Ultimate USA Travel Guide

US Travel information

Planning a perfect vacation can be an exciting and rewarding experience. The USA is a beautiful travel destination, but you need to be prepared in order to fully enjoy this country. In this guide, you will find all the practical information that you need before going to the US. 

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1. Visa and Documentation

Besides a valid passport, as European Citizens we are required to sign up for ESTA, which allows us to stay on the US grounds for 3 months. It expires after 2 years. You can obtain it online here.

Please note that for each National Park, you have to pay an entrance ticket (for your vehicle). I advise you to get the annual pass, which costs 80$ and allows you to enter almost all parks. Keep in mind that the parks managed by the Navajos aren't included (such as Monumental Valley or Antelope Canyon). Additionally for almost all parks, you will have to book your spot during the high season, otherwise they won't let you enter in the park. This applies also to specific (very famous) hikes and paths, which have a limited amount of daily spots. You find the details on their official website.

2. money

USA's local currency is the United States dollar (USD). You don't need cash, as everyone accepts credit cards (any type). The only places that I came across that didn't accept credit cards were the casinos in Las Vegas. To get an idea of the costs, I'd say is quite expensive to travel to West USA generally. In the big cities I paid a double room on average 130$ (staying at motels). Meals can vary a lot, junk food is the cheapest option. It's not a country where is worth spending money to eat out, I mostly ate out for brunch and had packed lunches/dinners. 

3. Transportation and Logistics

Public transportation in the USA tends to be limited, therefore renting a car is the best way to go. We rented our car at the airport, you can rent ahead on the Rentalcars website. Driving is not too complicated, but there is a lot of traffic around the cities. Around Los Angeles and San Francisco we were stuck for hours, so if we were planning a 3-hour drive, it could quickly become a 4/5 one. Speed limits are intercepted by the sheriffs, who hide out and are basically everywhere. Usually, if they see some kind of infraction, they turn on the lights and follow the car, in this case simply pull over and see what is going on. Furthermore, petrol prices vary a lot between the states, keep this in mind when getting gas (for example California was the most expensive).

4. Accommodation in USA

I booked all my hotels on Booking, spending more or less 90$ for a double room. I picked mostly motels, which are very simple and essential, but clean and perfect for a typical road trip. However in my opinion renting a van/caravan is a great alternative. The States are full of campsites, that are very basic but placed in the best spots. For example the parks (Yosemite, Zion and so on) have campsites inside the park that are very cheap and perfect for exploring the park. Whereas the most convenient hotels (close to the parks) are super expensive. I decided to stay a bit further away, but we had to drive up and all back each time. Keep in mind that the campsites must be booked in advance.

5. Safety 

Concerning safety, I never felt in danger whatsoever during my time here. However the crime rates are pretty high in the cities, and some districts should be avoided. When picking a hotel check out the reviews, to see if the neighborhood is safe. Some famous ones are Skid Row in Los Angeles and Oakland in San Francisco. Furthermore, homeless people have grown so much (in fact they are everywhere) but they are mostly harmless. From my experience (2022), Las Vegas was the worst city in terms of homeless people, as they were on drugs or would consume right in the streets. Outside the big cities it's very safe. 

6. Weather 

Here's a brief overview of the weather you might expect in different regions of the USA:

1. West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington):

   - **California:** Typically enjoys mild to warm temperatures year-round, with coastal regions experiencing cool summers and mild winters. Inland areas can get hot in summer and cool in winter, especially in the desert regions.

   - **Oregon & Washington:** These states have a more temperate climate, with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Coastal areas are often cloudy and rainy, while inland areas experience more distinct seasons.

2. Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada):

   - **Arizona & Nevada:** Characterized by hot, arid climates, especially in summer. Temperatures can soar well above 100°F (38°C) in desert regions like Phoenix and Las Vegas. Winters are mild.

   - **New Mexico:** Similar to Arizona and Nevada but with more variation in elevation, leading to some cooler temperatures in mountainous regions.

3. Rocky Mountains & Great Plains (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah):

   - **Colorado & Wyoming:** Experience a range of climates depending on elevation. Mountainous regions have cooler temperatures and heavy snowfall in winter, while lower elevations have more moderate weather.

   - **Montana, Idaho, Utah:** Similar to Colorado and Wyoming, with varying climates based on elevation. Summers tend to be warm and dry, while winters can be cold with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous areas.

4. Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio):

   - **Northern Midwest:** Cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, humid summers.

   - **Southern Midwest:** More moderate winters with less snow and hotter, muggy summers.

   - **Tornado Alley (Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska):** Prone to severe weather, including tornadoes, especially in spring and summer.

5. Northeast (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine):

   - **New England:** Cool to cold winters with heavy snowfall, and warm, humid summers.

   - **Mid-Atlantic:** Similar to New England but with slightly milder winters and less snowfall along the coast.

6. Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia):

   - **Florida:** Warm to hot year-round with high humidity. Summers are long and humid, with frequent thunderstorms.

   - **Rest of the Southeast:** Hot, humid summers with mild to cool winters. Thunderstorms are common, especially in summer.