As a travel experience, it is hard to beat the USA. From the skyscrapers of New York to the beaches of California, to the national parks of Utah and Wyoming, and the thousands of small towns across the 50 mainland states, there’s no shortage of places to explore. But with the country spanning a whopping 3.79 million square miles, getting from one destination to another can quickly become a bit of a headache if you haven’t planned ahead.
Indeed, a little preparation can save you a lot of time, money and frustration, which is why choosing the right transport, staying connected and packing wisely can all make a noticeable difference.
With that in mind, here is how to travel across the USA without any hassle.
What Is the Easiest Way to Travel Across the USA?
Given how big the country is, there isn’t one perfect way to travel across the USA. Every travel itinerary will be different. So, the best option will naturally depend on where you’re going, how much time you have and your budget.
For major cities that are far apart, such as New York and San Francisco or Chicago and Los Angeles, flying is usually the quickest choice. You can complete these journeys in a few hours as opposed to days by driving or on the Greyhound bus or Amtrak train.
That said, if you’re planning to explore smaller towns, national parks or scenic regions, hiring a car gives you far more flexibility. It’s possible to get to many destinations by bus or train, but if you drive, you’ll be able to stop whenever something catches your eye rather than sticking to a transport timetable.
If you don’t fancy driving on the other side of the road, trains can be a particularly enjoyable way to get around, particularly if you’d like to see more of the countryside. They aren’t always the fastest way to travel in America, but routes such as California Zephyr and Empire Builder are known for offering spectacular scenery.
Why Should You Plan Your Route Before You Book Anything?
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make when travelling to the USA is underestimating just how large the country really is.
Driving from New York to Los Angeles takes about 5 days. Even destinations that seem close together on a map can take significantly longer to complete than you might expect, once you factor in road conditions, traffic, weather and sightseeing stops.
Before booking any accommodation or transport, it is a good idea to map out the destinations you genuinely want to visit. You may also want to consider grouping nearby attractions together instead of crossing the country multiple times.
For example, you could spend some time extensively exploring the West Coast, which might involve visiting San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Then head over to the East Coast to explore New York, Boston, Washington DC and Miami.
It is also advisable to leave some flexibility in your itinerary. The chances are you will discover somewhere you’d like to stay an extra day or find a scenic stop that wasn’t originally on your list.
How Can an eSIM Make Your Trip Easier?
When you arrive in the USA, it is good to have reliable mobile data at your disposal. Most travellers use their phone dozens of times each day to access maps, read restaurant reviews, book rideshare services, make online bookings and find nearby attractions.
Unfortunately, international roaming from Australia can become expensive, while relying solely on public Wi-Fi isn’t always practical. That’s why it’s worth choosing a good eSIM for the United States (for example Saily), as it lets you connect to mobile networks shortly after arriving without swapping physical SIM cards. Some providers allow you to install everything before leaving Australia, so your phone is ready as soon as your flight lands.
Having mobile data available also makes unexpected situations much easier to deal with. So, if, for instance, your flight changes, your accommodation sends updated check-in instructions, or you need roadside assistance during a road trip, you’ll be able to access the information immediately.
Which Apps Will Save You Time While Travelling?
As most travellers will tell you, having the right apps installed before departure can make your experience much simpler and more enjoyable.
Google Maps remains one of the most useful tools for driving, walking and public transport directions. Likewise, if you plan to catch planes, then flight tracking apps such as FlightView keep you updated about delays, gate changes and cancellations.
You’ll no doubt need a place to stay wherever you visit, so it’s worth downloading a host of accommodation apps to your phone. This might include Booking.com, Airbnb, HotelTonight (for last-minute deals), and Hostelworld, depending on where you would like to stay.
If you intend to visit national parks such as Yosemite or Yellowstone, you’ll find the NPS app to be extremely useful. It provides information on trail maps, visitor information and alerts about road closures or weather conditions. Additionally, weather apps like The Weather Channel are good to have because you can easily monitor changes across different states and seasons.
Lastly, food delivery and restaurant booking apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats can also be good to use when you’d rather not spend time searching for somewhere to eat.
How Can You Save Money While Travelling Around the USA?
There is a view that travelling across America is very expensive, and while this is true, it can be more affordable than people think with a bit of pre-planning.
For example, if you book flights and accommodation several months ahead, you can often secure lower prices. Especially if you travel during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn, when crowds are usually smaller and prices are lower.
If you’re visiting several national parks, you can save a lot of money by purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass, which provides discounted entry. You may also want to avoid paying for expensive tourist attractions, in favour of exploring free museum days, scenic walking trails, public beaches and lively neighbourhoods.
Finally, while food is a major part of the travel experience in the USA, choosing accommodation with kitchen facilities will allow you to save money by preparing some meals instead of eating out every day.
