NFR: Question about America.. Or Brit who has driven there

[cottage cheese]

My house mate and I are driving from Florida to Nevada in the spring/summer. We are both 25 and held driving licenses for over 3 years with no points etc

The question I have is how easy is it to get car insurance as we intend to just buy a cheap car in Florida somewhere? Im assuming buying a car will be a straightforward process especially a second hand one?

Cheers

[Texas White]

Contact the rental car companies and see if they need any vehicles returned north. They tend to get a glut in the tourist locations so offerspecial deals to get them out.
Buying, maintaining and insuring seems a whole lot of extra effort.
What you save up front will probably bite you in the arse later.
Good luck

Are you planning on visiting texas?

[cottage cheese]

Contact the rental car companies and see if they need any vehicles returned north. They tend to get a glut in the tourist locations so offerspecial deals to get them out.
Buying, maintaining and insuring seems a whole lot of extra effort.
What you save up front will probably bite you in the arse later.
Good luck

Are you planning on visiting texas?

I would have thought renting would have been more? I will def be checking it out thanks!

Well our planned route is start in Florida visit Georgia, Alabama,Missippi,Louisiana Texas (of course!) and we still are yet to decide where to go from there.

[FFCAli]

I didn't find it easy but that was 40 years ago and things could have changed.  It may help if you currently have UK insurance  -  you might be able to use the same company.  Buying a car won't be a problem but registering it probably will be unless you have a US address you can use.  Texas White's suggestion makes sense.  you wouldn't be paying standard rental rates if they need the car delivered to Nevada.

[Logicalman]

You might discover renting one would be the best bet, as you are looking to drive the best part of 2500 miles and 40 hours driving time.

If you buy a cheap car you have little guarantee it will be up to the journey, or anywhere near as comfortable as you'll need, and what if you break down? And insurance, though you are at the magic age of 25 in the US, might not come as cheap as you might want, especially short term insurance.

If you get a rental, you pay a bit for the rent (are you driving one-way or returning?), but you will have to check with your own insurance company back home whether they cover rentals abroad, and take out the extra damage waiver. The, if you are not happy with the car or it breaks down you should have some coverage with the rental company.

If you're doing Florida - Nevada, then you will likely be passing by a number of us ex-pats over here in the south, depending on whether you take I-40, I-20 or I-10 (the latter will take you through New Orleans, the former through Memphis and the middle one through Dallas), so make sure you get in touch before coming over then you can at least have some contacts over here should something happen (and a couple of watering holes for the journey).

[JohnKovacs]

I would call your current insurance company and explain the details. I'm sure you work out something with them to get the new car insured for the trip.

[Southcoastffc]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my wife and I are thinking about an Arizona/West Coast   trip in late November through perhaps all December 2014.  We will be visiting a relative in Phoenix AZ for about 4/5 days but other than that have no fixed plans/commitments.  Not really interested in LA or Las Vegas but Tucson, San Diego, San Francisco, Yosemite, Flagstaff, Death Valley, Sedona are currently figuring in our random thoughts.  Crazy time of year to go???  (We don't have much say in that for various reasons.)  All comments welcome!

[Logicalman]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my wife and I are thinking about an Arizona/West Coast   trip in late November through perhaps all December 2014.  We will be visiting a relative in Phoenix AZ for about 4/5 days but other than that have no fixed plans/commitments.  Not really interested in LA or Las Vegas but Tucson, San Diego, San Francisco, Yosemite, Flagstaff, Death Valley, Sedona are currently figuring in our random thoughts.  Crazy time of year to go???  (We don't have much say in that for various reasons.)  All comments welcome!

Unless we get another winter storm like the one we just had, then the areas you are interested in should provide great views, great driving and little bother with weather.

Contact RidgeRider regarding Ca, and/or look at the members map thread -  Google map of members locations.   map - FoF Members Map   - thanks to MJG for the updates

[horse1031]

A rental car would be pretty expensive if you wanted to use it for an extended period of time.  Maybe you could find a good deal on one for a week or so to drive to your destination and then figure something out for transportation once you get there?  Rental car companies provide insurance which i have never used because my car insurance has always covered it.

Edit:  Over Spring Break one year some buddies and I rented a car from the northern midwest to the bottom tip of Texas.  We were gone for 10 days and it was a 25 hour drive both ways and I think it costed about $450-500.  I have also rented a car, and was able to return it to the same company in a different city.  I think that was Enterprise or Hertz but I would check around.

San Diego is known for having the best climate of any place in the states.  75 and sunny every single day.  I would hit the beach a day or two to get a feel for that.  Lot of great beaches up and down the coast.  Yosemite would be a lot of fun as well!

Buying a car would be a huge hassle.  Registering, insuring, selling.  Believe me, that would be annoying.

