Driving USA - tips

[bass_ke]

Good day folks, planning a us road trip I'm starting to come across a few questions, i'll start with the following two.

Can one expect to be able to drive in relatively decent conditions through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois in November?

Do the big us companies allow you to cross the Canadian border with a car?

Thanks!
Nate

 

[drron]

Most of the larger companies will let you drive into Canada.May have special conditions like a mileage limit instead of unlimited or a surcharge.personally have used Dollar and avis into Canada.
November should not be a major problem with driving conditions.We have driven in the north east of the USA in early December on a few occasions.Only once did we have a snow storm near DC.I drove slowly in the inside lane and eventually pulled over.After about an hour the snow stopped and off we went passing several bingles including one typical multi vehicle pile up.many drivers are insane and drive at the speed that they would do in perfect conditions.
However that is their only major vice.US drivers typically are very courteous and I find driving in the States more pleasant than at home.

 

[AdMEL]

I've also taken an Avis car from New York to Canada. To be honest, dont think I actually checked whether this was ok.

 

[amaroo]

Assuming these Wikis are correct - check the dates/location to your itinerary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_tire

Snow tire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After a spending a week in Quebec a few weeks ago I wouldn't bother driving myself.....Ontario had Ice storms mid Dec that destroyed many driving reputations

 

[cove]

No shouting obscenities nor giving the other driver the finger is what I tell any staff member going to the US.
Stay polite and let that car merge into your lane because he/she may have a gun.
If you are staying in the US for a few months and will be driving I suggest you become an AAA member.

 

[bass_ke]

Folks, thanks again for the advice!

I'm going to try and see what hertz can offer me in the way of winter tyres and such.

We are also intending to do a loop from LAS through the Grand Canyon (unsure if which side) Zion national park and Rachel, NV - any tips?

 

[TomVexille]

It is possible to see snow in Illinois in November

 

[Princess Fiona]

Folks, thanks again for the advice!

I'm going to try and see what hertz can offer me in the way of winter tyres and such.

We are also intending to do a loop from LAS through the Grand Canyon (unsure if which side) Zion national park and Rachel, NV - any tips?

I drove from LAS to Grand Canyon NP South Rim. Great roads, easy drive. Snow in the canyon when we got there though

 

[Major]

Do a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. There are several companies to choose from

The Grand Kingdom Helicopter Tour

 

[zainman]

I've never driven a left hand drive car before... How easy is it to get used to driving on the other side?

 

[drron]

So much to see driving from LAS to Grand canyon.All the Utah parks are worthwhile though Zion and Bryce are my favourites.This will give you some idea.
Utah National Parks Itinerary - 12 days
then there is the grand canyon and southy from there Sedona is a magic place.
but then you just might find yourself taking it easy on a corner in winslow Arizona.

 

[amaroo]

I've never driven a left hand drive car before... How easy is it to get used to driving on the other side?

No drama. I've driven through a fair chunk of Europe including the centre of Rome at peak hour and felt at ease. I learnt very quickly that the left lane on the autobahn is the fast lane....didn't take me long to get the 4 cylinder Citroen that I temporarily owned (leased) up to 165/KM.......immense shaking and rattling limited going faster.

The only thing I don't like is extreme winter driving....got stuck in the snow blizzard in France and decided never again!

Depending on where the OP will actually drive - November should be fine.

 

[cove]

Zainman it is short rights and long lefts plus you can stop at a red light and then turn right provided there is no sign saying not to do that (provided the road is clear of traffic).

 

[Dino84]

We hired a car from Hertz at BUF with the intention of taking it over the border to Niagara Falls and they didn't have any issues with it.

As far as driving on the opposite side of the road I found it a bit strange at first but you do get used to it. It's a bit easier when in populated areas as you can just follow the traffic where you have to be more careful undertaking turns when you're on your own. Agree with Drron regarding snow driving, had to drive through a snowstorm through the mountains in Colorado and felt strange doing about half the limit in a bright orange Dodge Challenger R/T while most of the other cars went speeding past us!

Scott.

 

[UP4014]

Driving in the US is a breeze, even in winter. They have the equipment to keep roads open but you want to take it easy and keep both hands on the wheel in ice, if you are at a traffic light in ice or snow wait until you see the other cars stop before taking off even if you have a green, they can slide through. Always be polite and don't cut people off and you don't know who is packing, as they say in Moab, an armed society is a polite society.

I find driving in the US easier than in Sydney because they are polite.

One of the great exports is you are allowed to turn right after stopping at lights (obviously left in Aus and they should allow it everywhere).

Some snaps out the windscreen...
driving Monarch Pass (Colorado) in a blizzard which isn't for the faint hearted Monarch Pass | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
a favourite, the Million Dollar Highway in winter Million Dollar Highway | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Rotary plows move slow, but push ploughs are a different story Montana | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I normally use Alamo for rentals in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Matt

 

[UP4014]

A rotary throwing snow over the edge, to overtake simply duck under the plume. (with care for opposing traffic)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/8684913533/in/set-72157632870515428/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/8684910737/in/set-72157632870515428/

 

[Mwenenzi]

I've never driven a left hand drive car before... How easy is it to get used to driving on the other side?

Reverse parking take time to get used to. Turning left or right take care to go into the correct lane. The natural inclination is to go the "wrong lane", as we do here. I find driving in USA easier than in UK. France & Italy:- no comment. And most of my left hand driving has been in stick/manual cars.

 

[irv]

I've also taken an Avis car from New York to Canada. To be honest, dont think I actually checked whether this was ok.

Hmm, I thought I did a good job, apart from the occasional drive out of hotel parking lots to "YOUR ON THE WRONG SIDE" Lanes seem a lot narrower on the wrong side

 

[bass_ke]

Folks, Once again some very very helpful advice. You've quashed the hesitations I had about the North-east in November.

Zainman, my first time was on the Amalfi coast in possibly the worst ever designed Lancia that ever existed, I never knew you could have a blind spot on the A-Pillar! After about a week I became comfortable, I tried to remember that I needed the drivers door facing the centreline.

BAM, I'm going to raid your Flickr stream, you've got some amazing shots! I'm sure I'll pull some inspiration for the trip out of them as well.

Drron, I'll only be slowing if my wifes driving and it's a Ford right? Thanks for the link!

Thanks again guys!
Nate

 

[DaveB]

Try and do Monument Valley - well worth the trip.
We took a Hertz car into Canada and also can't recall whether I checked if OK.
We have always hired cars in Europe at some stage of our trips and feel it is mandatory for the US. Have driven into and out of every EU capital city and all the major US cities and never had an accident though was lucky in a thick fog to drive into probably the only hedge in the UK that didn't have a rockwall behind it.
All so much easier now with a GPS - amazing any marriages survived driving trips before this technology.
I find freeway driving actually the hardest when jetlagged or tired. You don't realise that you (me anyway) subconsciously align the car relative to the right side lane line and I would often veer over to be closer to the line. First time I experienced it was driving down from SFO to Monterey and must have veered over three times during the relatively short trip. Sure kept my wife awake!!