Driving in the USA

[pinotnow]

I am starting to get anxious about the driving element of our summer trip to the USA. I have never driven there before and am the only adult/driver as it's me and my teens going.

One worry is navigation. We rely on my inbuilt Satnav at home and with roaming charges I don't think Google maps on our phones is going to be doable? Would a separate Satnav I bought here work? It's one of many worries...We're not driving a huge amount - from Philadelphia to Annapolis to York Town to Charlottesville/Shenandoah to DC, but I'm starting to dwell on it!

Any tips would be amazing!

What FCDO advice are people talking exactly? I’ve had a quick look on the USA page and I can’t see what on there deterring travel but not sure if I’m looking in the wrong place.

Has Mumsnet always been this hostile? Would you speak to people in real life like this? I answered the original question ( buy a map and get teens to help navigate). I also have an opinion on travel to USA which I thought could be relevant to a travel thread on the USA. I haven't patronised. You don't need to be aggressive. I saw similar behaviour on another thread ( about Brexit - absolutely terrible decision for UK- but the vitriol in comments was sad). Anyway, I'll leave you to it.

@CalmdownpeopleGenuinely curious - where has highways/interstates with 10 lanes on each side ? I've done an 8 laner before, through LA, but never more than this.

I did this and found driving a lot easier than I expected. It helped that it was the same model we had at home (this was 9 years ago when I was still using satnavs).

Right back at you, in real life would you wade in with unsolicited political opinions when someone is just asking a logistical question about a holiday that is already booked? My hostility is in response to yours, I might come across harsher, but you’re the one veering a thread off point from the OP’s intentions, you can moan about hostility, but I miss the days when OPs could just ask a question without virtue signalling.

Yeah I’ve done more than one including the I-75 which has 15. Here is a snip for reference…

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/tables/01.pdf

Yes, you can undertake and overtake on US highways with multiple lanes. Just be very diligent about using your rearview mirrors, and your passengers can help out too. Use your indicators.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/tables/01.pdf

List of US highways with a lot of lanes.

Once you're out in the cornfields, you're looking at two lanes in either direction for the most part. You're more likely to find multiple lanes near urban areas and in the east coast conurbation.

Xpost with @Calmdownpeople

Use Google Maps or Waze, I agree. You'll be in my area and it's really not difficult unless you are around DC where the traffic is terrible. Philadelphia is full of one way streets so do pay attention. Also if you're on any highways around Philly be aware of left hand exits. The Philly area also has jughandles so watch for signs saying to stay right to turn left. (It is easier if you google this to see one. They are huge in NJ)

I've seen them in Atlanta, LA, and I think Houston. Also the 401 in Toronto which is absolutely massive! It's got express lanes and local lanes on each side and it's always clogged with traffic too.

In the northeast roads are older and have less room to expand, and you rarely see such wide roads. Part of the NJ turnpike has local and express lanes and is at least 6 lanes a side for one section.

I've driven a lot in the USA but only once in the area you're going. Annapolis is a lovely walkable town and Shenandoah is stunning. You're gonna have a great trip!

Nobody mentioned refuelling. Mostly you can pay at the pump with cards. Try to check and wriggle the card reader Before the card goes in. So called skimmers that steal your card info are a common scam! Or go inside, there's some weird & wonderful sights! "Wawa" - that really is the name - has amazing healthy snacks.

Anyway, when pumping, look at the directions or see what other people are doing. Often you have to pull or push a toggle to start the petrol flowing. Oh, if you rent a Subaru there is a very hard- to-see latch which blends into the floor that you have to pull before you can open the cap!

Should you wander into New Jersey, it's Illegal to pump your own so you must wait for the attendant. Nice in sub zero temps but they do expect a tip. $2-3 dollars (cash) is good.

A lot of flights into the US have a video that covers the basics. But if you can drive in UK you will be Fine.

