What do I need to know about driving in the USA.

[chrisb]

Soon I'll be driving in the USA for the first time - what do I need to know?

So far -

- drive on the wrong side.
- most(?) places have turn right on red. Is this everywhere (except where signed)?
- when pulled over, do not get out.
- by default rentals have no insurance. I've got that sorted.


Anything else important?

 

[AV8]

Soon I'll be driving in the USA for the first time - what do I need to know?

So far -

- drive on the wrong side.
- most(?) places have turn right on red. Is this everywhere (except where signed)?
- when pulled over, do not get out.
- by default rentals have no insurance. I've got that sorted.


Anything else important?

Suggest you purchase (rather than hire) a sat nav with USA map (purchase from Best Buy etc in USA). I remind myself of a simple rule - BIG LEFT , LITTLE RIGHT turn.

 

[cove]

Short rights and long lefts.
Reset all the rear view mirrors.
No giving the bird to other motorists and no shouting obscenities.
Most gas stations need you to pay first.
If you are stopped by the traffic police wind down your window, get out your drivers licence,stay seated and as the armed officer approaches have your hands high up on the steering wheel so they can see them.
With accommodation stay in places where there is a front entry to get past. Because a lot of construction has combustible materials check where the fire exit is located in your hotel/motel.
The rest of the drive is all fun and with the interstates those roads are very good.

 

[chrisb]

Suggest you purchase (rather than hire) a sat nav with USA map (purchase from Best Buy etc in USA). I remind myself of a simple rule - BIG LEFT , LITTLE RIGHT turn.

I have Garmin on my phone so all good there.

 

[ronicat]

Stop signs may be on ALL roads at an intersection. First one to the stop sign goes first (or the bravest driver)
Traffic lights are often only on the far side of the intersection.
We purchased a US SIM card and navigated using maps on the ipad without any dramas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Adding a bit to others.

Gas stations with pre-pay. If using your cc at the pump, many times it will ask for your zip code (in US = 5 digits). Adding a leading zero to your 4 digit Aussie Post Code may work, but get used to the fact that mostly its easiest to go to the cashier, pre-authorise more than you think you'll need, pump the gas, then go back for receipt for actual amount used.

If hiring and doing a lot of driving, getting XM (satellite radio) might be worthwhile (extra cost - but first day is usually free and you can then elect to extend).

Check the spare for being OK, and that the tyre changing tools are all there. Basic, I know, but there has been a defect in one of these with my US/Canadian hires a number of times!

 

[cove]

Be aware of the AAA affiliation on your RAC card to score discounts. It is 397 on my RACWA card and helps your pricing for rooms and attractions. Should apply for NRMA and all of the Australian RAC organizations.

 

[tuapekastar]

A mantra I picked up here, "right is tight, left is loose". Also, there is (well, on the pump I used anyway) a button to push to ensure fuel flow.

 

[tgh]

The amber light doesn't last long..well not in canada anyway.
Almost everyone drove carefully and to the speed limit, but merging was survival of the "determindest"
Hardly worth the hassle to use a phone. you often need the voice calling the turns as you try to do ten (strange) things at once.
I have just done more than a thousand k in only a few days without one decent scare..
(although the doge ram driver did look a bit puzzled when I wheeled out of the hotel car park on the wrong side of the road to fuel up last night)

 

[Grooba]

A mantra I picked up here, "right is tight, left is loose". Also, there is (well, on the pump I used anyway) a button to push to ensure fuel flow.

Similar to what I learnt during my first trip over, "Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey".

Worked a charm.

 

[chrisb]

Is my 28 degrees card going to work in the gas pumps?

I've heard that the speeds on interstates are a little flexible. Am I going to be the slow one if I follow them?


Is right turn on red universal in USA and Canada? (Unless signed obviously)

 

[opusman]

I've driven in the US quite a few times and it was only recently in Hawaii I noticed that whenever an emergency vehicle comes up from behind, EVERYBODY pulls over. Not just slow down or move aside - they seemed to pull over and stop until it's gone past.

 

[ronicat]

Right turn on red does not apply in Manhattan

 

[Hvr]

Is my 28 degrees card going to work in the gas pumps?

I've heard that the speeds on interstates are a little flexible. Am I going to be the slow one if I follow them?


Is right turn on red universal in USA and Canada? (Unless signed obviously)

It depends, some states are very strict and others are more concerned about safe driving. For example the limit in Wyoming is 75 MP/H, the average speed was 85 MP/H with the police travelling along side and unconcerned.

I drove through Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota which is mainly country driving and found the highways very easy to drive on. Stay in the right hand lane and let everybody pass you if they want to.

Right turn on red, never did it unless it was sign posted and didn't have a problem.

Of course as you do your pre-departure inspection of your vehicle look for where the fuel cap is so you don't have a problem when driving into a petrol station.

Read the local signs, in Wyoming they have a law that if an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road you must slow down to a specific speed (40?). School buses stopping on either side of the road often require a stop as well.

Like tgh I did >1,000 miles in four days and it was only on my last night I went on the wrong side of the road as I entered my hotel after refueling.

Enjoy the driving and remain focussed and you'll be fine.

 

[tgh]

28 degrees card worked fine everywhere we went.
(posted from a very coughpy aa lounge in lax4 where we are cooling our heels for many many tedious hours)

 

[chrisb]

I swear there's a wiki about everything. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_turn_on_red

So all good in USA and Canada except NYC (which I have no intention of driving near)

 

[chrisb]

28 degrees card worked fine everywhere we went.
(posted from a very coughpy aa lounge in lax4 where we are cooling our heels for many many tedious hours)

In pumps? Any special tricks like postcode issues?

 

[tgh]

nope..but I did spend a fair bit of time sorting it out the first time, the card has to be flashed in and out quickly..so pick a quiet servo for your first refill...

 

[ashleyn]

You're not allowed to overtake a bus stopped at a bus stop. Might just be school busses but I think it could be all.

 

[cove]

I did 12,200 miles in a Hertz Toyota in a monthly hire. There is quite a lot to see in America. Basically if you drive for 6 hours you have all afternoon and night to enjoy your new location.