Driving in America

emailiscrap said:
I did that drive a few years back. Very enjoyable from my memory, I think it takes you via Hoover Dam (but I wouldn't swear to that).
There are roundabouts, but you are unlikely to encounter them they are so few. Where they do exist, they often have a local radio broadcast signposted well in advance for U.S. drivers as they don't normally know how to use them!
Once you get into the cities, beware 4-way stop junctions. There are no priorities, but the rule is that the first person to arrive at the line gets to go first. Drivers over there are disciplined enough generally to obey this rule.
If you get a satnav, avoid Destinator. I used it over there and it was dire.

Long straight roads are novel at first, but the real joy is to head off them and go exploring!
Petrol is obviously very cheap, but the fuel pumps often require you to physically throw a switch before they dispense. It took me about 5 very frustrating and embarrassing minutes before someone pointed this out. If you are going to use a UK based card to pay at the pump, expect to have to go into the forecourt building to have the card authorised on a regular basis.

During my trip the fuel filler cap snapped off. I spent a reasonable amount of time trying to glue it back on before returning it, and this was a waste of time. When I returned the car I handed back the keys and filler cap with an apology. They weren't fussed at all and never charged me anything extra.
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Fuel cap eh?
I did something worse :( on the last day I filled the car up with diesel!!
I was just on autopilot filling up, went for the green handle and filled up. got onto the motorway :eek: drove for about 2 miles, came off and stopped at lights, tried pulling away from lights and the car was hesitant, I pulled into a golf club, parked and called assistance. 30 mins later a chap with a Dodge caravan (OMG DEATH!!!) shows up.

Have you got someone going with you?
If so get a Autoroute USA and install it on your laptop and take it with you, much cheaper than any other solutions.

Personally when picking up the car, I would choose a Japanese one if possible, I got a Toyota Camry, which served us well and had an aux in :D
 
Maku sure you know what fuel the car needs, I think they still sell Octane 89 to 93 in the US (well maybe now not anymore but I think I saw that 5 years ago when I was there)
 
I really do want to get rid of the Punto, honest....

Re gas stations in America they can also get funny if you try and stretch the hose over the car offside to the pump. You are expected to park up with the filler cap on the correct side. Most stations also have a bucket of water and windscreen cleaner so you can get the wife to clean the flies off the windshield while you pump the gas.

Re the cars yes actually I have had a couple (Chevrolet Corsica I think) where it was hard to get the seat right. Sort of ended up with my lower back folded. But overall I still like 'em, each to their own I suppose.

Only had one direct encounter with the police (highway patrol). That was when I had a flat tyre about 30 miles outside Missoula in Montana. The guy was just suddenly there behind us on the shoulder, but courtesy itself, helped us change over the wheel and even get our luggage back in the boot!
 
OspreyO said:
Why? Is there much to see on route?
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Dunno, never been before. I know it goes past Mojave national preserve.. the main reason was just to break up all the flights we're going on.
 
Bugger the road conventions, make sure you have a good look at the Mojave (hard to miss it), death valley, bryce canyon and the grand canyon. Just south of LV is the Hoover dam and Lake Mead. North is national monument. On the way to SF is Sequoia national park and some ace driving roads.
Have to say that my hols over there included the most amazing scenery I've ever seen, so take a decent camera.
 
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