There are also few interesting rules that you need to understand when driving. In this post, we will go through some of the basics of driving in the States, from where to go, places to see and general laws you should be aware of.
Road-tripping in the US is diverse, adventurous and extremely rewarding. But let’s get back to “diverse”…
- US National Parks
There are a total of 423 national park sites in the United States (which include national monuments and historic places) and 63 National Parks, known worldwide for their natural beauty. You may have heard of Yellowstone, Yosemite or Grand Canyon.
You can drive through most of the parks in the US; for example the main road that serves Yellowstone is called “The Grand Loop” and you can safely ride it during the summer season.
Combining road tripping with hiking is something you should have in mind; there are plenty of camping options in most of the designated national parks which are perfect for relaxation and disconnecting.
- Classic Road Trips
Driving towards and inside National Parks is not your only memorable option for a car trip in the USA. There are a series of “classic road trips” you can try out, especially if you are not short on time. The Pacific Coast Highway, Road 66 or “The Loneliest Road” (which connects San Francisco with Maryland, coast-to-coast) are just some of the epic drives worth planning for.
On this note, we highly recommend the series Stephen Fry in America , to get a glimpse of the US landscape, but also a little insight into the American culture. It’s a witty and charming show that the genuine traveler in you will enjoy for sure.
- Driving in the States for the first time. Things You Should know:
First off, driving in the US is done on the right side (except for the US Virgin Islands). This should come handy for most Europeans (except of course for the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta).
If you are not driving a business car (you can go here for a commercial auto insurance quote), chances are you will rent a vehicle. For this, you will need a valid driving license. The age of driving in the US varies depending on the laws of each state, but it is generally between 16 and 18 years old. Most rental car companies require that you are over 21 in order to get a car. There is a surcharge if you are under 25.
Each state has its own laws and rules, so be sure to run a quick search before driving from one state to the next. But as a general rule, keep an eye on road signs, speed limits, and school buses (you have to stop withing 20 meters of a school bus when it is flashing red lights). Wear a seat belt and stay off alcohol.
- Avoid driving in extremely crowded cities
…and instead, use public transportation (subway preferably). There is a report from 2019 that states some of the best cities to drive in the US are Brownsville, Texas and Boise (capital city of Idaho).
At the opposite end, Boston and Worcester City in Massachusetts ranked the lowest in terms of traffic safety.
To wrap things up, driving in the US can be both challenging and rewarding, depending on the amount of planning and the places you choose to visit.
If you love exploring the city, then be sure to read about some driving “house rules” for each state in advance and be sure to drive defensively. However, road tripping in the US is mostly about the open road and the beauty of national parks, so be sure to have nature and classic routes at the beginning of your travel list.
