A European traveler has recently taken to a travel forum to ask American natives for some advice in regard to her upcoming trip to the USA. The traveler in question stated that she plans to visit places like New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco and was after some tips on what to put on her bucket list and what to avoid.
People were quick to jump in, and the following list may be helpful to you, too, if you are planning a road trip in the US anytime soon.
5 Dos Of A Road Trip
Here are the 5 most suggested things for a road trip.
1. Make a Note of Travel Times Between Each Place
The first thing people say you should do when planning a US road trip is to establish the travel time between each place you want to visit. One person said: “Make sure you truly understand how far apart all of those cities are from one another and make sure that you're setting a realistic itinerary for yourself.”
2. Learn About Cultural Differences
Although many places in Europe seem similar to the US, there are some cultural differences that you should learn about before going. One user said: “Remember that when buying goods like clothes you have to add sales tax, it's not on the label. Remember to tip 15-20% at restaurants and bars.”
3. Stay In The City
One person said that OP should book to stay in the city at each of her destinations. They said: “Plan to be within the city itself (like downtown) because then you will have access to public transport. Nine times out of ten, it's way easier to use that than try to rent a car.”
4. Experiment with other places
One user suggested that the cities and towns surrounding the places on her itinerary are worth visiting. They said: “I spent time in San Diego and loved it there more than LA, along with San Jose vs. San Francisco. They're also a little (not by much) on the cheaper side.”
5. Visit some national parks
One person said to get a true feeling for the USA, then OP should hit up some national parks on her trip. They said: “Our diverse scenery and small towns are where you will find regional differences and true American hospitality.”
5 Things to Avoid at All Costs
Avoid these 5 things on your road trip.
1. Route 66
Although Route 66 has a big reputation worldwide, one person said it isn't something you need to experience. They said: “Route 66 isn't anything. It's a defunct road, and a few stretches are preserved as a historic route.”
2. A Long Stay In LA
One Redditor said that Los Angeles isn't what it is cracked up to be and suggested that the original poster should only spend a day there. They said: “Ask what you want to see in LA, maybe spend 24 hours there to see the Hollywood sign and Chinese theatre – then get out of the concrete jungle to San Francisco.”
3. Overdo The Traveling
One user said taking breaks between each major city is something to consider. In essence, they were telling OP to avoid long stints of travel. They said: “LA to SF is a long drive. I did it once and stopped overnight in Santa Barbara, which was great!”
4. Be Too Rigid
One Redditor said that sticking to plans religiously can mean you miss out on some great places. They said: “There are many other places to see that aren't on your list. Washington DC is awesome for history, museums, and an easy distance from NYC by plane.”
5. Getting Sick
One person (perhaps jokingly) said you should avoid getting sick at all costs while in the USA, mainly if you are used to free healthcare back home. They said: “US healthcare is costly and somewhat inaccessible.”
Source: Reddit.
More From The Impulse Traveler:
If you're a travel enthusiast, you won't want to miss out on the incredible travel stories waiting for you on The Impulse Traveler blog. Keep clicking through the slideshow to uncover even more adventures that will leave you itching to pack your bags and hit the road. From hidden gems to popular hotspots, The Impulse Traveler has something for everyone, so why not keep exploring? Check Out The Impulse Traveler.
8 Of America's Ugliest Cities According To Frequent Travelers
When it comes to cities, beauty is subjective. What one person finds beautiful, another person may find unattractive. However, that hasn’t stopped people from discussing and ranking cities based on their appearance. In an online thread where users can rank the “ugliest cities” or ugliest places in the U.S., frequent travelers ranked their top 8, and the results may surprise you.
8 of America’s Ugliest Cities According to Frequent Travelers
Pack Like a Pro: These 13 Packable Sun Hats Are a Travel Essential!
When many people think of vacation, they think of pristine beaches with the sun beaming down on the soft white sand. Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes the need for protection from the sun. While sunscreen is essential to any outdoor adventure, a good sun hat can also make a big difference in keeping your skin safe.
Pack Like a Pro: These 13 Packable Sun Hats Are a Travel Essential!
10 Interesting Things Non-Americans Always Wanted To Ask Americans
In a recent conversation on Reddit, someone asked, “Non-Americans: What’s something you’ve always wanted to ask the people of America?” Here are the top-voted responses.
10 Interesting Things Non-Americans Always Wanted To Ask Americans
10 Countries That Have The Best Food in the World
Living in America and being privy to an exciting blend of multicultural cuisine makes it nearly impossible to choose. But I agree with the number one voted response from an internet polling, Thailand. Everyone should try Yum Neau at least once in their life! Here is how the internet responded to the question, “What country has the best food?”
10 Countries That Have The Best Food in the World
11 Reasons Europeans Dislike Americans
It is a common saying that Europeans hate Americans. Anti-Americanism is prejudice, fear, or hatred of the United States, its government, its foreign policy, or the American people in general. Why is it so common to dislike Americans?
11 Reasons Europeans Dislike Americans