[Logicalman]

A rental car would be pretty expensive if you wanted to use it for an extended period of time.  Maybe you could find a good deal on one for a week or so to drive to your destination and then figure something out for transportation once you get there?  Rental car companies provide insurance which i have never used because my car insurance has always covered it.

San Diego is known for having the best climate of any place in the states.  75 and sunny every single day.  I would hit the beach a day or two to get a feel for that.  Lot of great beaches up and down the coast.  Yosemite would be a lot of fun as well!

Great point made there Mr Horse.

[Aaron]

I'd echo the sentiments of the above..

The whole car rental infrastructure is really a hell of a lot better in the US than here in the UK, you don't really want to be driving 2000 miles in 100 degree heat with no aircon in a car that smells like something died in it only to break down in the middle of nowhere without any form of backup plan.  You also need to consider the wasted time spent trying to locate a car, buy it, insure it, service it and when you're journey is up to dispose of it.  Much better to rent a shiny new car that everything works in and really get on with just enjoying your journey..

The killer is going to be the "one-way" fee unless you can negotiate something with the rental company, you could be looking at $1000+ given the distances involved.  Starting in somewhere like Miami though, there's a fair chance you'll be able to do as Texas White suggests and find a car they need returned somewhere else, it doesn't have to be your final destination even, you could take one going back anywhere on your chosen route, it'll save you a lot of money if you can..

[cottage cheese]

Cheers guys. Looks like its back to the drawing board car wise. My friend has family in New York (he is half American) so we could always use his Uncles as an address if we wanted to buy if worst came to worst. The rental option does make more sense to be honest and will try and work out what do from Texas then if needs be. It would be one way as we intend to fly out of our final destination (wherever that may be which is exciting).

Logicalman yes don't worry, I will make sure I get a few contacts before I go so have a few numbers in case. Oh def will be looking for tips etc.

[Logicalman]

just to add to AArons good points, you might find it more expensive to rent from an airport than a local place, but for dropoff you might just have to pick an airport.  Also watch out for MPG (town/highway), gas is about USD3.00 - USD3.40 a gallon in the south currently.


Checkout Avis rental:

example:
Pick-up Information
Location: Miami Intl Airport, Miami, MIA
Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 2014 @ 09:00 AM

Return Information
Location: McCarran Intl Airport, Las Vegas, LAS
Date & Time: Saturday, May 31, 2014 @ 09:00 AM

Renter Information
AWD: N/A
Rate Type: Lowest
Rate Code: N/A
Wizard Number: N/A
Age: 25+   
Residence: United Kingdom
Coupon: N/A


You will need at least a midsize, prefereably a full size, and these are the examoples for that .. (remember paynow is cheaper than pay later)

Standard Nissan Altima Coupe or similar  (MPG 23/32 - 2 Doors - Air Conditioning - Automatic)
Pay Now: 458.53   
Pay Later: 543.90

Full Size  Chevrolet Impala or similar (MPG 18/29 - 4 Door - AM/FM Radio - Air Conditioning - Cruise Control - Automatic)
Pay Now: 489.51
Pay Later: 543.90    

Premium Chrysler 300 or similar (MPG 18/29 - 4 Door - CD Player - Air Conditioning - Automatic)
Pay Now:  607.24
Pay Later: 674.72

[panixs]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I was planning on asking a very similar question and didnt want to start a second thread.

Me and my fiance are planning to fly to vegas in august and get married. We both have three weeks off and were thinking for a honeymoon to drive across america. I have heard the further south you stay the better (we have both done New york Etc before as well) so we were looking at getting to orlando maybe for a couple of days in the parks at the end.

So first question would this be possible in the two 1/2 weeks left to drive that far with time to see places along the way?

Also can anyone reconmend some places that we should abosulty vist. We already have the Grand Canyon and New orleans penciled in but am very open to suggestions.

Thanks and once again sorry to cottage cheese for hijacking his thread.

[Logicalman]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I was planning on asking a very similar question and didnt want to start a second thread.

Me and my fiance are planning to fly to vegas in august and get married. We both have three weeks off and were thinking for a honeymoon to drive across america. I have heard the further south you stay the better (we have both done New york Etc before as well) so we were looking at getting to orlando maybe for a couple of days in the parks at the end.

So first question would this be possible in the two 1/2 weeks left to drive that far with time to see places along the way?

Also can anyone reconmend some places that we should abosulty vist. We already have the Grand Canyon and New orleans penciled in but am very open to suggestions.

Thanks and once again sorry to cottage cheese for hijacking his thread.

If you're just looking to visit the parks, then you might find those in California are easier ( drive time: 10 hours) than Florida (38 hours) to reach. New Orleans is a great place to visit, but 28 hours away from GC though is on the way to Florida, of course.

