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Me and my brother are going on a roadtrip for 3 weeks in august to september. We are in our 20's and 30's. We will be visiting Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Gettysburg, Niagara Falls, Toronto(maybe) and New York. And I have questions.
We are both smokers. How acceptable is smoking in the US? Can you smoke in public? When walking on a sidewalk? Can you put it out anywhere? This might seem like silly questions, but in Sweden you can smoke almost anywhere and put it out anywhere and I don't want to offend Americans with my smoking or get fined.
As we are two guys. Will people think we are homosexual when we travel together? This might also be thought of as a silly question. But I don't want us to be mistaken for a gay couple. Although I have nothing against gay people.
Can you make u-turns in intersections? I have noticed when looking on streetview that in many places there is a barrier in the middle of the road in bigger roads, so lets say you want to go to a restaurant(or whatever) that is on the left side of the road, how do you get there when there is a barrier in the middle? Barriers in the middle of the road aren't common in sweden.
In movies set in America. I have noticed that many bars are set on the side of the road and people drive to the bar and drink. Is this acceptable in real life? In other words can you drink and drive? Offcourse I don't mean you can get completley drunk and drive... but a couple of beers and then get back in the car? They do this in american movies.
This is all the questions I have for now and I'd much appreciate answers. And yes I know some of them might seem silly but it's things that I have wondered about hehe.
I understand why you would think some of these things, as the media and some posters on this forum tend to distort reality. There are probably a lot of things that I think about Sweden that are also distorted.
Most states have banned indoor smoking in most commercial buildings, but smoking outdoors is legal as long as you're more than 50 feet (about 15 meters) away from an entrance to a government building. Most bars allow smoking.
Unless you and your brother like to make out with each other in public, I doubt that anyone would suspect that you two were a gay couple.
U-turns are allowed at intersections unless there is a no U-turrn sign, except for a few places in the country I doubt you'd be going to where U-turns are prohibited except in places where there are U-turn allowed signs. Usually, when there is a central barrier, the parking lots of the businesses on each side of the street are connected, or there is a break in the barrier for people to make left turns into the parking lot.
You are allowed to have a small amount of alcohol in your blood before you get to the limit of where you'd be charged with driving under the influence. This varies by state. It's often better to have a taxi or other mode of transportation back to where you're staying. When you are in the large cities, the busses run through the night.
I understand why you would think some of these things, as the media and some posters on this forum tend to distort reality. There are probably a lot of things that I think about Sweden that are also distorted.
Most states have banned indoor smoking in most commercial buildings, but smoking outdoors is legal as long as you're more than 50 feet (about 15 meters) away from an entrance to a government building. Most bars allow smoking.
Unless you and your brother like to make out with each other in public, I doubt that anyone would suspect that you two were a gay couple.
U-turns are allowed at intersections unless there is a no U-turrn sign, except for a few places in the country I doubt you'd be going to where U-turns are prohibited except in places where there are U-turn allowed signs. Usually, when there is a central barrier, the parking lots of the businesses on each side of the street are connected, or there is a break in the barrier for people to make left turns into the parking lot.
You are allowed to have a small amount of alcohol in your blood before you get to the limit of where you'd be charged with driving under the influence. This varies by state. It's often better to have a taxi or other mode of transportation back to where you're staying. When you are in the large cities, the busses run through the night.
I hope that you enjoy your trip.
I agree with most of this. However, smoking laws are different in different states. In most, if not all, of the states you plan to visit, smoking is NOT allowed in bars. You will have to step outside to smoke. Smoking is also not allowed in many parks in New York City. There will be signs indicating this, so just check before you smoke.
As dxd said, u-turns are allowed most places, unless signs tell you otherwise. Since you will be driving in New Jersey, it seems fair to warn you that on many NJ highways left turns or U-turns are made using small ramps called jughandles. As you approach a signalized intersection there will be a small white sign directing you to the ramp for "U AND LEFT TURNS." These are common in New Jersey but not common in other states.
You'll have more fun if you take a taxi to the bars than if you try to drive to the bars and back. Enforcement of drunk driving is very strict in the U.S. and the consequences for being arrested for drunk driving are severe. Do not risk it.
It looks like you guys have a good itinerary. It will be a lot of driving! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun!
