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Hi there,
Im new to this forum and i havent seen if there is any topic already open with this kind of thread.
Im planning a little road trip this august through the States but i have no idea of the implications that this project has.
it will be me and a friend, who loooooves driving, and the only obligation we have is to go at some point for a few days in Lake Tahoe (actually Gardnerville to be more acurate).
we d love to visit the west coast even the northern side and/or maybe drive to New York (form where we could fly back to Paris).
I like to know if any of you have any suggestions on which places are a "must" to see and which roads are more pleasant, especially landscape wise, to drive.
So far I ve seen a little bit of Nevada(except Las Vegas), San Francisco and New York but my friend nothing.
one last question, what does it take to rent a car, we are both over 25 and have a driving licence of course. I mean are there special things to know when you're not american?
This is a heavy duty trip you and your friend want to do. To make planning more bearable, you and your friend should first decide which states are a must-see. Also, do you want to stay in one region of the U.S. or go from West to East?
For scenic drives, I suggest you drive California's PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). The drive is relaxing and offers great views of the Pacific Ocean! Plus, if you/your friend get the sudden urge to be beach bums, you've got plenty of beach towns to choose from.
Another drive is into Las Vegas at night. Though this drive will be pretty boring for most of the time, seeing the Strip lit up at night worth it. Plus, life in Sin City doesn't start until after dark anyway. If you decide on this drive, keep a look out for the Luxor's "beam" (I think it can be seen from outerspace).
Another suggestion is Grand Canyon.
Regarding car rental. You'll only need a credit card and valid drivers's license. If you're working with a large company, see if your company has some sort of discount program with an American car rental company. Probably not but it's worth a try. Also, check if your driver's insurance in your country can apply in the U.S. If not, GET INSURANCE. It's an annoying additional fee but you never know.
Your question is much too broad. Most Europeans have no real idea about the driving distance between places in the U.S.. So you have to tell us how much time you have, identify a region you want to drive around in (the answer to your first question on time will help you in the second) and a general course. Really, you have to do that yourself, then come back to us for suggestions.
If driving cross country, plot a course and places and sites on that course that you would like to see. You can't zip from the northern states to the southern states on a cross country course unless you have months to spend. A leasurely cross country trip, with 5 or 6 stops of a few days each on the trip, will take you about 3 weeks (or, of course, you can drive cross country easily and quickly in 4 days of boring interstate travel where you will see nothing but exxon stations, Super 8's, and McDonald's - not much of a vacation).
Rental car is easy with credit cards and probably your European license but be aware that you can't usually pick up at one location and drop off at another without outragious fees. Sometimes you can find exceptions however.
Hi there,
Im new to this forum and i havent seen if there is any topic already open with this kind of thread.
Im planning a little road trip this august through the States but i have no idea of the implications that this project has.
it will be me and a friend, who loooooves driving, and the only obligation we have is to go at some point for a few days in Lake Tahoe (actually Gardnerville to be more acurate).
we d love to visit the west coast even the northern side and/or maybe drive to New York (form where we could fly back to Paris).
I like to know if any of you have any suggestions on which places are a "must" to see and which roads are more pleasant, especially landscape wise, to drive.
So far I ve seen a little bit of Nevada(except Las Vegas), San Francisco and New York but my friend nothing.
one last question, what does it take to rent a car, we are both over 25 and have a driving licence of course. I mean are there special things to know when you're not american?
Thank you in advance for your answers!!!
Some rental car companies require you to have Major Credit card, if you have full coverage insurance you won't need to buy theirs, Find out if you need to drop off the car at another location, that may be extra
Since your plans pretty much include both the East coast (New York) and West coast (Tahoe area), you are talking about quite a trip. If the trip is one-way, be sure to use one of our national car rental companies, so drop-off across the country wouldn't be so much of a problem. It would be impossible with a regional company.
