Make a route with the help of services/choose a ready-made course
Use services or choose a ready-made route, proven by thousands of travelers. Don’t neglect the usual road map: it will help you in an unpleasant situation if you have internet problems.
Helpful Lifehacks:
- Use Route XL, RoadTrippers mobile apps;
- Remember that the ideal distance for commuters is 480-560km/day, including stops;
- Pay attention to the distance, not the time indicated in the navigator;
- Some roads are closed for repairs or weather conditions – check the Department of Transportation website.
Plan ahead for stops, hotels, gas stations, and eateries
A detailed plan will save time and help you stay on course. Useful services: mobile applications WorldMate, HotelTonight, CityMaps – will help you find key points, book a hotel, find a snack bar, gas station.
Think about the technical side
Find out in advance where there are service stations and gas stations on the way with the help of fuel search services GasBuddy, iExit, Urgent.ly will tell you about the nearest gas stations and repair shops.
Take into account the influx of tourists
Plan your stops with the influx of tourists in mind. It’s best to split attractions on both sides of the trip.
Everything you need to know about car rental
Rental features:
- Under 24 years of age, only inexpensive cars can be rented: you will have to buy additional insurance;
- If you plan to travel more than a month, it is easier to buy a car than to rent. The cost of a used car is about 1000$, and when you finish your tour, you can sell it for about the same money. Buying a car in the States is easy as hell, some of them don’t even ask for citizenship and license;
- You need more than 3 years of driving experience to rent premium brands;
- It will cost 5$-10$ per day to add an additional driver to the contract;
- The number of days is usually counted from 12 o’clock one day to 12 o’clock the next. If you surrender the car an hour later or take it before 12 o’clock, you will have to pay for an additional day;
- It is more convenient to rent a car immediately upon arrival at the airport. Usually the offices are located near the airport, from which they want buses.
Popular firms:
- Alamo: from 10$/day;
- Hertz: for a “young” age you pay 25$;
- Dollar: rent an economy car from 30$;
- Budget, National Car;
- Avis: $25 for young age.
Booking:
- Through brokerage firms;
- Through the company’s website.
To make a reservation, you need to fill in a special form with your data – the request will be confirmed by issuing a voucher.