Legally, you can have anything under a .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and be allowed to drive. Some places are different, but that's the norm.
A *general* tip in the US is there is a 2 drink minimum before you can't drive anymore. Of course this varies on a lot of things such as your weight, metabolism, how much alcohol is in the drink, and other things. Do not expect somebody to be able to have a breathalyzer at a bar to help you with this, it's not required in bars (some exceptions may apply). Also, a lot of people come to the USA and think it's okay to drink in public (outdoors) - it's usually not. And you can get arrested for being "Intoxicated in Public" as well, if you don't maintain a bit of respect to the... public
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Better yet, at most if not all of your destinations, book your hotels in right in downtown or close to public transportation/metro lines to place yourself in the most walkable areas and just not worry about having to drive anywhere if you go out for a drink. Some of these cities have different names for being right in town that it would be a good idea to book your hotel at, like the Inner Harbor area in Baltimore, and Center City Philadelphia. Most of NYC will be fine though Manhattan would be ideal if you can swing it, likewise in Washington if you're within the district or near a metro stop.
If you're going to Niagara Falls make sure you stay in and plan most of your activity on the Canadian side. It makes a big difference, most of the fun is on that side. If you're driving out all that way, you might as well make time for Toronto since you'll be in the area.
As to "drive in" type bars, yes we do have a lot of those around the country. It's difficult to explain since our drunk driving laws are so tough. Many have a restaurant combination so some will stop in for a drink or two while having a meal. Some will have a designated driver with them, some call a cab, and yes some just ignore the law completely and drink and drive. Fortunately the Northeastern cities are more conducive to having walkable areas giving you more options to park, stay, and walk.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 05-11-2015 at 07:33 AM..
Better yet, at most if not all of your destinations, book your hotels in right in downtown or close to public transportation/metro lines to place yourself in the most walkable areas and just not worry about driving anywhere if you go out for a drink. Some of these cities have different names for being right in town that it would be a good idea to book your hotel at, like the Inner Harbor area in Baltimore, and Center City Philadelphia. Most of NYC will be fine though Manhattan would be ideal if you can swing it, likewise in Washington if you're within the district or near a metro stop.
If you're going to Niagara Falls make sure you stay in and plan most of your activity on the Canadian side. It makes a big difference, most of the fun is on that side. If you're driving out all that way, you might as well make time for Toronto since you'll be in the area.
As to "drive in" type bars, yes we do have a lot of those around the country. It's difficult to explain since our drunk driving laws are so tough. Many have a restaurant combination so some will stop in for a drink or two while having a meal. Some will have a designated driver with them, some call a cab, and yes some just ignore the law completely and drink and drive. Fortunately the Northeastern cities are more conducive to having walkable areas giving you more options to park, stay, and walk.
You'll have more fun if you take a taxi to the bars than if you try to drive to the bars and back. Enforcement of drunk driving is very strict in the U.S. and the consequences for being arrested for drunk driving are severe. Do not risk it.
Not compared to where the OP is from. Sweden, and Europe in general, is much harsher on this.
Just a few FYI's
Most Rental Cars are Non/Smoking
Many/Most Hotels are Non/Smoking
And have HUGE Cleaning fees if they Think you smoked in them.
I would suggest get a vent Freshener Even if you don't smoke in them the smoke odor will be on your cloths, and they might be enough to trigger the Cleaning fees.
Another thing that I have wondered about is when driving on "country roads" (highways?) and you need to pee, can you just stop at the side of the road and relieve yourself behind some trees? In sweden, people do this all the time even though its illegal here but aslong as its in the "country" and nobody sees you, its okay. Is it like this in the US?
I know that in England, this is very much frowned upon and most people drive until they see a rest stop/restaurant or whatever to find a bathroom. But I think in the US theres much more wilderness, towns are further apart... you cant always hold yourself for that long.
Yes, in RURAL area, with no one around, few if any cars passing its "OK". Just make sure the "Hardware" is not visible from the road.
(Two lane roads, wood/farmland etc)
Any developed area its expected you find a bathroom. Most (Like every other) exit off a hi-way will have something @ the exit, a Gas Station, Fast Food place you can stop at, there are Information (Blue) signs on the hi-way about what is @ the next exit. Its a common courtesy to give where you stop some of your business. Get Gas there, Get a soda, snack etc.
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