On the West coast, besides Lake Tahoe, you might want to take in Yosemite National Park. It's not very far from Tahoe, and is worth the trip. Las Vegas is usually very hot in August, so unless you would be heartbroken not to see it, I'd recommend skipping it this time around. Reno has many of the same things (Casinos, Bright Lights, Shows, Restaurants) on a smaller scale, but is much closer to your destination, and much more comfortable that time of year.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming are worth seeing, and are not too far out of the way when traveling from Reno to New York. A bit further east, is the Devil's Tower National Monument. This is on the eastern side of Wyoming, not far from Interstate 90. Also, nearby, in the Black Hills of South Dakota is Mt. Rushmore. This is worth seeing if you are anywhere near that area. Badlands National Park is not far from there, and may be worth your while, too, though I can't say as I have yet to go there.
East of there, I can't give many recommendations, though I've heard some of the area around the Great Lakes is beautiful and worth you while. Once you reach New York State, you can head up to Niagara Falls on the U.S./Canada border. Then you can head across the state to NYC.
These are just a few of the landmarks along the way, should you decide to drive across the U.S. These suggestions are based on taking a somewhat northern route. There are a lot of other things to see if you take a central or southern route. These suggestions are not meant to be any sort of itinerary, but are intended to provide some information on things along the way that might spark your interest.
It would be a good idea to identify the key places you would like to see, then plan your route around those places. If you were going to stay closer to the West coast, then you might want to see sights in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. There are plenty to be seen in those states, but this may not be in your plans since you mentioned New York.
I live on the West coast, and have taken many road trips over the years. So far, I've only traveled as far East as Kansas, and have a lot more to see. There is no way I could plan a trip to see everything I want to see in a single trip, so I make my plans based on a destination I plan to visit. I then try to see the interesting places along the way there and the way back. I take a different route for the return trip, so the sights are different. If you decide you want to plan a trip like that, and stay closer to the West coast, I would be glad to share the information I have about places to see in the area in which you will be traveling.
The United States is 3000 miles wide and 1600-2000 deep from coast to coast. Most highways are free but some are not. You do not want to drive through the moutains in the winter. It is not smart to try to drive through the Grand Canyon with a camper. It's dangerous. There is only two routes that drive from coast to coast East to West. Where you deplane will dictate where you go and what you see, unless...., unless you travel one road West and return on he other road East. If it was me, I would land in Miami, go to CA., and travel back to leave New York to Paris.
If you really want to see America from some place besides an Interstate Highway you,ll wat to stay a month. From Niagra Falls in New York to the Pacific Ocean there is a lot to see an experience including the major ciities: Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC and New York City but you cannot leave NY until you see Niagra Falls. And maybe you even want to go to Maine for lobster, or even into Nova Scotia or Canada, or Mexico while you have the opportunity. If you want to spend a couple of days in Canada, the driver around Lake Michican is beautiful. You can enter from Minnesota side and exit in Micigan or vice versa. .
You will need a passport, drivers license, birth certificate. You'll need health and car insurane for every country you drive in American innsurance companies suggest you buy insurance while you visit each country. A lot of whether our do or do not depends upon the country and whether or not the countries involved have reciprical agreements.
I have no idea how health innsurance works between countries. Do not carry large amounts of cash where anyone can see it at any time. You should be able to cash travelers checks from your bank in Paris at any bank in America. If you travel smart you will have a wonderful time. And lots of memories to take home.
Some of the tourist sights I am famiar with are Smokey Mountains, Grand Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon (Little Grand Canyon in Texas), White Sands in New Mexico, Hoover Dam. Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Farncisco, Black Hills, Smithsonian Institution, White House and Lincoln Memorial in DC, Boston Baked Beans and Boston Clam Chowder in Boston, the Space Needle in Seattle, Museum of Science and Industry, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, Shed Aquarium and the Great Ape House at Lincoln Park in Chicago, The Alamo in Texas, Central Park, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, UN Building, Board fo Trade, Diamond district, Fulton Street. Staten Island Ferry, Park Avenue, Trump Tower, and the New York Stock Exchange in New York City to name a few. I am absolutely sure I have missed a few spots. You can waste a day and pan for real diamonds in Arkansas. Its a state park.
