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This has been sat in my drafts for shall we say a little bit too long. But here is Volume three of my USA Road Tips Series. You can read part one here and two here.
Welcome back to the Wandering part of Wandering Curiosities. Lets kick off part three with more driving in America tips …
1. Toll Roads
In the UK there are a few toll roads around but over all most roads you don’t have to pay to drive on. When we’re in the USA we normally try to stick to the back roads and avoid the interstates. But sometimes we’ve come across toll roads on the instate more so in Florida then anywhere else. Now tolls seem to have 2 main lanes to choose from an electronic system that you pre pay for like E-Z Pass and Sun Pass depending on the state and cash booths for those without the pass. Car hire companies often try to sell you the electronic pass and it’s totally up to you if you take it. (We did for Florida because driving on the interstate a lot, not only between the Disney parks but also along the coast we got our moneys worth.) If you decide not to take the electronic pass the tolls are not terrifying. You either throw some change into a bucket and barriers lower then you drive off. Keep your quarters in a pot as most seem to be around the 50c to $1.25 and don’t give change. If not a chuck and go bucket, there is a person that lives in booth. You roll up pay the lady get your change and off you go. Not scary at all. There are always prices as you approach and arrows pointing you towards the correct lane. If you drive though the pass lanes and you don’t have a pass, you can expect a bill in the post from the hire company at a later date.
2. Police
There is a chance you may get pulled by the police. We’ve driven over 5000miles across the states and been pulled once. And that was when Kevin was speeding a little in Texas. We were lucky and got a way with a stern warning but it was an experience I didn’t want to repeat. So what to do if you get pulled over. Same as at home really; be polite, honest and stay calm. We pulled over to the hard shoulder, the officer came over to the passenger side and spoke to Kevin. He wanted to see a copy of the rental agreement and Kevin’s license (we also handed over his international driving permits), asked us where we were going and what we were doing in the states. Told us to watch our speed and that if he wanted to he could take us in front of a judge and fine us mega bucks. Then Mr Nice Officer let us on our way.
3. Roadside Attractions
Honestly these are my favourite thing about driving across America. From giant papier-mache dinosaurs eating a miniature person, to concrete wigwams and the worlds 2nd largest rocking chair. These places are in my opinion totally worth pulling over for. I’ve met not only wonderful people at these roadside attractions, I’ve purchased some awesome gift shop products and 99% of the time they are independently run. The people that run these are often just as quirky as the attractions them selves. Ask them where to go for dinner you never know where you will end up.
4. Just enjoy the drive!
This is the last in the mini series of American road trip tips written by a British Gal who loves adventure! If you have any questions please feel free to ask away.
In Illinois, We have our own Toll Pass called “iPass.” Its a little transponder thing that you stick in your windshield of your car and drive through the Open Road Tolling Lanes. There are a few benefits of this. One of them is you don’t have to stop and the other is you get a 50% discount on the tolls vs Paying in cash. Our “iPass” system also allows you to roam into some other states that are on the EZPass system.
These are some great tips! I’d love to go on an American road trip, but I’d definitely be nervous about being pulled over haha xx
@chloedickenson:disqus You should not be worried about being pulled over. As long as you are driving safely and not using your phone or speeding, you will be fine! If by chance you do get pulled over, here are some tips:
1 – Turn down radio, put windows down and put hands on wheel.
2 – The officer will ask “Do you know why i pulled you over”, If you do know why (Speeding, Phone, etc) ADMIT IT to them. This will make them go a lot easier on you.
3 – Declare anything that could harm the officer in the car (Firearm, etc) before reaching for anything (ID’s, Rental Agreement, etc)
4 – Be courteous and Yes Sir or No Mame.
Ahh, I miss road trips. Reading this gave me a little nostalgia as my family used to go on annual road trips to Florida. These tips are wonderful!
I have never been to America, but I always see like the American roads in films. The roads always look so cool to drive on! I feel like there would be so much to see!
Sophia xo // https://sophiaaaxo.com
I remember the last time I was in Flordia we ran out of change at the tolls and were stuck for hours at the side of the road figuring out what to do. Great tips for anyone thinking of a USA roadtrip x
I’ve never been to America, It’s on my places to visit though. Driving doesn’t seem as easy there as it does in the uk!