[sahajesh]

Had my first fly-drive holiday in about 12 years and had forgotten the good and bad things you experience:

Good:
* Turn right on a red
* Wiiiide lanes
* Take a look at a Rand McNally road atlas and see how long their interstates are (also a bad point!)
* Undertaking (not the F31 kind) is allowed
* Fuck me, fuel is cheap and the buggers still moan
* Lack of roundabouts
* You can click the fuel pump nozzle to fill without needing to stand there and hold the damn thing - why can't we have this??


Bad:
* US cars are like a mattress with wheels
* Bloody concrete roads, lots of road noise
* I-10W from New Orleans to Houston is horrendous
* Boring driving on the interstates
* Big rig drivers are crazy
* Lack of roundabouts
* Don't listen to the radio
* Their roads aren't always better than ours but their floaty suspension means you don't really feel the bumps
* Fuel pumps are slower (perhaps due to above positive)
* Fuel pumps still require a valid ZIP code in some cases if you want to pay by card
* Fuel pumps have a nasty habit of pre-authorising spend and you have to wait for the 'hold' to be released a few days later.
* Paying cash for fuel means specifying the max amount you expect to spend, giving that amount to the cashier and then getting change back, takes longer.

Any of you boys and girls got any good/bad points to share?

[Skwirrel]

Whoever came up with the concept of a four way stop needs to have a word with themself.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by Skwirrel

Whoever came up with the concept of a four way stop needs to have a word with themself.

+1 to that, and STOP really does mean stop. The police will have a proper word if you slow to a crawl and then go through a STOP sign.

[Jeff123]

No speed cameras and generally a more relaxed attitude to drivers than in the UK. You can drive around at what you consider the correct speed for the conditions and type of road; as long as you aren't doing anything too dangerous, you seem to be fine.

[Edinburra]

In addition to your points.
Good
Banked corners on interstates and other main roads.
Fuel is so cheap that in some cases it is cheaper to drive than fly and quicker.
I like the four-way stop it shows respect for others.
Sat-nav in rental cars.
Courteous drivers, in the main.
Being able to fully use the lane keeping app in the car.


Bad
Off-ramps on the left-hand side of Freeways and Interstates.

[5557223]

Originally Posted by Watsey

+1 to that, and STOP really does mean stop. The police will have a proper word if you slow to a crawl and then go through a STOP sign.

I always wondered if that is the case. Sometime STOP signs will say 'All way' implying that others without that do not require a full STOP?

[Chrismac13]

GOOD
Big wide roads
Undertaking
Cars/SUV's are massive & driving is like your in an armchair
Very cheap fuel
In some states you are the only thing on the road

BAD.
Having to pay for fuel 1st then filling up & going back into the store to get your change or pay more. What a faff
Undertaking in traffic cars appear from nowhere
In some areas ridiculously low speed limits

[Tengocity]

BAD

Finding yourself in the wrong neighbourhood in Atlanta, at the wrong time of the day, trying to find a petrol station to fill up before you return the hire car.

GOOD

The more chilled out nature of driving in the US

Everything being much cheaper- fuel especially

V8 sounds on every street

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

No speed cameras and generally a more relaxed attitude to drivers than in the UK. You can drive around at what you consider the correct speed for the conditions and type of road; as long as you aren't doing anything too dangerous, you seem to be fine.

Having been in a car pulled by a highway patrol in California when driver was doing 75 in a 55 they arent very relaxed about speeding some times - officer approaching car with hand on gun is not what I would call relaxed...

the 55 had been a 75 a little earlier and was a long straight down hill section too...

[TouringPleb]

Tiny women driving massive SUVs with phone in one hand and a cup of soda bigger than her torso in the other..

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

BAD

Finding yourself in the wrong neighbourhood in Atlanta, at the wrong time of the day, trying to find a petrol station to fill up before you return the hire car.

GOOD

The more chilled out nature of driving in the US

Everything being much cheaper- fuel especially

V8 sounds on every street

Change Atlanta to LA and we've been there. 2 lost white blokes in a black neighbourhood that looked rough as fuck.

Then to my shame, after having locked the doors and closed the windows, 2 massive guys approached us. I'm starting to shit myself and then they asked if we were lost and needed directions. They then showed us how to get where we needed to be and what areas to avoid.

Taught me a valuable lesson about judging people.

[Jeff123]

I was there last year and was driving down the 4th lane (out of 8) when there was a 4 car pile up straight in front of me. Just literally had time to realise what was happening and steer round it. No time to even use the brakes. Happy days.

[bodtwo]

BAD
East coast driving in general

GOOD
West Coast driving in general

[xenon]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Having been in a car pulled by a highway patrol in California when driver was doing 75 in a 55 they arent very relaxed about speeding some times - officer approaching car with hand on gun is not what I would call relaxed...

the 55 had been a 75 a little earlier and was a long straight down hill section too...