Remember, 38 hours drive time will take you a minimum 2 days with no overnight stops, 3 days comfortably, so it's feasible in the timeframe you mention, though you might cut it thin, and won't have too much time for sight-seeing.

I would forego the theme parks and take the time to visit the beautiful country and sights of the western States in the time you have, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Yosemite NP, etc, and leave the Theme Parks for a quick fly-in / fly-out  vacation another time.

As per my other response, remember to contact some of the members in the areas you will be visiting, and get some local contact numbers should you need assistance. It's a different country and even though we all speak the same words, they may not always have the same meaning when trouble strikes.

[Vinnieffc]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I was planning on asking a very similar question and didnt want to start a second thread.

Me and my fiance are planning to fly to vegas in august and get married. We both have three weeks off and were thinking for a honeymoon to drive across america. I have heard the further south you stay the better (we have both done New york Etc before as well) so we were looking at getting to orlando maybe for a couple of days in the parks at the end.

So first question would this be possible in the two 1/2 weeks left to drive that far with time to see places along the way?

Also can anyone reconmend some places that we should abosulty vist. We already have the Grand Canyon and New orleans penciled in but am very open to suggestions.

Thanks and once again sorry to cottage cheese for hijacking his thread.

Congrats on the wedding mate. Me and Missus Vinnie got married in Vegas 3 years ago and dispite the obvious 'Was Elvis There' comments, it was brilliant. If you haven't chosen a location for the ceremony yet, I'd recommend 'The little Church of the West'. Stuck in  between the Freeway and the airport runway but a lovely spot and actually quite classy !! Good luck to you and yours  049:gif

[HatterDon]

Contact the rental car companies and see if they need any vehicles returned north. They tend to get a glut in the tourist locations so offerspecial deals to get them out.
Buying, maintaining and insuring seems a whole lot of extra effort.
What you save up front will probably bite you in the arse later.
Good luck

Are you planning on visiting texas?

Please consider what TW is saying. You're going to be driving through tornado country, driving rain, high winds, 100+ temperatures, mountains, desert etc. The LAST thing you want is a "cheap car" that you just bought. Discovering why it was cheap in the first place is not what you want your trip to be all about. The car rental idea is the only solid one.

Have fun, although as a native, I'd say the LAST two places in the US I'd want to visit are Nevada and Florida.

[YankeeJim]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my wife and I are thinking about an Arizona/West Coast   trip in late November through perhaps all December 2014.  We will be visiting a relative in Phoenix AZ for about 4/5 days but other than that have no fixed plans/commitments.  Not really interested in LA or Las Vegas but Tucson, San Diego, San Francisco, Yosemite, Flagstaff, Death Valley, Sedona are currently figuring in our random thoughts.  Crazy time of year to go???  (We don't have much say in that for various reasons.)  All comments welcome!

Plan any trip in the areas you mentioned with the consideration that the mountain passes through the High Sierra will likely be closed in the winter months. Only the main freeways are kept open and they can close when a storm comes through. Every heard of the Donner party.

[YankeeJim]

My house mate and I are driving from Florida to Nevada in the spring/summer. We are both 25 and held driving licenses for over 3 years with no points etc

The question I have is how easy is it to get car insurance as we intend to just buy a cheap car in Florida somewhere? Im assuming buying a car will be a straightforward process especially a second hand one?

Cheers

The cheap car idea is a bad one. Any break down out in the hinder land would involve a lengthy wait, followed by a very expensive tow bill and than a hefty repair bill.
As a non resident insurance would be available but would carry a price tag you might not like. That being said, don't drive without it.

BTW, after your trip you'll appreciate just how big the US is. Skip Nevada nothing there except casinos and desert. Try Utah. Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks are worth a look. Take your hiking boots and take a stroll in Zion. Really nice. That and the Grand Canyon. Yea its just a big hole but my God, what a hole!. Words and photos don't do it justice. Stop by northern LA County and I'll buy you a beer.

[MasterHaynes]

Cheers guys. Looks like its back to the drawing board car wise. My friend has family in New York (he is half American) so we could always use his Uncles as an address if we wanted to buy if worst came to worst. The rental option does make more sense to be honest and will try and work out what do from Texas then if needs be. It would be one way as we intend to fly out of our final destination (wherever that may be which is exciting).

Logicalman yes don't worry, I will make sure I get a few contacts before I go so have a few numbers in case. Oh def will be looking for tips etc.

Just be very careful if your picking up a rental in Florida, especially if you prepay over the internet. The Car Rental companies have developed some very sharp practices especially on Brits. Check your pink slip before you leave the desk for any extras added if you do not want a huge credit card bill on your return to UK when it is very difficult to get your money back, the credit card companies don't want to know.