. The base model features a single rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 168 kW (225 horsepower) and 350 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration in approximately 7.4 seconds. For enhanced performance, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant combines a 165 kW rear motor with a 74 kW front motor, delivering a total system output of 239 kW (320 horsepower) and 605 Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in about 5.1 seconds. ​
• Equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack, the Ioniq 6 offers impressive driving ranges. The rear-wheel-drive model with 18-inch wheels achieves up to 614 km on the WLTP cycle, while the all-wheel-drive version attains approximately 583 km under similar conditions. These figures underscore the vehicle's efficiency and suitability for both urban commutes and long-distance travel. ​
• Emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency, the Ioniq 6 boasts a sleek, streamlined silhouette, resulting in a low drag coefficient of 0.21. This design enhances energy efficiency and contributes to the vehicle's extended range. Inside, the cabin features sustainable materials, including bio-paint derived from vegetable oils and recycled PET fabrics, reflecting Hyundai's commitment to eco-friendly innovation.

Let’s not mince words here: This marks a tectonic shift. For years, EV road-tripping was reserved for the adventurous, the technically inclined, or the masochistic. Charging required multiple apps, convoluted payment schemes, and sometimes just dumb luck. But now? Tesla’s Supercharger network, formerly a closed ecosystem tighter than a Swiss bank vault, has become the backbone of EV freedom. First Rivian. Then Lucid. Kia climbed aboard. And now, Hyundai has joined the fold. A move that doesn’t just change the game; it resets the board entirely.

The American love affair with long-haul driving isn’t about to die with the V8. From Route 66 to I-10, the highway still calls to us, and the EV needs to answer. Not with range estimates and charging curves, but with tangible results. And that’s what this Hyundai trip delivers: proof. Not just that it’s possible, but that it’s practical. Plug in, take a breather, check your texts, stretch your legs, and move on. This isn't a compromise, it's a refinement.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: Unleashing High Performance with Rapid Charging and Sporty Design

• The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is anticipated to feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivering over 641 horsepower, surpassing the performance of its sibling, the Ioniq 5 N. This robust setup is projected to enable a 0-60 mph acceleration time of approximately 3.0 seconds and achieve a top speed of around 165 mph, positioning it as a formidable contender in the high-performance EV segment. ​
• Equipped with an 84 kWh battery pack, the Ioniq 6 N is expected to offer an EPA-estimated range of about 230 miles on a full charge. Its 800V charging architecture allows rapid DC fast charging, potentially replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 18 minutes under optimal conditions, enhancing convenience for performance enthusiasts. ​
• The Ioniq 6 N is likely to incorporate aggressive aerodynamic enhancements, including a prominent rear spoiler and sport-tuned suspension, to optimize handling and stability at high speeds. Interior upgrades may feature sport seats, N-specific design elements, and advanced infotainment options tailored to driving enthusiasts seeking a blend of comfort and high performance.

Tesla’s software-first approach, where vehicle and charger speak fluently, is the secret sauce. No more guessing if a stall works. No more clunky credit card interfaces. You plug in, and it works, like the gas pump used to, back when that meant something. And now, thanks to adapters and access protocols, non-Tesla drivers get the same experience. According to Hyundai’s own support docs, all it takes is a Tesla app and the right adapter. It's plug-and-play, as it should’ve been all along.

That a septuagenarian was able to bounce between Electrify America and Tesla stations without needing a teenager on standby says more than any press conference ever could. The learning curve is flattening. Charging stations are becoming as universal as rest stops. The once fragmented world of EV infrastructure is starting to coalesce into a unified network of sanity. The biggest barrier to adoption, fear of the unknown, is dissolving before our eyes.

Embracing a New Era of Electric Freedom

Yes, rural gaps remain, and yes, not all Superchargers are laid out with every EV in mind. Hyundai’s port placement may make for awkward angles, and charging speeds still depend on temperature and load. But the trend line is undeniable. We’ve crossed a threshold where the road-trip-capable EV is no longer theoretical. It’s here, it’s happening, and your dad is already doing it better than you are.

So let’s call this what it is: a landmark. A declaration that EVs have grown up. Not into something boring or beige, but into something empowering. When a 70-year-old can drive nearly a thousand miles in one shot, through multiple networks, and finish the day with a view of the Gulf Coast, we’re not talking about the future anymore. We’re living in it. And it’s electric.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.