Discover the West Coast on your road trip in the USA
Route 66, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills… sound familiar? The American West Coast is as legendary for its wide-open spaces as it is for its eccentricity. Going to the West Coast on a road trip is a memorable experience that requires a minimum of preparation, whether you prefer wilderness camping and hiking or hotels and idleness.
For a road trip to the USAyou need…
…get to know the American West
Before venturing to the U.S. for a few days or weeks, it’s essential to know where to go! The United States of America is made up of 50 states. The American West includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The West Coast is renowned for its natural landscapes, each more grandiose than the last. We’re referring in particular to Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone, Monument Valley, the colorful Antelope Canyon and the famous Death Valley.
Of course, if hiking isn’t your favorite pastime, beaches and big cities are also on the agenda. These include the beaches of Santa Monica, the Universal Studios theme park and the sin city known to all: Las Vegas!
So, which road trip style suits you best?
Knowing when to go
On the list of things to do before you leave, there’s the choice of period. The U.S. remains a very touristy country, especially during the high season. The tourist season runs from May to October, and the high season from mid-June to the end of September.
The period chosen for a road trip to the USA is important, not only for reasons of profitability, but also for the possibility of touring. Indeed, some roads and parks may be closed during the cold winter months:
- the Tioga Road (crossing the Sierra Nevada between San Francisco and Death Valley) is closed between November and May;
- The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only open from May 15 to October 15;
- visiting Sequoia National Park sometimes requires chains.
Rent a car
There are several types of rental car. The choice depends on the number of people taking part in your West Coast road trip USA and of course the budget:
- economy: a minimum of $30/day. However, this category is not suitable for road trips, as these are small cars;
- compact: this category fits 2 suitcases in the trunk;
- then intermediate, standard, full-size, premium, luxury and SUV categories.
There are other factors to consider when planning your West Coast tour :
- an international license is not required if you’re traveling within the U.S. for less than 90 days. Be careful, however, as each state has its own rules. For more information, we suggest you visit usa.gov ;
- Insurance premiums are higher for young drivers aged 21 to 25 ($30/day);
- the credit card used for the deposit must be in the same name as the driver’s license and valid passport;
- Gasoline in the United States costs between €3.50 and €3.99 per gallon (one gallon equals 4L).
Well-known car rental agencies include Alamo, Dollar, Avis, Hertz and Sixt.
Travel tips: American roads are notoriously long. It’s a good idea to prepare a playlist of your favorite tunes or create a blind test that will make the drive go by faster.
Note: if you want to ride a Harley on Route 66, it’s possible! Motorcycle travel is becoming increasingly popular in the USA, and is a great way for two-wheeled enthusiasts to make their dreams come true.
Know your budget
If you choose to go in May or October, it’s possible to get a good deal and reduce your total budget by 20-30%. The months from November to April are equally attractive periods in terms of cost, but the choice of West Coast tour will be more limited due to snow-covered roads.
Remember that the way you travel will also have an impact on the final price: an urban trip is bound to cost more than a trip to the mountains.
To help you calculate the various costs of the trip, here are the main expense items:
- 14 for ESTA authorization (this authorization allows you to be exempt from visa requirements for temporary stays of up to 90 days);
- from $300 to $1,200 for airfare (prices vary according to airline and arrival/return period);
- from €20 to €70 for car rental (prices vary according to period and type of car);
- between 35 and 90 centimes per liter of petrol;
- about €20/night for a motel, €100/night for a hotel in the West and from €0 to €40/night for camping;
- 10/person for fast food, €20/person for a real meal (don’t forget tips).
Then there’s the cost of insurance, the telephone package and the activities you wish to undertake.
Our recommendations for a West Coast tour
There are many possible USA road trips on the West Coast. Pour vous aiguiller, voici quelques exemples de lieux à visiter durant un USA West Coast tour :
- San Francisco: a must-see city in the USA, very popular with Europeans and an interesting starting point for a road trip. Attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Victorian houses of Alamo Square, Chinatown and Lombard Street.
- Yosemite National Park: located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its giant sequoias, granite domes and waterfalls, it can be reached via the magnificent Tioga Road.
- Encounter with the Giant Sequoias: a must-see in the Sierra Nevada.
- Mono Lake, nicknamed California’s Dead Sea, is located in the Sierra Nevada desert, east of Yosemite Park. This lake is an ecosystem in which several species of birds take part.
- Death Valley: an immense desert, around 50 degrees in summer, with no shade (hence the origin of its name), but well worth the detour!
Today, you can even tailor-make your own trip thanks to websites specializing in road trips in the USA and discover the Rockies, national parks and other natural wonders without the time-consuming process of planning.
We wish you a wonderful trip to the United States!