Last minute advice for our USA trip

Doshwaster

Yes, the quality (and price) of roadside places is the US is usually much better than Little Chef. You can't even compare them. Many of the chains will have loyalty schemes for regular customers but what out for the independent "ma and pa" places too.

As for phones - do you really need to call home? You are honeymoon and should be enjoying time together, not checking in with friends and family all of the time. If you really need to keep in touch then you can get SIM cards everywhere. Personally, I just turn off data roaming and use free wi-fi in hotels and bars.

PeacefulWaters

Use FaceTime or Skype type apps on free hotel wi-fi for communicating with the outside world!

cubegame

We always have an SUV for USA roadtrips. It is the only sensible choice for any kind of driving holiday as you don't want to be cramped and have trouble loading and offloading your luggage every day.


We drive a lot and generally fill up every other day. In certain states you can get bioethanol which is cheaper still.

jackieblack

cubegame wrote: »

We always have an SUV for USA roadtrips. It is the only sensible choice for any kind of driving holiday as you don't want to be cramped and have trouble loading and offloading your luggage every day.

:huh: We never have an SUV for USA roadtrips. We've never felt or been cramped and don't have trouble loading and offloading our luggage every day.
IMO SUVs are in no way the only sensible choice for any kind of driving holiday.
Better trunk space (and, I'd guess, better mpg) with a full size sedan

photome

cubegame wrote: »

We always have an SUV for USA roadtrips. It is the only sensible choice for any kind of driving holiday as you don't want to be cramped and have trouble loading and offloading your luggage every day.


We drive a lot and generally fill up every other day. In certain states you can get bioethanol which is cheaper still.

I think a full size car is more comfortable with more luggage space but more importantly as Ferf says with an SUV you rarely get a luggage cover so any luggage left in the car is clearly visible, that makes me uncomfortable.

OP its not too late to chnage, an SUV is usually a premium price (depending on size) or at least the same as a full size car so the rental company would have no problems letting you pick something else.

In the USA if you are picking up at the airport they wont allocate a car, you get to pick from a group of cars, if you want one from a group that costs the same or less they wont have a problem.

Spendless_Dosh

Hi,

Firstly have a great time, we've done this part of the US a few times and loved every minute.

For the mobile, I'd suggest taking a look at 3, the PAYG sim is great value here in the UK plus it has the option to buy a bundle which you can use over there (same rates as here), top up whatever you think you might need (from £5 up, lasts 30 days) and also make use of Skype, etc (which you can also use to call landlines & mobiles).

You won't need an SUV unless you want one. We've tried both alternatives and found a standard size (Mondeo type) is perfect for two with luggage. Just remember that all the cars will be automatic and this will mean lower MPG than with a manual. 800 miles will mean approx 2 tanks of fuel, make sure you follow the rental instructions on fuel or it could be costly (i.e. return full/empty). There are no toll roads to worry about (might need to pay a toll for a bridge depending on which route you take out of San Francisco) so don't get talked into paying for a tag at the rental counter (SFO). Check the car thoroughly when you collect it and make sure that any damages are noted on the contract paperwork.

$100 per day will be plenty, unless you are going to treat yourselves to fine dining, most hotels/inns will provide a free breakfast and they are usually self service/buffet style. Lunch & dinner will be your main costs depending on how much you want to indulge. $20-30 should cover lunch and $50-60 for dinner but remember to factor in for tips (min 15%) which are expected in the US. If you don't tip expect to be challenged as to what was wrong with the service.

Enjoy the trip it's going to be memorable, you'll be driving through some of the most scenic areas of the country. Yosemite will blow you away, just remember it's a huge country and you're only going to be able to see a little of it don't try to do too much, make the most of what you do get to see.

If your missus likes shopping I'd suggest you take an extra suitcase, the outlet malls can be very tempting, particularly in towns with lower sales taxes, but this will eat into your time and your budget.

Doshwaster

Spendless_Dosh wrote: »

If your missus likes shopping I'd suggest you take an extra suitcase, the outlet malls can be very tempting, particularly in towns with lower sales taxes, but this will eat into your time and your budget.

When I go on a shopping trip to the US (I normally hate clothes shopping but the prices there are so good that I load up), I take a collapsible holdall in my suitcase on the way out and use it to bring stuff back.

Of course, you'll declare everything to customs on your return won't you

John259

Or buy the suitcase(s) out there...

ferf1223

if you have nesting cases sticking a medium one inside a large one for the way out works too...though probably more weight on the way out than a collapsible holdall or buying one out there...but we always make it work.

I'm glad it's not just me who doesn't think an SUV is necessary for 2...for more people I could maybe understand it but for 2 even an intermediate might suit but a full size would seem plenty.

wondercollie

I've got to chime in here. I live in Canada. I have a Ford Escape SUV and I use it in winter for the roads. I can do upto 700km on one tank. My other car is a Focus, one son drives a Taurus (we're a Ford family.


Both the Focus and Taurus have big enough trunks to get several full sized suitcases in it. I've driven from Northern Alberta to Vancouver return several times with these vehicles and never had a problem.


I think the need for an SUV is more for photo bragging rights.


But hey, if I had cash to burn, no concern about fuel, and wanted to impress, I'd rent a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade.