Organizing a road trip in the USA: all my tips
📍 Article updated in 2026 with new practical tips for organizing a road trip in the USA.
We have just returned from a 3-week road trip to the United States in New England (Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island…). A magnificent itinerary that allowed us to discover this American region at our own pace, traveling the roads between small villages, large cities, and beautiful landscapes.
If you are also planning a trip to this incredible country, you can find All my tips for organizing your stay on my guide page 👉 destination United States
Before publishing an article dedicated to Our favorites from this road trip in the USA, We wanted to start with a more practical article. Because organizing a road trip in the United States often raises many questions before departure.
On our part, several issues were of concern before we left: telephony and access to the internet on site, car rental for a road trip in the USA, the exchange rate and the use of our debit card, and the question of book hotels in advance or directly on site.
Whether you go for a few days or for Three weeks of road trip in the United States, Such a trip requires a minimum of preparation. In this article, we will therefore share with you all our practical tips for organizing a road trip in the USA, with the answers to the questions we asked ourselves before leaving.
📱 Having internet before starting your road trip in the USA
Before you start your road trip in the United States, I advise you to make sure that you have network access as soon as you arrive. This is essential for using Waze, Google Maps or Apple Plans, Find your hotel, identify a gas station, or simply get directions on the long American highways.
For our trip, we chose to order one E-SIM on the Holafly website before our departure. We received our eSIM a few days before the trip, which enabled us to be connected immediately upon arriving in the United States. I already talked about this solution two years ago in a previous article, and we now use it regularly when we travel.
The Holafly eSIM card It’s a very convenient solution for getting internet in the USA. Simply install the eSIM on your compatible smartphone and activate your plan before departure. The advantage is that there is no need to connect to a Wi-Fi network. no physical card to insert, It is not a complicated procedure to carry out once you are there.
Once activated, the eSIM allows you to immediately access the mobile networks partners in the United States. This way, you can enjoy a reliable internet connection throughout your road trip, Without having to look for a local SIM card or purchase a temporary package at the airport.
👉 And good news: You benefit from % 5% off your Holafly eSIM with the promo code TRAVELMEHAPPY.
This is clearly one of the simplest solutions to stay connected during a road trip in the USA, Especially when you travel through several countries.
🛡️ Travel insurance: indispensable for a road trip in the USA
As I talk about it on the blog every time, I never travel without travel insurance, and even less when we go on a United States. Medical costs are extremely high there, and even a minor trip to the emergency room can quickly cost several thousand dollars.
For this family road trip, we chose the’Heymondo travel insurance, which is a very complete solution for traveling with peace of mind.
With the’Heymondo insurance, You benefit from coverage adapted to travel abroad, including:
- the provision of support medical and hospitalization expenses
- a 24-hour medical assistance
- the cover in case cancellation or interruption of travel
- protection in the event of delay, loss or theft of luggage
This is clearly an essential safety measure when you go abroad for several weeks, especially for someone who is traveling alone. Road trip in the USA with the family.
👉 Good news: You benefit from % a 5% discount on your Heymondo travel insurance with the code TRAVEL_ME_HAPPY by going through my affiliate link.
Personally, it’s an insurance policy that I use regularly and that allows me to travel much more confidently.
🚗 Can you drive in the United States with a French license?
Good news: it is quite possible to Driving in the United States with a French license for a tourist stay.
In most American states, The French driving license is accepted to rent a car and drive during your trip.
However, some rental agencies recommend or sometimes require a deposit. International driver's license, Especially if your license is not in English. This document is simply an official translation of your license.
Personally, for our various trips and Road trips in the United States, We have always rented a car with our French license, Without any difficulty.
The international permit can nevertheless be an additional level of security, Especially if you plan to travel through several states during your road trip.
🚗 Renting a car for a road trip in the USA with BSP Auto
For one road trip in the United States, Car rental is obviously an essential step. As usual, we booked our vehicle with BSP Auto, a comparator that I use now for more than 8 years for my travels. And honestly, we have never been disappointed.
If I continue to pass through BSP Auto, It’s first of all because of reliability of the service. When renting a car abroad, we want to be sure that everything will go smoothly once we get there. With BSP Auto, all our rentals have always gone perfectly, which is really reassuring when you’re preparing for a trip. road trip in the USA.
The other advantage is the financial aspect. BSP Auto is a car rental comparison site, This allows you to compare the offers from different rental agencies. For the same type of vehicle, prices can sometimes vary enormously from one agency to another. With BSP Auto, you can easily find the most interesting tariff among several renters.
Another feature we really appreciate is the ability to add the option “Franchise reimbursement” with Mondial Assistance. For about 8 € per day, That way, you are covered in case of a problem. It’s much more reassuring, especially when you know that the deductible can sometimes reach 1 500 € in case of damage to the vehicle. Therefore, always remember to check that you have this amount available on your bank card at the time of the rental.
Finally, what we also like about BSP Auto, That’s because the rental options offered are often as close as possible to your place of residence, This is very convenient. During this trip to the United States, for example, we picked up our car just two blocks from our hotel in Manhattan.
For this road trip, we rented a car. Chevrolet Equinox. We were a little worried that our two large suitcases wouldn’t fit in the trunk, but in the end everything went smoothly: our two large suitcases, two carry-on suitcases, and our travel bags.
The car was really Very comfortable, With several USB ports to charge our phones and especially Apple CarPlay, This enabled us to connect our iPhones and use them. Waze directly on the car screen. In other words, it was super convenient for our road trip in the United States.
All these years, when we think car rental for a trip, We immediately think of BSP Auto.
⛽ How do you fill up a car with gasoline in the United States?
When one does an road trip in the USA, The first time you have to put petrol in can be a bit confusing.
In the United States, the majority of gas stations operate on self-service. It is normally enough to park at the pump, select the type of fuel, then pay directly at the pump using your bank card.
However, with European bank cards, It often happens that the payment does not operate directly at the pump. In this case, it is simply enough to enter the service station to pay inside.
The procedure is simple: you tell the cashier the number of your pump, You pay in advance the desired amount, then return to the pump to fill up the tank.
Regarding fuel, you will usually find several types of gasoline:
- Regular (the most used)
- Midgrade
- Premium
For a classic rental car during a road trip in the United States, Generally, you have to choose Regular, which is also the cheapest essence.
Good news for travelers: The gasoline is often cheaper than in Europe, This is quite appreciated when you’re traveling long distances on a road trip in the USA.
🅿️ How do parking lots work in the United States?
When you travel to the United States and you do one road trip, The question of parking often comes up.
In major cities like New York, Boston or San Francisco, Parking in the street is sometimes difficult and can be quite expensive. There are often parking meters or mobile applications to pay for parking directly from your phone.
In some neighborhoods, you also need to be careful with signs indicating the permitted parking times or the days of cleaning the streets. If you do not follow these rules, you risk receiving a fine.
In small towns or tourist areas, it’s usually much easier. You can easily find free or inexpensive parking, Especially near shops, parks, or attractions.
If you are staying at the hotel, always check if parking is included, Because in some major American cities the price can quickly rise.
💵 Should I buy dollars before I leave for the United States?
It’s a question that almost everyone asks before a trip: Do I need to change money before leaving or only pay with a debit card on site?
Personally, I always like to go with a little bit of liquid on me, Even though today you can almost pay everywhere in the United States using a credit card. This makes arriving more relaxed, especially for the first purchases, a taxi or a coffee.
If you want to change the money, I recommend you Do it in France before your departure rather than directly in the United States. On-site, currency exchange offices often apply very high commissions, And there are sometimes some opaque practices.
On our part, we order our currencies directly online on the website. ChangeGroup before leaving.
The service is simple and convenient:
- More than 60 currencies available
- % 0 commission on foreign exchange transactions
- Possibility of ordering your dollars online
- Retirement in the exchange office of your choice
If you are undecided about the amount to take with you, ChangeGroup also offers an interesting option called Buy-back guarantee. For 6,95 €, You can cash in the dollars you have left after your trip and ChangeGroup will buy them back. at the same initial exchange rate.
💳 Payment in the United States: bank card or cash?
In the United States, it is very easy to pay with a bank card. We used our cards Revolut and N26 No problems at the stores, boutiques, and attractions.
On the other hand, where I found It's more convenient to pay in cash, It’s in the bars, restaurants, snacks or cafes.
Why?
Because in the United States, the system of tip It is very present. When you pay with a bank card on the payment screen, you are automatically offered a percentage of tip to add.
À New York, For example, suggestions often start with 20 %, Then, 22.5 % or 25 %. Sometimes it feels like we don’t really have a choice.
When paying in cash, it is often It’s easier to manage the tip, Because you can leave the amount you want directly in cash.
❓ FAQ: Planning a road trip in the USA
What budget should I plan for a road trip in the USA?
The budget depends a lot on the length of the trip and the region visited.
On average, you need to plan for:
- car rental : 40 to 100 € per day
- hotels : 120 to 250 $ per night
- essence : cheaper than in Europe
- restaurants and tips
For one 3-week road trip in the USA, With a budget that can easily reach 3,000 € per person, Depending on the level of comfort chosen.
How much time should I plan for a road trip in the USA?
The ideal duration depends on the region you want to explore.
- 10 days : perfect for discovering a region
- 2 weeks Ideal for a balanced road trip
- 3 weeks or more : allows you to explore several states and take your time
For our road trip in New England, We left 3 weeks, This allowed us to discover several states without having to travel long distances.
Can you pay anywhere with a bank card in the United States?
Yes, the Bank card is accepted almost everywhere in the United States: hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions.
However, it is always useful to have a little cash, For example, for small purchases or tips.
Is it necessary to leave a tip in the United States?
Yes, the tip It is part of the American culture.
In restaurants with table service, it is generally recommended to leave:
- 18 to % 20 % the tip
In cafes or fast-food restaurants, it is not mandatory but it is often offered on payment terminals.
Can you drive in the United States with a French license?
Yes, you can Driving in the United States with a French license for a tourist stay.
Some agencies also recommend having one International permit, But in most cases a French license is sufficient to rent a car.
Is gasoline expensive in the United States?
Good news for travelers: The price of petrol is generally cheaper than in Europe.
During a road trip in the USA, This allows for long distances to be covered without breaking the transport budget.
Gomez
8 November 2022
Thank you very much for sharing this experience of tipping.
Whouahouu, what a lot of money it is to tally up these tips at the end of the day.