Victoria to Newfoundland in Canada: One B.C. Couple’s Cross-Country Ford F-150 Lightning Road Trip

In May 2023, Kerry and Sally, a retired, Victoria-based couple, hopped behind the wheel of their new Ford F-150 Lightning and seized the opportunity for adventure. Prompted by Sally’s life-changing cancer diagnosis, they decided it was time to turn her dream of journeying across the country into a reality. As avid campers who love to spend time outdoors, they instantly knew the F-150 Lightning was the perfect vehicle for their adventurous lifestyle.

“We were really intrigued when we saw the Ford F-150 Lightning, especially with the gas prices here in British Columbia,” said Kerry. “We put our name in and waited. We were excited when the vehicle arrived and excited to hit the road.”

Accompanied by their dog Lucy, a Maltese mix, Kerry and Sally embraced the EV-lifestyle and celebrated life – travelling from the scenic shores of Victoria, B.C., to the rugged beauty of St John’s, Newfoundland, and back – covering just under 19,000 kilometres over the course of 60 days. They documented their journey on their personal Facebook pages for family and friends. 

Highlights From Their F-150 Lightning Experience

• Charging the F-150 Lightning at campsites and RV sites, rather than traditional charging stations allowed the couple to both charge and to connect with nature while enjoying their surroundings.
• Often using the truck bed as their sleeping quarters with a blow-up mattress and tent, allowed them to comfortably camp under the stars.
• Using the F-150 Lightning’s available 9.6kW of Pro Power Onboard exportable power, Kerry and Sally were able to bring the creature comforts from home on the road. They charged their phones and tablet (which doubled as their television at night), they started their mornings with a hot cup of coffee, freshly brewed using their own machine, and brought a portable electric barbecue to cook their own meals. Finally, to end the day, they also used the feature to power their ice cube machine for a refreshing, post-drive evening drink!

"We made coffee every morning, pluged the cooler in the back, and made ice each night,” said Sally. “We loved being able to power so many things.”

They experienced the expected learning curve associated with being new EV drivers, such as locating charging locations, but the couple quickly overcame any challenges and successfully reached their goal of driving across the country and back.

“We found an EV community while on the road. At one point we met another EV owner, ended up leapfrogging along our drive, and kept running into them. We stayed in touch – exchanging charging information along the way,” said Kerry. “Driving west was easier than driving east – we knew where to stop and how to find charging. It’s all about learning a new way of powering your vehicle and it just becomes your new way of thinking.”

The Journey Continues

By the end of their journey, Kerry and Sally fell in love with their EV and committed to continuing their ‘electrifying’ adventures. Not only did they take their F-150 Lightning on a Campbell River, B.C., camping trip earlier this year, but they also just returned from a trip to Banff to celebrate their 15th anniversary.

The couple is so passionate about their vehicle, they even convinced their neighbour – an EV driver loyal to another brand – to purchase an F-150 Lightning.

Kerry and Sally’s inspirational journey showcases their resilience, zest for life and sense of adventure, even in the face of adversity. Their story serves as a testament to the beauty and versatility of EV driving and is a valuable reminder to all to live life to the fullest.