One of the big differences between Australia and the USA is evident when you look at a map of the major roads for each country. Australia has a road going around it plus one up the middle, America has a vast network of roads right across the country with just a few exceptions where natural barriers such as the Rockies and Nevada deserts limit options. This means the road traveller has a wide variety of choices when developing an itinerary. America has a land area similar to that of Australia so expect to cover quite a few miles. For example a trip covering the western states from California to Alberta and across to Colorado will require around 9000 to 10,000 miles to do it justice. This would need around 8 weeks of steady travel allowing reasonable length stops at a number of attractions. It is better to cover a small area well than to race from point to point just glancing at places almost as you drive past. Whatever you may have planned to visit you will find there are many more places to see which you will not want to miss so allow some spare time for this. By the way, if you have a Seniors Card from Australia you should always check for Seniors prices for accommodation. menus, entry and the like.
Travelling by road is very easy once you have adapted to the opposite side of the road and left hand drive. The road system is well marked with route numbers being used mostly for giving directions. These numbers are well structured and very easy to follow. Generally motorists are courteous and will allow you to move into lanes on freeways etc. when you signal. Road surfaces are good.
You will find your time in the USA very rewarding providing you regard the differences as new experiences to be enjoyed. Americans are very hospitable and appreciate the fact that you have come a long way to see their country, of which they are rightly very proud.
Road system
Road numbering in the USA is very logical and the basic rule is that odd-numbered roads generally run North-South and even-numbered roads run East-West. Sometimes this is not obvious when you look at a short section of road but becomes clear when you look at a longer section.
When deciding your route you need to consider whether you to take the quickest, shortest (distance!) or most scenic. They are usually different. Most good maps will mark the scenic routes and you have to consider that the shortest distance my be through very slow, windy and narrow roads whilst the longer distance may be a quicker drive.
Driving on the RHS of the road can be quite daunting at first and it is essential that you concentrate hard for the first few days. It is helpful if you are being driven by someone else for a while before driving yourself as this gets you familiar with being on the RHS of the road even if not in the driving seat. Usually you adapt quickly when you are driving along highways where you do not have to make many manouvres but when you have to make turns etc. you need to keep your wits about you. You will also find that initially, when you start off on a new day of driving, you may slip into your LHS habits unless you concentrate hard so take that extra bit of care when you start out each day. After a week or so you will find it becomes second nature. The most common problem initially is that you will look out of the left side of the car when trying to look in the rear view mirror!
Freeway travel is fast and most drivers routinely exceed the speed limit by 10 to 15 m.p.h. Speed limits vary considerably between states so look out when you cross state borders. Signage is generally very good and exit numbering is excellent in that the numbers refer to the distance from a given point rather than just sequential numbers. This makes it much easier to calculate how far it is to your desired exit and is something which could be usefully adopted in Australia and elsewhere.
Your time of travel will dictate the traffic density but it will often get quite slow and even stationary near large cities, otherwise it is usually significantly higher than most Australians experience. As you get closer to cities the number of lanes may expand to as many as 6 each way with lots of exit and entry ramps. If you are staying on the freeway you can usually find a lane which will take you through the city area with minimum encounters with exiting and entering traffic but be prepared for delays.
In many areas summer is the only time that roadworks can be carried out so you will experience delays from waiting at controlled sections of road. These can be quite long sections and you will often find that when it is your turn to go you will be led through by a works vehicle.
Speed limits
As mentioned above freeway speed limits vary considerably from state to state. On other roads there is a general set of rules which apply depending on the type of road. Some have limits as low as 45 m.p.h. Generally limits are well sign posted but not infrequently whilst the entry to a built up area is marked the exit may not be and you have to make your own judgement about when you can get back up to highway speeds. This sometimes happens at roadworks too where speeds will often be as low as 15 m.p.h. It is quite common for the local authority or police to station a radar unit just past the entry limit sign. This has your speed indicated in large numbers and reminds you graphically of your obligations!
Accommodation
There are comprehensive accommodation options and you can usually find something to suit your budget although in the high season you may have to look around quite a bit if you have not booked. On crossing a state border via a main route there is almost always and information centre where you can get excellent information on accommodation and attractions including the State forest campgrounds and National Parks.
Campgrounds vary considerably in quality and price and State Forests are often very good. They are usually a fair bit cheaper than private grounds but will not have the range of facilities. They are often in beautiful scenic areas. Many, however, do not have showers but all will have at least long-drop toilets with an outside tap. You will find that tent sites are only marginally cheaper than a full RV hookup (which includes a large site, water, electricity and sewage connections) so tenting does not necessarily mean cheaper accommodation costs and the services provided can be minimal. Usually a site will have a timber table and seats.
Motels can be as low as $US25 (plus tax!), quite basic but usually clean. At that price you will not always get the option of a non-smoking room. Some of the chains will provide a 'club' status at a small administration charge which then gives typically 10% discount. It also allows for simpler 'book-aheads'.