I got stopped for similar and the State Trooper went fcuking mental. Not sure why he was so much on the rag but I kept my counsel for the most part. It got interesting though when I showed him my UK driving licence and he insisted I needed an International Driving Licence. I politely explained that this was not 1973 and I didn't but he wasn't having any of it. After being detained for about an hour he eventually conceeded this wasn't so but still gave me a $300 fine.

[sahajesh]

Agree with the 4 way stop - scary as fk when you've never seen it before but others have been courteous to me when I have used and hesitated when it was my turn to go.

Miss the camber on the roads though, much better.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Right turn on red unless the sign says no right turn on red

Tickets mean a fine and that's it - I got 85 in a 55 in Indianapolis.

If pulled over STAY IN THE CAR and wind down all the windows so they can see you.

Don't use your phone while driving - they have a major focus on this in some states as of late.

Parking is free everywhere.

Drive thru everything.

Insurance is not mandatory so avoid shit heaps on the road at all costs.

Some toll roads are not clear - get a toll tag with the rental car if appropriate.

Signal signal signal - you'll get ticketed for changing lanes without signalling (like the Stop sign).

[SkyJawa]

I love driving in the states, it’s so easy and much more relaxed as others have said. Gas stations a bit of a pita.

[Daftasabrush]

Their road designs are moronic. Cloverleaf junctions are dangerous and yet they still put them in. They build enormous local roads then put stupid cross road interchanges in them, these roads can be dual carriageway, 4 lanes or more per side and still, stupid crossroads every 5 seconds. Because of these stupid inappropriate junctions, the speed limit on these enormous roads is a seemingly stupid 25mph which no one observes but actually need to due to the prevalence of the stupid junctions. Then there's the stop signs - EVERYWHERE. And as above, they mean it. Fucking stupid, I get it in the UK where they're on blind junctions, but where you can see for fucking miles, why would you put one there?

Urgh, their roads are another example of why they voted Drumpf in.

[Kal101]

Steering wheels on the wrong side.

[Soul_Glo]

Turn right on red depends on the state. Some states do not allow this so check before you go. Most states have a police website stating their driving laws and sometimes useful numbers and driving tips.

Adding to the above pulled over. Keep your hands on the steering at all times. Do not instinctively reach for your documents in the glovebox. Wait for instruction from the officer. No sudden movements. Tell the officer once requested: "My license is in the glovebox may I get it?" Carry all your paperwork with you. Your rental agreement, insurance and, license.

Some states still don't recognise the UK license. There is no harm obtaining an international driving license from your local post office as a back up.

Insurance may not be mandatory in some states but being in the land of milk and honey it is more for your own benefit. Medical bills and legal fees can add up quickly. Take out a comprehensive policy with protection for others. Don't compromise cover. In case shit happens!

Stop at a stop sign. Don't just creep over it without stopping.

Good: HOV lanes. 2 or more occupants in a car. Including driver.

One or two diamond interchange already exist. The UK need to seriously consider this.

Prepaid toll road devices on hire cars. Remember to switch it on. The unit is usually by the rear view mirror. However, leaving it on when you don't need it can incur a daily charge. Keep an eye out for toll road signs. Check the device has a working switch.

Fuel is cheap. As cheap as when my old man started to moan back in the day of how the price had gone up to 42p a litre. The pumps have an auto cut off which is good. If you go into the gas station and say $15 dollars on pump no. then once you hit that it will cut off. So no need to ask for change unless it came to $10. I have rarely seen a pump that exceeds your prepaid amount.

Some car washes have bays. Each bay has it's own vacuum, air duster, blower and, sometimes even a tyre pressure inflator.

Cheap car parts. If you damage your rental or have some wear and tear and can repair it yourself then do it to avoid fees. There are loads of places selling replacement parts for less than dealer prices e.g. a H8 bulb. Some rental companies might surprise you with a $600 bill for a scratch you didn't put there so be thorough AF. Check your agreement. Bulbs and tyres might not be covered! Return the car on time to avoid late fees.

Runaway trails on steep inclines are good. For example, heading to Vegas via Sedona, if your brakes go then you might be able to come to a natural stop on one of the trails.

Bad:

The I-10 is a nightmare. From Wako to Austin. Many a toothless hillbilly undercutting etc. You need nerves of steel, awareness and, patience to drive it.

Road rage. Do not flash anymore or get into an argument. They have a gun for protection and you don't. People will shoot if they feel at threat.

Valet might be tempting but you are better off parking your own car. Not everyone will rag your car but a tip always helps to encourage care!

While parking is free most places. Never park on a red line or obstruct a hydrant. Look out for private land signs! Might be a bit obvious if you are parked on the edge of someone's land but not always clear. Don't be afraid to ask politely if you are allowed to avoid a disgruntled land owner saying you were trespassing.