The US is most easily traversed by car, and once in the car, by highway. “I” (as in “I-90”) refers to interstate highways, “U.S.” (as in “U.S. 1”) to US highways, and “Rte.” (as in “Rte. 7”) to state and local highways. There are often local alternatives to highways, which are worth investigating if you have extra time en route.
In the 1950s, President Dwight D. Eisenhower envisioned a well-organized interstate highway system. His dream has been realized: there is now a comprehensive, well-maintained, efficient means of traveling between major cities and between states. Luckily for travelers, the highways are named with an intuitive numbering system. Even-numbered interstates run east-west and odd ones run north-south, decreasing in number toward the south and the west. North-south routes begin on the West Coast with I-5 and end with I-95 on the East Coast. The southernmost east-west route is I-4 in Florida. The northernmost east-west route is I-94, stretching from Montana to Wisconsin. Three-digit numbers signify branches of other interstates (e.g., I-285 is a branch of I-85) that often skirt around large cities.
Having a car will give you far better access to most places in the US. While some cities have excellent public transit, others have none, and it is often difficult to get from place to place without a car. Overall, driving is certainly your best option for seeing the US. The drawbacks of car rentals, however, include steep prices (a compact car rents for $25-45 per day) and high minimum ages for rentals (usually 25). Most branches rent to drivers ages 21 to 24 with an additional fee. A few establishments will rent to those over 18, but this is rare and will almost certainly be accompanied by a hefty fee. When evaluating rental costs it is important to note that cheaper cars tend to be less reliable and harder to handle on difficult terrain. Less expensive 4WD vehicles in particular tend to be more top-heavy, and are more dangerous when navigating especially bumpy roads.
You can generally make reservations before you leave by calling major international offices in your home country. Occasionally, however, the price and availability of information they give isn’t the same as what the local offices in your country will tell you. Try checking with both numbers to make sure you get the best price and accurate information. Local desk numbers are included in town listings; for home-country numbers, call your toll-free directory.
Car rental agencies fall into two categories: national companies with hundreds of branches, and local agencies that serve only one city or region. National chains usually allow you to pick up a car in one city and drop it off in another (for a hefty charge). Alamo (☎800-462-5266; www.alamo.com) rents to ages 21 to 24 with a clean driving record and major credit card for an increased rate. Enterprise (☎800-261-7331; www.enterprise.com) and Dollar (☎800-800-3665; www.dollar.com) rent to customers ages 21 to 24, while most, but not all, Thrifty (☎800-847-4389; www.thrifty.com) locations do likewise for varying surcharges. Rent-A-Wreck (☎800-944-7501; www.rent-a-wreck.com) specializes in supplying vehicles that are past their prime for lower prices; a bare-bones compact less than eight years old rents for around $30. There may be a charge for a collision and damage waiver (CDW), which usually comes to about $12-15 per day. Major credit cards (including MasterCard and American Express) will sometimes cover the CDW if you use their card to rent a car; call your credit card company for specifics. Most agencies have frequent special rates—be sure to check online or ask the agent before renting.
Rental car prices start at around $20-50 a day. Expect to pay more for larger cars and for 4WD. Many rental packages offer unlimited miles, although some do have mileage restrictions. Return the car with a full tank of gas to avoid high fuel charges. Be sure to ask whether the price includes insurance against theft and collision. If you are driving a conventional vehicle on an unpaved road in a rental car, you are almost never covered by insurance. Insurance plans almost always come with a deductible. This means you pay for all damages up to that sum, unless they are the fault of another vehicle. The deductible applies to collisions with other vehicles; collisions with non-vehicles, such as trees, will cost you even more.
These services match drivers with car owners who need cars moved from one city to another. Travelers give the company their desired destination and the company finds a car that needs to go there. Expenses include gas and tolls. Some companies insure their cars; with others, your security deposit covers any breakdowns or damage. You must be over 21, have a valid license, and agree to drive about 400 mi. per day on a fairly direct route. One popular company is Auto Driveaway Co., 11 East Adams, Ste. 1402, Chicago, IL 60603 (☎800-346-2277; www.autodriveaway.com). Another option is Across America Driveaway, 10811 Washington Blvd. #302, Culver City, CA 90232 (☎800-677-6686 or 310-798-3374; www.schultz-international.com).
If you do not have a license issued by a US state or Canadian province or territory, you might want an International Driving Permit (IDP)—it is not required, but may help with police if your license is not written in English. Although the IDP does not require a driving test, you must carry your home license with your IDP at all times. Your IDP, valid for one year, must be issued in your own country before you depart. You must be over 18 to be eligible. An application for an IDP usually requires one or two photos, a current local license, an additional form of identification, and a fee. To apply, contact the national or local branch of your home country’s automobile association. Be careful when purchasing an IDP online or anywhere other than your home automobile association. Many vendors sell permits of questionable legitimacy for higher prices.
Most credit cards cover standard insurance. If you rent, lease, or borrow a car, you may need to certify that you have liability insurance. If you do not have car insurance, most rental companies provide their own basic liability coverage for the duration of the rental.
While driving, be sure to buckle up. Seatbelts are required by law in most regions. The speed limit in the US varies considerably from region to region. Most urban highways have a 55-65 mph (89kph) limit, while rural routes range from 65 mph (104kph) to 75 mph (120kph). Heed the limit; not only does it save gas, but most local and state police forces make frequent use of radar to catch speed demons. Gasoline prices vary significantly. They are generally much cheaper on the East Coast than on the West, and small, independent stations often offer better prices than national chains. Expect to pay at least $3 per gallon (3.8 liters).
Road conditions vary considerably throughout the country. Some cities have excellent roads, while others have roads riddled with potholes. In rural areas, you may find dirt roads which are considerably slower than paved streets. Watch for signs warning about animal crossings; depending on the region, signs could caution drivers to look for ducks, longhorn, moose, or other animals. Another danger on the road is weather. Depending on the region, snow, ice, sleet, or rain can make driving particularly dangerous. Pay attention to road conditions in bad weather, especially at night, and slow down or pull over if it becomes unsafe to drive.
Most automobile clubs offer free towing, emergency roadside assistance, travel-related discounts, and random goodies. Travelers should strongly consider membership if planning an extended roadtrip.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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