Driving USA - tips

[opusman]

I've never driven a left hand drive car before... How easy is it to get used to driving on the other side?

I've found there are two main times that you're liable to get confused:

- If you're turning, if there are no other cars on the road you're turning into, it's often easy to end up on the wrong side of the road
- At a roundabout, if there are no other cars around, it's REALLY easy to go the wrong way

Otherwise it's really not that hard, other than remembering the wiper/indicator stalks are reversed.


After having driven quite a few times in the US I learnt something new the last time - people pull over if an emergency vehicle is coming up behind you!

 

[ronicat]

The other things we noticed is that there are not always traffic lights on both sides of the intersection. Stop signs May be on each of the intersecting roads. You give way to whoever has the lowest number (written on the sign) or whoever got there first.

 

[AdMEL]

Having driven half of approx. 10,000 miles over two trips with a mate, as others have mentioned, I found driving in the US much less stressful than driving in Oz. They're much less focused on speed and much more polite.

I was very apprehensive the first time, having never driven on the other side of the road and having to drive straight out of Hertz at SFO onto the freeway at 70 mph! But that was the easy part - driving in a Camaro with poor visibility (a Mack truck could hide in the three quarter blind spots!) and doing things like changing lanes in heavy traffic was the hard part. As others have also said, I found I occasionally wandered off to the right side of the road subconsciously, with my mate having to remind me I was too close to the edge of the road. But you do get used to it. It makes you concentrate and you realise that we drive without too much concentration! As for the indicators, I drive enough European cars in Oz (I rent, as I don't own a car), that them being on the other side is mostly not a problem. Again, just a little concentration. All driving was in automatics - whilst I prefer manual, I'm so out of practice, that it's probably better that way! Would love to drive a manual in Europe though!

 

[AdMEL]

The other things we noticed is that there are not always traffic lights on both sides of the intersection. Stop signs May be on each of the intersecting roads. You give way to whoever has the lowest number (written on the sign) or whoever got there first.

Good points! From my experience, Stop signs were always at all 4 points of a cross intersection, with the first there having right of way. Seemed to work well.

 

[BAM1748]

BAM, I'm going to raid your Flickr stream, you've got some amazing shots! I'm sure I'll pull some inspiration for the trip out of them as well.

Thanks again guys!
Nate

You're welcome, feel free to raid what you want, if you poke around there are plenty of road trip shots, summer as well. All of my trips up until 2005 I took only transparencies so not a lot of digital there.

Other people talking about heading over to the US makes me want to start planning another road trip there myself. Always great fun and lots of road side kitsch to see and photograph.

Matt
PS, all my winter (and summer) driving is in a regular 2wd rental car. I do by a set of chains at a servo for a $35 as back up and leave them in the car when I leave.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Take care with insurance on your rental.

Most travel insurance policies come with excess reduction only whilst Amex platinum only covers the vehicle you are driving.

US hire companies offer various insurances - check carefully - but if insurance is declined your excess cover does not apply !

Booked a car to use in LA in a few weeks and found the best value was by booking through the AVIS UK website, some 30-40%
cheaper than booking via Aus or USA, and included excess free insurance for the hire car and 3rd party damage.

Driven numerous times in US during winter and found the minute it snows snow plows and grit trucks are everywhere and roads cleared. Only once held up
for an hour when we arrived at a section of road not plowed when we arrived.

The recent drama down south was caused by snow falls in areas not normally effected. Up North in snow areas there seems to be little drama, if at all !

I have also purchased chains ( cable chains at major supermarkets for around $20 ) as it is common to have to carry chains but have never had to fit them,
including last Feb when it snowed constantly all the way from Aspen to Denver. (And as they are light weight I bring them home to add to the collection )

Front wheel drive seem to be the choice of most if you have a 2WD.

If snow is around stay on the main highways and you should not have any problems - and enjoy !

 

[ashleyn]

If you feel the need to indulge in so Aussie road rage, even giving the bird or tooting your horn in frustration, remember this sign I saw in the rear window of a pick up truck "Honk again, I'm just reloading"

 

[cove]

We are hearing more honking this time in California and that is without a gun buyback. I suggest all Aussie drivers display exemplary manners and keep out of east Los Angeles unless you are on a freeway.

 

[serfty]

The other things we noticed is that there are not always traffic lights on both sides of the intersection. Stop signs May be on each of the intersecting roads. You give way to whoever has the lowest number (written on the sign) or whoever got there first.

Good points! From my experience, Stop signs were always at all 4 points of a cross intersection, with the first there having right of way. Seemed to work well.

Not sure about the numbers on the posts, but if two cars arrive at the same time, I was told the one on the left gives way - i.e. you give way to cars entering on your right.

Also, Stopping is compulsory.

I simply treat them as roundabouts without the circle.

 

[bass_ke]

Bam, Did you one way a car out of Denver on your winter 2013 trip? I'm currently looking at one way options LAS - DEN. Via Durango, Silverton and Grand Junction look's amazing!

 

[BAM1748]

Bam, Did you one way a car out of Denver on your winter 2013 trip? I'm currently looking at one way options LAS - DEN. Via Durango, Silverton and Grand Junction look's amazing!

This particular trip, actually hired it out of Boise Idaho, drove south then across Soldier Summit to Glenwood Springs, straight down the centre then to Montrose, Silverton, Durango (make sure you ride the DSNGRR winter train to Cascade Canyon) then back to Boise via Mesa Verde and Arches NPs.

Matt
PS, Grand Junction should just be a stop over place, think of Dubbo. (with apologies to Dubboites)

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

This particular trip, actually hired it out of Boise Idaho, drove south then across Soldier Summit to Glenwood Springs, straight down the centre then to Montrose, Silverton, Durango (make sure you ride the DSNGRR winter train to Cascade Canyon) then back to Boise via Mesa Verde and Arches NPs.

Matt
PS, Grand Junction should just be a stop over place, think of Dubbo. (with apologies to Dubboites)

if you are in this part of the world Leadville is worth a look old historic mining town with the highest airport in the US, particularly if Independence pass is open to Aspen, again one of the highest passes at about 12,000 feet - a spectacular drive.
Good sealed road normally closes sometime in November due snow.

 

[BAM1748]

if you are in this part of the world Leadville is worth a look old historic mining town with the highest airport in the US, particularly if Independence pass is open to Aspen, again one of the highest passes at about 12,000 feet - a spectacular drive.
Good sealed road normally closes sometime in November due snow.

Something like this
High Point | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[cove]

Put in the address you are going to in your GPS before you get on the freeway or interstate highway.

 

[mozerz]

Put in the address you are going to in your GPS before you get on the freeway or interstate highway.

I second that and I would look at the different possible itineraries on google maps on a computer if possible in case of traffic