A road trip in USA is a dream for many – endless highways, spectacular landscapes, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. But driving in USA differs in several ways from other countries. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know for a safe and memorable trip.
📑 Contents
1. Before you go – preparations
Driving License
Your home country license is valid in USA, but we strongly recommend getting an International Driving Permit (IDP). It provides extra security – both for car rental and if you're stopped by police.
ESTA (for visa-waiver countries)
Don't forget to apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) at least 72 hours before departure if you're from a visa-waiver country. Without ESTA, you cannot travel to USA.
Credit Card
A credit card is practically required to rent a car in USA. The deposit is often $200-500 and most companies don't accept debit cards for this.
💡 Packing list for the road trip
- Passport and ESTA confirmation
- Driving license + international driving permit
- Credit card
- Booking confirmation
- Phone holder for GPS
- Sunglasses (strong sunlight!)
2. Traffic rules that differ
The basics are the same – right-hand traffic, traffic lights, crosswalks – but there are important differences:
🔴 Right turn on red
In most states, you can turn right at a red light after stopping and checking that it's clear. This does not apply if a sign says "No Turn On Red". In New York City, it's prohibited everywhere unless a sign says it's allowed.
🛑 4-Way Stop
At intersections with STOP signs in all directions, "first come, first served" applies. Whoever stopped first goes first. If you stop at the same time, the car on the right has priority. Wave to show you're letting someone through – Americans are used to this.
🚌 School buses
When a school bus stops and extends its stop sign, ALL traffic must stop – including oncoming cars on the opposite side of the road. Wait until the bus turns off the red lights and retracts the sign. Fines for passing are very high.
🚗 Overtaking
In USA, it's allowed to pass on both left and right on highways. This can feel unfamiliar, so be extra attentive in your mirrors!
🚙 Carpool/HOV lanes
Many highways have special lanes for "High Occupancy Vehicles" – cars with 2+ passengers. They're marked with a diamond symbol (◇). Don't drive in these if you're alone – fines are high ($400+).
🚶 Pedestrians
Pedestrians have strong rights in USA. Always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks – even when they're just standing and waiting at the curb.
3. Speed limits
Speed limits in USA vary by state. Limits are posted in mph (miles per hour):
| Road type | Typical limit | In km/h |
|---|---|---|
| Urban areas | 25-35 mph | 40-55 km/h |
| Rural roads | 45-55 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Interstate highways | 65-80 mph | 105-130 km/h |
| Texas (some roads) | Up to 85 mph | 137 km/h |
💡 Quick conversion
mph × 1.6 = km/h. So 65 mph ≈ 104 km/h.
4. If stopped by police
⚠️ Very important
American police can be nervous during traffic stops. Follow these rules to avoid misunderstandings:
- Pull over to the right as soon as safely possible when you see flashing lights
- Turn off the engine and stay in the car
- Keep hands visible – preferably on the steering wheel
- Don't reach for anything until the officer asks you to
- Be polite – say "Yes, officer" / "No, officer"
- Explain calmly if you need to reach into the glove compartment for documents
5. Renting a car in USA
USA is a great country for rental cars with competitive prices and excellent roads.
Popular pickup locations
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Gateway to California coast
- San Francisco (SFO) – Start of Pacific Coast Highway
- Las Vegas (LAS) – Perfect for desert road trips
- Miami (MIA) – Florida Keys and beaches
- New York (JFK/EWR) – East coast exploration
Car categories
| Category | Examples | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic | 2-3 people |
| Midsize | Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima | 3-4 people, road trips |
| Full-size | Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus | 4-5 people, lots of luggage |
| SUV | Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer | Families, national parks |
| Minivan | Dodge Grand Caravan | Large groups, lots of luggage |
6. Insurance in USA
American insurance terms can be confusing. Here are the most common:
- LDW/CDW (Loss/Collision Damage Waiver): Covers damage to rental car
- SLI/ALI (Supplemental/Additional Liability Insurance): Extended liability coverage for damage you cause to others
- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance): Accident insurance for you and passengers
- PEC (Personal Effects Coverage): Protection for belongings in the car
💡 Our tip
Buy Full Coverage when you book through us. It's cheaper than at the counter and covers most things. Then you just need to decline everything they offer in USA.
⚠️ Important about liability
Basic insurance in USA often has low limits for liability coverage. In a country where lawsuits can result in enormous damages, it may be worth considering extra SLI coverage if you don't have Full Coverage.
7. Practical tips for your USA trip
Fueling
- Called "gas" or "gasoline" – not petrol
- Measured in gallons (1 gallon ≈ 3.8 liters)
- Much cheaper than Europe – often around $3-4 per gallon
- At the pump, you often pay before fueling, or swipe your card at the machine
- Foreign cards may have issues – select "credit" and skip ZIP code, or pay inside
Tolls
- Many highways have tolls, especially in eastern USA
- Some are electronic (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak) – ask rental company if they offer a transponder
- Have cash or coins for manual tolls
- Rental companies may charge an admin fee for tolls afterward
Parking
- Read signs carefully – parking rules vary greatly
- Red curb = no parking
- Never park in front of a fire hydrant
- Use apps like SpotHero or ParkMobile in cities
Navigation
- Google Maps and Apple Maps work excellently
- Download offline maps for areas with poor coverage (national parks, desert)
- Avoid renting GPS from rental company – it costs $10-15/day
8. Popular road trip states
USA is gigantic and each state has its own character, traffic rules, and driving style. Here are the most popular states for road trips:
🌴 California
Highlights: Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of the world's most beautiful roads. Also Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree national parks.
Driving: Speed limit 65-70 mph on highways. Traffic in LA and San Francisco can be intense during rush hour.
🏜️ Arizona
Highlights: Grand Canyon is the must-see, but don't miss Sedona with its red rocks, Monument Valley, and the charming desert town of Tucson.
Driving: Highway speed limit 75 mph. Large distances between towns – make sure to fuel up before heading into the desert.
🎰 Nevada
Highlights: Las Vegas is the main attraction, but Nevada also offers Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, and parts of the classic Route 66.
Driving: Speed limit can be as high as 80 mph on some roads – Nevada has some of USA's highest speeds.
🌲 Utah
Highlights: Utah is called "The Mighty 5" thanks to its five spectacular national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.
Driving: Roads through the national parks are fantastic. Speed limit 75-80 mph on highways.
Summary
Driving in USA is a fantastic experience – here's the most important to remember:
- License: Your license is valid, but get an IDP for safety
- Right turn on red: Allowed after stop (except where sign prohibits)
- 4-Way Stop: First come, first served principle
- School buses: ALWAYS stop when they have red lights
- Police stop: Stay in car, hands on wheel
- Speed: mph × 1.6 = km/h
- Insurance: Buy Full Coverage through us
- Gas: Cheap! Measured in gallons
With these tips, you're ready for an unforgettable American road trip. Good luck!
