When we talk about road-trips, it’s impossible not to think of the United States. It is indeed the ideal destination to set off on the roads and discover incredible and very different landscapes over the kilometres. In the United States, the expanses are very vast and depending on the state, the environment can change completely. It is indeed possible to cross giant cities and to find a few kilometers away a desert or else immense forests. If the road-trip seduces more and more travelers, it is not a getaway like the others. It is indeed necessary to prepare it very well so as not to face unpleasant surprises. Even though improvisation is also an integral part of the road trip experience, it is always better to plan certain things.
Summary
- 1) Choose the road-trip area
- 2) Settle the administrative procedures
- 3) Book the flight(s)
- 4) Find transportation
- 5) Book accommodation
- 6) Book activities on site
1) Choose the road-trip area
You know it: the United States is a very vast country and many places can give rise to a road trip. You must therefore inform yourself well beforehand in order to know what kind of landscapes you want to see in order to select an area that will be likely to please you. If road trips in California are the most common, it is not the only place in the United States that can give rise to such a trip, quite the contrary. It is indeed a country made up of 50 states and which has an area equivalent to 14 times the size of France . You are therefore spoiled for choice. You should also find out about the ideal time to go to the chosen area.The climate is indeed not the same throughout the country and you will benefit more if you choose a time when the weather is pleasant.
2) Settle the administrative procedures
As for any other trip, you must take care of all the administrative part in order to leave in good conditions. Thanks to the French passport, you do not need a visa (unless you have already traveled to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria, Sudan or Somalia). However, you will have to, like all travelers who go to the United States, apply for an electronic travel authorization , also called Esta , before your departure. The Esta United States allows you to travel to the country for a minimum of 90 days . This is a document which is valid for 2 years and which thus allows you to go there several timesduring this period without making a new request.
You must also ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport . If this is not the case, you can have it done at a town hall equipped with a registration station . The deadlines for obtaining this vary depending on the time of year, but are generally a few weeks .
3) Book the flight(s)
Depending on the route you have chosen, you may have to take several planes during your road trip. This is why it is essential to know what you are going to do on site. Do not hesitate to book your flights several months in advance in order to take advantage of advantageous rates .
4) Find transportation
Most road-trips today are done by car , van or motorhome . You must therefore choose which means will best suit your needs and your trip . Do not hesitate to consult various forums for this , which can provide very useful advice on the subject. That said, some travelers turn to less traditional means of transport : cycling, hitchhiking or even public transport. Depending on your destination in the United States, you should be well informed about the transportation options that will be available to you.
5) Book accommodation
If you choose to travel by car and stop each night in a different place , you will have to organize yourself a minimum to know in which cities you are going to sleep. After choosing your itinerary, you will need to book all the nights beforehand so as not to have any unpleasant surprises once there. This is a real time and money saver . Dealing with this at the last minute can actually cost you dearly as prices tend to increase dramatically for last minute bookings .
6) Book activities on site
In principle, your itinerary takes shape over the activities you want to do on site. All of your outings will tell you which routes to take, so it’s best to be sure of yourself . For this, it is in your best interest to check availability and book everything possible in advance . Once again, you will save a lot of time and above all avoid unpleasant surprises.
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