Last minute advice for our USA trip

cubegame

I'm still saying SUV all the way and they are rarely at a price premium in the USA compared to a full size.

The ability to off road and the elevated driving position to allow better viewing angles of scenery (after all, that is what a road trip is about) still make it a no-brainer.

Spendless_Dosh

cubegame wrote: »

I'm still saying SUV all the way and they are rarely at a price premium in the USA compared to a full size.

The ability to off road and the elevated driving position to allow better viewing angles of scenery (after all, that is what a road trip is about) still make it a no-brainer.

Just wanted to make a quick comment on this post, I'd recommend you avoid off-roading, I suspect that the insurance will specifically exclude cover for this type of driving.

cubegame

Spendless_Dosh wrote: »

Just wanted to make a quick comment on this post, I'd recommend you avoid off-roading, I suspect that the insurance will specifically exclude cover for this type of driving.

Depends what you drive on. The USA has a lot of designated but non-paved highways which you would be insured to use. It is only undesignated routes that you can't use.

jackieblack

cubegame wrote: »

Depends what you drive on. The USA has a lot of designated but non-paved highways which you would be insured to use. It is only undesignated routes that you can't use.

Maybe worth double checking the wording on the rental agreement.
I know Alamo's wording specifically states 'unpaved road' not 'undesignated route'
Avis and National also both specifically state that use on unpaved roads is prohibited.

cubegame

jackieblack wrote: »

Maybe worth double checking the wording on the rental agreement.
I know Alamo's wording specifically states 'unpaved road' not 'undesignated route'
Avis and National also both specifically state that use on unpaved roads is prohibited.

It's a matter of risk anyway. No car rental breakdown service in the world is going to come up an unpaved alpine pass in the Rockies.

But why would that stop anyone wanting to go up an unpaved alpine pass in the Rockiesm with OR without insurance?

photome

cubegame wrote: »

I'm still saying SUV all the way and they are rarely at a price premium in the USA compared to a full size.

The ability to off road and the elevated driving position to allow better viewing angles of scenery (after all, that is what a road trip is about) still make it a no-brainer.

Do the SUVs you hire have a luggage cover and do you leave you luggae unattended

thats my main gripe about an SUV

that and the fact a full size is more comfortable;)

As for the price premium, it does depend on what size SUV you rent

wondercollie

I've only ever had cover of the tailgate in a stationwagon. Nobody I know has it in their SUVs.


Try a fully loaded Taurus, that's comfort

Murphy_The_Cat

steveouk wrote: »

• Fuel we are doing around 800 miles in a one way half circle from san fran via Tahoe and Yosemite to vegas. So although fuel is cheaper out there we are still going to need a fair bit for our hire car which is an SUV.

Anyway hope these questions are not too much and thanks in advance

if it helps at all, I've just done 1500 miles in a 7 seat Dodge Durago and it averaged 23mpUSgal, which is 27 mpg.
Fuel worked out at roughly $4.32 per uk gal (£2.54 per UK gal), so each mile was about 10p in fuel -- fairly insignificent when compared to the cost of the rental.
Working on that, the 800 miles in a 5+2 seat SUV will cost you about £80. Something like a Tahoe/Suburban will maybe coat another £20 more.(IIRC, fuel was a bit cheaper in Nevada than California).

Enjoy your SUV, the extra ride height makes a lot of difference to your driving/viewing pleasure.

p.s. most SUVs seem to have blacked our rear windows in the rental lots that I saw, making a luggage cover unnecessary.

photome

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

if it helps at all, I've just done 1500 miles in a 7 seat Dodge Durago and it averaged 23mpUSgal, which is 27 mpg.
Fuel worked out at roughly $4.32 per uk gal (£2.54 per UK gal), so each mile was about 10p in fuel -- fairly insignificent when compared to the cost of the rental.
Working on that, the 800 miles in a 5+2 seat SUV will cost you about £80. Something like a Tahoe/Suburban will maybe coat another £20 more.(IIRC, fuel was a bit cheaper in Nevada than California).

Enjoy your SUV, the extra ride height makes a lot of difference to your driving/viewing pleasure.

p.s. most SUVs seem to have blacked our rear windows in the rental lots that I saw, making a luggage cover unnecessary.

2 good points.

You can still see the luggage in the backs of the SUVs in the ones I have had, but maybe it doesnt really matter, I guess most people are not going to steal a few suitcases

davetrousers

• What should we do about using our mobile phones out there?

Don't use them! I put a PAYG UK sim card in with a few quid credit for emergency use only. Simply use wifi for skype, email etc.

• Also I am really not sure about spending money

You should have a good credit card (see MSE credit card guide) that you use for fuel, hotels, Walmart shopping etc. keep a record (eg spreadsheet) with approximate conversions to £ to keep spending in check. Take a couple of hundred dollars cash, and withdraw additional cash when required (as long as you have a decent account).

• Fuel we are doing around 800 miles

Why an SUV? Just get a full size car. Don't worry about fuel cost, there's not that much you can do about it is there? Note some gas stations may be cash only (or have cash prices) which can be cheaper than credit card. They generally require payment in advance, so you'll need to go into the shop. Also a US gallon is 3.79 litres while a UK gallon in 4.54 litres, not that it matters but it can be tricky when trying to make comparisons.


Remember tipping in restaurants and diners is the norm 15% is the minimum really. The waiting staff are reliant on it to support them!