What are reliable EV charging strategies for a Chicago-to-Denver I-80 trip?

[Oliver_M]

I'm planning a major road trip from Chicago to Denver this summer in my new electric vehicle, and while I'm excited, I'm genuinely anxious about the reliability and availability of EV charging infrastructure along the more rural stretches of I-80. I've mapped out potential stops using popular apps, but I've read horror stories about chargers being out of service, long queues, or incompatible plug types that could leave me stranded. For experienced EV travelers, what is your practical strategy for ensuring you can reliably charge on a long-distance route through less populated areas? How do you vet charging stations beyond the app's status, what backup plans do you always have, and are there specific tools or memberships that have proven indispensable for cross-country EV travel?