Hotels are the most expensive option and there is virtually no upper limit apart from your budget. The more you pay the more you get in terms of luxury, location, facilities and services. If you are just looking for an overnight stop this is not the best option.
Modes of road travel, vehicle hire/purchase
Your choice of travel mode will be dictated by what you want to do. If you want the freedom to change your itinerary as you travel then a selfdrive vehicle is probably best. These range from an economy sedan to a gigantic 'fifth-wheel' which is like an articulated caravan unit. These can get up to 50 plus feet long and weigh 20,000 pounds or more. It is interesting that in the USA you do not require a special license to drive one of these units. Consequently there are many of these on the roads during Summer along with conventional towed caravans, truck-campers and the like. Another form of travel/accommodation is the converted bus. These can be 40 feet long and fitted out in great luxury and usually tow a fair size car for local running around. Incidentally they can cost up to $US750,000!
Costs of hire vary with the unit type and size and it is often worth booking before leaving Australia, especially as travel agents will often give you the benefit of their wholesale pricing.
When hiring for a long period or with the knowledge that you will be covering many miles it is wise to check on when the next service is due. Usually the hire company will offer you another vehicle if yours requires a service but this is not much good if you are 500 miles from a depot or you have to drive a long way off your itinerary.
Increasingly you will be offered the option of purchasing the first tank of fuel which means you are able to return the vehicle with an empty tank. The alternative is to return with a full tank or, if it is not full, you will be required to pay for it to be topped up at a highly inflated per gallon price. Usually there is no problem filling up just before returning the vehicle and this is really the best option. If you purchase the first tank any fuel left in there is yours and you do not get a refund!. Thus you have to try to judge getting back to the depot as close to empty as you can which can be quite tricky.
Note that some hire companies limit where you can take their vehicles. Almost all prohibit venturing into Mexico, some do not allow Canada and some limit you to the state of hire so check this if you plan to cover a lot of ground.
When hiring check the insurance as some states require supplementary cover to that normally provided by the hire company. Check your travel insurance too as often it will pay for the excess and provide personal liability cover which will satisfy the state's requirements.
Round trips, where you return the vehicle to the place where you picked it up, are usually cheaper. There can be as much as 10% difference in price between picking up at an airport and downtown.
Purchasing a vehicle is an option which can be fraught with problems and should be thoroughly checked out before making any commitment. It is probably only viable for long periods because of the costs of purchase and resale. Additionally the cost of full insurance is exorbitant for overseas people.
Borrowing a vehicle can be good for shorter stays but insurance companies will usually baulk if the loan is more than 30 days.
Fuel (gasoline) is readily available and it is not generally necessary to carry any cans of fuel unless you are going off road. There will usually be at least three grades available. Use the lowest grade your vehicle can stand and take care when about to cross a state border as, for example, when crossing from California to Oregon, the price will drop around 30 cents a gallon due to difference in tax levels!
Time to travel
Weather, the number of people around, costs of accommodation and entry into attractions will vary with time of travel. Check the likely weather very carefully in the areas in which you will be travelling as this can very much affect conditions such as mountain passes at surprising times. If you are travelling north-south or vice versa you will need to make sure you go to the cooler, northern part of your itinerary first if you are travelling late in the season or the reverse if you are travelling early. Keep in mind that the southern desert areas can stay very hot quite late in the year. For example Phoenix, Arizona can get into the 90's in November!
June through August are the peak Summer months and you will feel that all of America is on the road with you. The advantage is that all of the attractions will be available. After the long weekend in early September things start shutting down for winter. The advantage is that those attractions remaining open will often be cheaper. It is noticeable that after the long weekend the number of people drops off significantly but most noticeable is the disappearance of the children as this appears to be when the retirees take their holidays!
Scenery
The USA has an abundance of outstanding scenery to suit virtually all tastes. Destert roads are rarely boring if you read up about the area first. The mountains are just spectacular and it is not difficult to get 'mountained out' so it is best to plan your itinerary to vary the scenery. Even in midsummer you can you visit glaciers where you the temperatures will require warm clothing to be warm. Much of the USA coastline is very beautiful and there is a multitude of magnificent lakes some of which are very large. It is well worth driving most of the time on 2 lane roads as these are more leisurely and take you through beautiful areas and lots of interesting small but historic towns. You will get lots more out of these if you read up on them first.
Attractions
Not surprisingly tourism is a major industry in the USA for both the Government and private operators. The State and National areas are well set up and usually reasonably priced. They range from simply scenic forest drives to very large establishments such as Yellowstone National Park. Many of the Government areas record their history including many on the native people. It is impossible to list the many attractions here but be prepared for many more than you expected and a vast variety.
Private operators tend to provide attractions which have more commercial potential and the cost is usually higher for obvious reasons. There are many excellent private attractions ranging from very large show gardens to cave complexes and local township attractions.
Entry costs to attractions, etc.
Most attractions, whether they are state, national or privately owned, will have an entry charge. This will range up to $US10. If you are planning to visit a lot of National Parks and Monuments which cost typically $US10 each vehicle it may be worth buying a Golden Eagle Pass for $US50 which will give you, your vehicle and passengers unlimited entry for one year. This seems to be the only concession available to foreigners.