Ignoring all of the political crap, Look, it is OK once you get used to it. I am an average UK based driver, and hired a car out of the city centre in Chicago, not known for for its patient drivers, and managed OK. Admittedly we had some moments. Defo get satnav or a good navigator though. We went to an out of town shopping mall to try the car out I have memories of 6 lanes of rush hour traffic and cars cutting in and out, but also signage on the way back at 9pm. There were some signs, but they were in font 10, and never, seemingly, for Chicago. I'm surprised we made it home, Once you are driving in the sticks. it's easy. You will soon become used to it, don't let it spoil your trip for worrying. xx

Also, do NOT forget to get crabs in Maryland. It will be the season for local ones!

further important 'contributions' from Monkeybore; appreciated due to: 1) the close attention paid to the original subject; 2) the incredible lack of pomposity exhibited

I'm so grateful for all the advice and will definitely watch some videos before I go. To be honest, some of it does sound a bit daunting but I'm sure we will survive! I do have to drive out of Philadelphia airport and then into DC airport as that is where I'm leaving/collecting the car. It was hard to find places where I could drop-off and collect in different places.

It's also logistics surrounding that - we will arrive at Philly by train, then need to get to the airport, then find the rental, then drive out. With DC we'll then need to get from the car rental to our accommodation without a car, which I imagine will be hard as they're designed for you to drive/fly out of!

Just out of interest why are you driving that section? I only ask as you’re in the one part of the country where there are trains.

Yum! And she crab soup. Delicious.

Yeah I find driving in a canada a bit ‘worse’ in places especially around the GTA. People also drive very very close which is different to here.

One thing not mentioned yet (that I can see) are HOV lanes (high occupancy) which is basically you can’t drive in that lane if you are on your own. There are cameras and you will get a fine if you do.

I use Airlo for E sim in the US, easy to use and lots of different packages. Driving in the states is fairly easy once you get used to opposite sides of everything and you can turn right on a red in a lot of states.

Driving in the states is pretty easy. The roads are very wide and in most cases, traffic is less congested than your average UK town. There’s very little non-car traffic to navigate (parked cars, pedestrians, cyclists). Get your passenger to remind you at turns and when merging where you need to be.

Google Maps or Waze is your friend, don’t use a sat nav or paper maps.

The one quirk that I found a bit daunting was four way stop signs. Basically everyone at an intersection has a stop sign, and it’s a weird game of chicken as to who has right of way.

Get a taxi from DC airport to your accommodation - don’t bother with trying to navigate PT. Your Uber app will work in the US too.

If your car rental drop off is at Dulles airport I'd definitely get Airalo (or another eSim provider) and use Google maps for the lane change info. There is free access to the car rental drop off from DC but it is surrounded by the toll road. Miss the one free exit and you end up on the toll road and you have to pay - the car rental company will charge your CC(!) - guess how I know. 😉
Otherwise driving is not too bad, according to DH, I usually end up being the navigator. Come to a complete stop at stop signs (you'll see those more in the suburbs and countryside than highways). You'll have to look up who has priority to go if multiple drivers are stopped though.

Surely you only collect your car from the airport if you’re going to be there anyway? The satnav is the easiest thing about this.

I can't help you re your satnav problem but just wanted to say I'm really envious of you driving around the States. I'm just a frustrated campervan owner who doesn't use it enough, but I'm determined to drive myself and my dogs to France next year! Enjoy your trip 😊

We drive in the US quite a lot as we have family there. (Haven't noticed any change in everyday life since Trump got in btw so the impact on your trip is likely to be absolutely nothing).

Driving is lovely and easier than here when you get used to it. We get roaming on a phone and use Google maps. The toughest part for me is the usage of lanes and the undertaking and overtaking so please always check both sides before changing lane!

@pinotnow Don't worry about getting out of DC airport. I have not been there but all airports have "ground transportation" which might be a shuttle bus, monorail, or just taxis. An Uber might work if your accommodation isn't ridiculously far.