Driving in the United States

Overview

The United States is the ultimate road trip destination. With an extensive interstate highway system spanning over 48,000 miles, diverse landscapes from coast to coast, and a deeply car-centric culture, driving is often the best — and sometimes only — way to explore the country.

The US drives on the right side of the road, and most roads are well-maintained with clear signage. The sheer size of the country means distances between cities can be enormous, so plan accordingly.

License & Documents

Foreign licenses: Accepted in most states for visitors. No IDP is legally required at the federal level, but some states recommend or require one
IDP recommended: Having an International Driving Permit alongside your domestic license is helpful, especially if your license is not in English
State variations: Driving laws vary by state — each state sets its own speed limits, BAC limits for under-21 drivers, and cell phone laws
Minimum driving age: Varies by state (14-17 for learner’s permits, 16-18 for full licenses)

Rules of the Road

Drive on the right, overtake on the left
Right turn on red: Permitted in most states after a complete stop, unless posted otherwise
Speed limits: Vary significantly by state. Texas has the highest at 85 mph; Hawaii is one of the lowest at 60 mph
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): 0.08% for drivers 21+; 0.00-0.02% for under 21
Seat belts: Mandatory in all states except New Hampshire (adults only)
School buses: You must stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended — this applies in both directions on undivided roads
Move Over laws: Most states require you to move over or slow down when passing emergency vehicles on the roadside
Carpool/HOV lanes: Major cities have High Occupancy Vehicle lanes requiring 2+ passengers

Road Conditions & Types

Interstate Highways

Designated by “I-” prefix (e.g., I-95, I-10)
Multi-lane divided highways, generally high quality
Even-numbered interstates run east-west; odd-numbered run north-south
Rest areas and welcome centers are common along interstates

US & State Routes

Good quality, often scenic alternatives to interstates
“US-” prefix for federal routes, state abbreviation for state routes

City Driving

Major cities (LA, NYC, Chicago, Houston) can have significant congestion
Street parking is often metered; parking garages in downtown areas
Many cities have aggressive driving cultures — stay alert

Rural Roads

Can be long and isolated, especially in western states
Check fuel levels regularly — gas stations can be far apart
Watch for wildlife (deer are a major hazard)

Fuel & Charging

Fuel types: Regular (87), Mid-grade (89), Premium (91/93) — octane ratings differ from European system
Prices: Approximately $3.00-4.50/gallon, varies greatly by state (cheapest in Texas/Oklahoma, most expensive in California/Hawaii)
Self-service: standard at most stations. Some states (Oregon) have attendant-pumping laws
Payment: Credit/debit cards at the pump; some pumps require a US ZIP code for foreign cards — pay inside if this happens
EV charging: Growing network via Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America, ChargePoint

Parking

Metered parking: Common in cities. Many now accept apps (ParkMobile, PayByPhone)
Hydrant rule: Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
Color-coded curbs: Red = no parking, yellow = loading only, green = short-term, white = passenger drop-off, blue = disabled
Towing: Very common in cities for illegal parking
Parking garages: $10-60/day in major cities

Tolls & Fees

Toll roads: Common in the Northeast (NJ Turnpike, PA Turnpike), Florida, Texas, and Illinois
Electronic tolling: Many toll roads are cashless — rent a transponder (E-ZPass, SunPass, TxTag) with your rental car
Bridges & tunnels: Often have separate tolls (e.g., Golden Gate Bridge: $9.75)
Rental car tolling: Most rental companies offer a toll transponder for $5-15/day

Car Rental Tips

Major companies: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National — Enterprise is the largest
Age surcharge: Drivers under 25 typically pay an additional $20-30/day
Automatic transmission: Standard — almost all rental cars are automatic
Insurance: Your credit card may provide CDW coverage. Check before purchasing the rental company’s insurance
One-way rentals: Available but may incur drop-off fees ($50-200+)
Gas policy: Usually full-to-full; avoid prepaid fuel options

Emergency Information

Service	Number
Police / Fire / Ambulance	911
Highway Patrol (non-emergency)	HP (47) in some states
Roadside Assistance (AAA)	1-800-222-4357
Poison Control	1-800-222-1222

Call 911 for any emergency — it works from any phone, even without a SIM card
In an accident: Move to safety if possible, call 911, exchange insurance info, file a police report
AAA membership provides roadside assistance nationwide

Cultural Tips

Tipping is expected: If using valet parking, tip $2-5 when your car is returned
Four-way stops: When multiple cars arrive at a 4-way stop simultaneously, the car to the right goes first. In practice, the first to arrive goes first
Friendly but fast: American drivers are generally courteous but drive assertively
Road rage: Avoid aggressive gestures; road rage incidents can escalate
Police stops: If pulled over, stay in your car, keep hands visible, turn on interior light at night, and be polite
Gas stations as rest stops: Many double as convenience stores (Wawa, Buc-ee’s, Love’s)