Places to recharge devices

If you don't have an onboard electrical system in your vehicle, and your power needs are too high to recharge everything while driving, you will need to find places to recharge devices. This way you can charge up your phone, power banks, small electronics and similar. Look for electrical outlets at public libraries, coffee shops, some pavilions or picnic shelters at public parks, transportation hubs where people need to wait, and bathrooms or other shelters at campgrounds.

At work - If you are working at a job, you may be able to recharge devices while you work.

Restaurants - Some restaurants provide power outlets near some tables, but be sure not to overstay your welcome: these are intended for paying guests to use while dining, not for you to stay for long periods of time.

Public buildings - Lobbies for public-access buildings (hotels, colleges, hospitals, libraries, etc.) may have a sitting area with power outlets for the table lamps. Hotel breakfast areas may have outlets on the walls near tables. Many places of worship are open even when worship services are not in progress. You may ask to enter the building to meditate or wait (while your devices charge).

Gyms - If you have a gym membership, you may be able to charge devices while using gym equipment or showering.

Outdoor locations - Many buildings at parks, campgrounds, fairs, etc. have outlets you can use. If you paying to stay at a campground with hookups, you can plug in at your site.

Laundromats - While doing your laundry, you can usually find an outlet to charge while you wait.

How to charge

You'll want to get in the habit of bringing your devices along with you when you're not in your vehicle, so you can plug them in whenever the opportunity presents itself.

You may wish to bring a small power strip with USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once, or let someone else also use the outlet. An extension cord may be worthwhile if you find an outlet that's inconveniently placed. You can keep your devices hidden inside a backpack or similar and just have the lone cord coming out of it to plug into the outlet, but be careful about overheating potential and fire risk.

If you have a portable power station or other rechargeable device that has higher power demands, you may need to ask before charging, especially since the batteries may take well over an hour to charge. Be sure that you are allowed to charge devices; using electricity without permission or beyond the normal expectation may not be legal or ethical. It's generally a good idea to bring your power station to the charging location inside a reusable shopping bag or similar.

You will generally need to stay near your devices while they are charging. If your device needs to charge a little longer, you may be able to secure it to something near the outlet with a cable lock or bicycle lock. For example, in a campground bathroom, you could lock a portable power station to the sink's drain pipe by running a cable lock through the power station's handle.