Senior concessions are often available for entry and for public transport so it is always worth asking. Qualification as a Senior varies quite a bit and can be as low as 55 years old up to 65 years and being a foreigner does not seem to affect this.
Shopping
The USA certainly caters for shoppers. Venues range from speciality shops to giant malls. Factory outlets are very popular and are available at a number of locations. Usually they are set up with as many as 150+ shops at the one location so it is easy to spend a whole day browsing. They seem frequently to be outside the main population areas so you will usually have a bit of a drive to get to them. Careful shoppers will find some excellent bargains here often at a third to half the Australian price. Some specials are considerably cheaper. Clothing is probably the best buy at the outlets. Check clothing sizes carefully as XL in Australia may mean M in the USA! It is best to try items on. If buying as presents it would probably help to take a couple of measurements of the people concerned.
When buying videos make sure they are PAL system videos, not the USA NTSC system unless you are sure your Australian VCR will play NTSC. Similarly camcorders on sale will usually be NTSC although some shops can supply PAL units. CDs and audio tapes are not a problem. When purchasing computer software 'bargains' make sure they will run on your software platform. For example some Windows 95 software will not run on Windows 98.
Remember too that the USA electrical system is 110 volts, 60 Hz so electrical appliances will not work in Australia unless they are dual voltage items.
Eating
Eating in the USA is a somewhat different experience for most Australians. The range of food is vast, especially fast food. Similarly the range of quality is quite wide although it would be unusual to get a really bad meal. The cost of eating does not have to be much more than in Australia if you are prepared to keep out of formal restaurants. For example a sandwich would range from $US3 to $US6 which may seem expensive until you see what you get. It is usually presented on your choice of bread, is large and had a great deal of filling unlike the paper thin ham etc which is the usual filling in Australia. The price usually includes a salad or chips (crisps!) and is frequently big enough to provide lunch for two people. Coffee ranges from 50c to $US1.25 or so and is equal to about three of our cups and is often a bottomless cup. Beware however of the quality as it is very variable and cheap coffee can be quite weak. The established coffee houses are usually good but a bit more expensive. Any espresso coffee is typically 2 or 3 times the price of 'regular' filter coffee and do not expect lots of froth on your cappuccino. There are of course many other cheap eating options that parallel the sandwich described above in terms of value and nutrition. Usually it is quite easy to take your own breakfast unless you like a full cooked meal. Evening meals can be reasonably priced in the large chain restaurants and diners with ethnic food, especially Asian and Mexican, probably being the best value. Seniors meals are often available and are a bit smaller and cheaper and you do not have to be a Senior to order them.
Tipping
Most people working in the hospitality industry are getting the minimum basic wage of around $US5 an hour (at this time) so they rely on tips to get a living wage. Typically 15% of the bill is the norm but, as it is a reward for service, if you believe you not get good service this can reduce even to the extent of no tip although if this was the case the poor service should be explained. Tipping for other services such as porterage is expected at airports and hotels and would range from 50c to $US1 a bag. Some tour guides expect tips and the rules vary considerably here and depend on the length of the tour, the level of service provided etc.
The people
The USA is a polyglot society similar to Australia and the people are generally very friendly and respond to a smile and a friendly approach. When they find out you are Australian they will frequently tell you they have always wanted to visit Australia, they have a friend or relation there or they have been there and love it and will take the time to talk.
Methods of payment
Credit card use for payment of most items and services is quite comprehensive. Cash is available from ATMs and from within the banks with appropriate identification. It is wise to keep a reasonable cash reserve in a secure wallet in case your card is damaged by a reader or lost. There are many card scams but with some common sense and care these will most likely be avoided. Where possible keep your card in view while it is being processed. Reputable traders are low risk but care must be taken at all times as it is usually not the trader who will commit a fraud, it is more likely to be the individual providing the service.
In the wild
It cannot be said too often that wild animals are just that and should not be approached unless with a qualified guide or similar. There are many incidents each year involving people being hurt and even killed. Virtually all of them could have been avoided.
If you are going into an area where animal encounters are possible get information on how to behave. Watching animals in the wild is very satisfying and is encouraged in many areas but the animals' 'wildness' must be respected. Large animals such as bears and bison must not be approached as they can be quite unpredictable and are potentially very dangerous.
Feeding wild animals is prohibited as it encourages them to keep approaching humans and often if they persist they have to be destroyed. This is tragic as it is our fault when this happens! You can usually see plenty of wild animals when keeping to the authorised areas.
When in campgrounds where there are warnings of bears in the vicinity, follow the rules strictly as bears can destroy tents and cause a lot of damage to vehicles in their attempts to get to food. Thus you never have food or dirty dishes in tents. If there are no bear proof bins to store food it is usually recommended you tie it to a rope slung over a branch and haul it up at least 10 feet off the ground. Check the rangers' advice and be very careful.
A summary of differences to be prepared for