Drink bottled water. Not because American water is unsafe. It is not. Water is different from city to city and state to state. A name brand boittled water like Aquafina is the same from coast to coast. And definately drink bottled in Mexico. You do not want a case of Montezuma's Revenge while you travel. A teaspoon of Nutmeg (ground) will stop it. Take it in water, tea, milk. Whatever it takes to get it into your stomach. It is a common spice sold in every grocery store in America. A little can will last a long time.
If you know where you are going you can book motels coast to coast and back The more nights you stay at one, the better the discount. I personally prefer Best Western. It is moderately priced and the room are generally larger. Plus BW is usually located near a restaurant. and or tourist attractions.
If you have the time, some of America's prettiest country is in the midwest. The byways are less crowded, slower paced and you can stop at any time to take pictures. Inn Of The Mountain Gods in New Mexico is one of the prettiest places I've ever been. It's on the way to White Sands. some of the native churches in the southwest are ancient an still in service.
Even if you spend six weeks in America there will be something you wished you had stopped to see.
Last edited by linicx; 02-17-2009 at 01:59 AM..
Reason: edit
It does depend on what you want. I always recommend the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Or, you could take a wine tasting tour in Napa Valley, California. In the U.S., Traveler's Cheques are often counterfeit and as such, people resist accepting them. Carry cash, usually nothing larger than a $50 bill, enough to last a few days. The rest can be in traveler's cheques to be cashed at a bank, but U.S. banks keep very unusual hours. Exchanging Euros may be tough in a bank other than in a major city like New York so, depending on where you land, you may want to exchange before you leave. Let relatives know exactly what your schedule is and where you'll be all the time. Most places are safe but, our economy is bad and many people are resorting to scamming tourists to make money. Soyez bienvenus aux États-Unis
thank you so very much for all these replies, i need to organize myself... i ll take the most information out of what you ve written and make a schedule. i ll let you know and post the pictures if it happens xxxx Stefania
Leaving from the NYC area I went on a 10,000 mi cross country trip a few yrs back and started by studying an atlas and getting state tourist guides for free.
Must see is Grand Canyon, Yellowstone park or at least Yosemite park. The Pacific Coast highway alongthe California coast is a spectacular drive and you'll come across The Hearst Mansion (among other things) on your way up to San Francisco. I highly recomend studying your atlas and taking secondary hghways that perhaps parallel the interstates so you have options.
Out of New york city in the summer I'd probably stop at the New Jersey Shore at either Seaside Heights or Wildwood + Cape May and then go on to Wash DC. From there you could head west (1 hr drive) over to the Shenandoah mountains and take the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway (one of the best scenic drives in the US) down to the Great Smokie Mountain region of Tennesee where dolly parton/country music/ southern culture rules and head west through Nashville and then Memphis (elvis presley, Martin luther king museum, birthplace of rock + roll, Mississippi river). Perhaps head to Dallas TX from there and through Sante Fe NM and over to the Grand Canyon and then out to California. If you can going north to Seattle/Pacific northwest is worth it and east to Glacier park (rocky mountains) and down to Yellowstone park. Coming back east you could stop at Mt Rushmore and then head to Chicago and perhaps Niagra falls on the way back to new york city. Right there you'll cover many distinct areas of the US such as NYC and the Jersey Shore, Apalachian mountains, the Southwest Dessrt, Pacific Coast, the Pacific northwest, Rocky Mountains, Plains states, and the Midwest.
My trip of a lifetime looked similar to that and pm me if you want more ideas or details,
I would suggest you not drive all over the United States. The distances are too vast and frankly your time is limited. If this is your first visit here then I would suggest you visit a travel agent in France and purchase an escorted type tour of a specific region of the country. For example, you fly from Paris to San Francisco and let a guide show you all of the sights throughout the western states such as Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Yellowstone, Colorado Springs, Grand Canyon and ending in Los Angeles where you will fly back to Paris. If you prefer the east coast fly to Washington DC, visit NYC and maybe Florida, etc. There are many itineraries to select. The next time you come back then rent a car and visit those areas that were the most special to you.
The trip will be a lot more fun. I would suggest a company called Globus Tours. If you are younger they have tours designed for under 35 year olds!
Enjoy your stay here!!
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