I’m back. I know I said I’d do more but what can I say, I’m a bad person.
That said, let’s get into part 2 of my road trips hints and tips. It’s more USA oriented.
When I left you, we’d just left the airport after picking up a car. Great! You’re on the open road so enjoy it.
The End!!
if only it were that easy…
There are a whole lot of other things to think about before you finally reach the end of the road and I’ll try to cover them all here.
Driving. I’m sure you are a safe and competent driver, but not everyone else is. So to avoid any problems with your hire car company or the police, follow these simple tips.
1. Check up beforehand on the local laws before you travel. This included speed limits, traffic signals and local customs. Which side of the road do they drive on? Do they have on-the-spot fines? The RAC have a site that details such things.
In the US you can usually turn right on a red provided it’s allowed and safe (Manhattan you cannot). If not allowed there will be signs. Also in the US, many states have a “Move over’ law that requires to you move over in an emergency vehicles is stopped on the (hard) shoulder or at least slow right down. If you see a school bus with its red lights flashing and the STOP signs extended, you must stop both behind and usually on an undivided road, in front too. You can be fined for both if you don’t.
There are far too many to list here, but one important one is speed limits. Always stick to the limit as some countries issue on-the-spot fines especially for tourists.
2. If you have an accident, be it a minor ‘fender bender’ or something more serious, your hire car company need to be informed so, a) you can get a new car and b) so the paperwork can be done and the car recovered as needed. Usually the police need to be informed and a report taken. Make sure you get a copy and the reference.
If serious and you are given any medical treatment either at the road side or at hospital, this is where your travel insurance company need to be informed too as you’ll be getting a bill.
Same if the car gets broken in toss the company need to get the car fixed.
None of the above should be taken as legal advice but more as a warning.
Now that’s out of the way, on to the things you are more likely to need to know.
Fuel. Make sure you know what fuel the car takes and the side of the filling cap. Top tip: Look at the fuel gauge on the dash and there will be an arrow on the little pump symbol that points to the side.
In the US, the vast majority of cars run on petrol or gas at they call it. Diesel is usually for commercial vehicles and some large pickups. In the UK, unleaded has green handles on the pump but in the US, that is for diesel, so be careful. If you do put the wrong fuel type in, unless you’ve paid for extra insurance, you are liable and won’t be cheap. If you do, DO NOT start the engine. You’ll make it worse. Inform the car company. Usually the tank can be drained and there will be no lasting damage. Start the engine or even just turn It over and you are looking at major work.
Petrol comes in 3 grades. Regular, plus and premium. Unless you’re told otherwise, regular is perfectly fine for most cars. Prices can vary wildly, even across the road so download Gas Buddy to your phone and you can see the prices. Avoid near airports as they put the price up to catch those returning cars. Florida even had to change the law to require prices to be displayed prominently after one station near Orlando airport charged twice the amount.
Gas is sold by US gallon which is 4/5ths of an imperial gallon.
Stations require pre-payment or a card. For cash, pull up to the pump, note the number, either go into the office/store or the window, say how much you want on what pump. Hand over the cash and return and start filling up. The pump will cutout when you reach the value or the tank is full. If you fill with less than the value you asked, go back to the desk and get your change. If there are two of you, one can go in and the other fills up. There are still a few full-service stations where staff will do everything but at a price premium.
You can use a credit card/ApplePay at the pump. When you do use a card and say, get $60 of gas, the card will have a reserve of $100 applied. It will come off when the total posts so bear in mind. There have also been reports of cards being cloned at pay-at-the-pump.
Personally I just use cash.
Stations are often convenience stores so you can get food, drinks and use the restrooms (cleanliness can massively vary…
On the interstates, look for truck stops such as CoPilot, Travel Plaza and the famous Buc-ee’s in Texas and surrounding states These are almost a destination in themselves. Huge, busy and with a vast selection of services including full-service restaurants. You can also get potent coffee to keep you going. Generally well maintained with very clean facilities.
OK, you’ve had a great day on the road and enjoyed the site. Time for some rest. What are your choices?
Firstly, DO NOT use rest areas to sleep. Usually it’s illegal and you’ll have the police waking you up issuing a ticket and/or telling you to move on. It’s also not safe.
Look at a hotel/motel for the night.
So what are your choices?
Hotels. The world is your oyster here. A vast array to choose from with prices and facilities to fit every pocket. Really helpful right? OK, lets put some meat on that very skinny bone.
Your choice is driven by two main options. Location and price.
Location is far more important. If you’re going from major city to major city, you could stay at luxury hotels every day or cheaper more modest options. The choice is yours.
Once you head out on the open road, the choice becomes harder. There will be no Four Season or Mandarin Oriental. There will be Garden Inn/Hampton Inn By Hilton. Springhill Suites/Courtyard By Marriott, and a plethora of others. These are usually located near the interstate at junctions so are easily reached. Facilities will usually include rooms with either king, queen or twin beds, family rooms, often a small pool/hot tub which can be lovely after a day driving. Sometime a restaurant attached or a short walk away, often a chain such as Applebees. Rooms will be basic but reasonably clean. Parking is usually free but city-centre ones can charge. Most will have a free breakfast that consists of pre-made hot items, cereals, bread/bagles/pastries and fruit. Nothing to standout but enough to get you going.
Many also have laundry facilities so you can clean clothes.
Unless money is no object, don’t waste it on luxury unless you plan on staying for a few days, but more on that later. That said, sometimes you can go for places like Homewood Suites or Home2 as they have a kitchen area too, so you can cook food yourself.
Motels. For many years these were the lifeblood of the road trip. Small, usually family-run, where you park outside your room, they provide a basic room for the night. For Route 66 there are some iconic motels such as the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM or the Wigwams of Holbrook AZ or San Bernardino CA. Sadly many closed down as tourists abandoned the route and COVID-19 nearly finished the rest off. But good news, a resurgence of interest (check out Randomland on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@justinscarred ) has seen many be updated and reopened to travellers.
Best bit, they are still locally owned so a stay helps the owners keep them open, updated and preserved. It also means employment for locals as maintenance or housekeeping.
That’s all for this post. Next time I’ll look at the actual days on the road.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please post them below.
Until then, stay safe and healthy. Treat others how you would like to be treated and have yourself a great day.
