How to Travel in the USA — What to Know Before Your Trip

Introduction

The USA is vast — 50 states, 6 time zones, continental distances. Traveling differs from Europe. This guide will help avoid common pitfalls, fines, and inconveniences.

Car Rental

• Required: driver's license (Polish + translation or IDP), age 21+ (younger: surcharge 25-35 USD/day), credit card
• IDP (international): available at PZM, approx. 100 PLN; valid for 12 months; DOES NOT replace Polish driver's license
• Price: 35-80 USD/day + taxes (which can double the price)
• Insurance: Liability/LDW/CDW — check if your credit card covers it (Visa Signature, Amex Platinum do)
• Polish OC does NOT work — you must have American insurance
• Companies: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis (more expensive); Sixt, Alamo (average); Turo (peer-to-peer, cheaper)

Tolls

• Most Interstates are free
• Paid: NJ Turnpike, NY Thruway, PA Turnpike, FL Turnpike, Illinois Tollway (I-90, I-294)
• E-ZPass — electronic in 19 states in the NE USA; ask about a transponder when renting a car
• Without E-ZPass: license plate photo + invoice by mail + admin fee
• Rental without E-ZPass = 80-200 USD "convenience fees"

National Parks

• America the Beautiful Pass — 80 USD/year, entry to 63 parks + thousands of sites; pays off after 3-4 parks
• Top for first visit: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, Glacier
• Reservations: recreation.gov; 3-6 months in advance
• Camping: 25-45 USD/night; "boondocking" on BLM land is free
• Safety: keep distance from wildlife, water (desert), flashlight

Domestic Flights

• REAL ID from 2025 — REAL ID, passport, or Enhanced ID; regular driver's license is NOT sufficient
• Luggage: 35-50 USD per suitcase
• Low-cost: Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant (extremely cheap but everything costs extra)
• Mainline: Delta, United, American — more included in the price
• TSA PreCheck — 78 USD/5 years, faster screening

Safety

• Generally safe in tourist areas
• After dark: avoid lonely neighborhoods in large cities
• DO NOT leave visible items in the car — window break-in in 30 seconds
• Police: hands visible, calm, do not make sudden movements; "Officer, I am from Poland, my English is limited"
• 911 — emergency services, police, fire

When to Go

• Florida: October-April (summer = hurricanes)
• New England: September-October (leaf colors)
• Yellowstone, Glacier: June-September
• Hawaii: April-October
• Las Vegas: spring and fall (summer 45°C)

Prices and Money

• Prices before tax — 6-10% sales tax
• Tips: restaurant 18-22%, taxi 15-20%, hotel housekeeping 3-5 USD/night
• Card accepted everywhere; cash only for food trucks, small shops
• Polish cards: currency conversion fee 3-4%, ATM fees 4-7 USD
• Better: Revolut, Wise — dollar card

Roads and Speeds

• Mph, not km/h (1 mph ≈ 1.6 km/h)
• Highway: 65-80 mph; city: 25-45 mph; school: 20 mph
• Fines 50-300 USD for speeding
• "Reckless driving" (80+ mph) in some states = felony

Common Tourist Mistakes

• Underrating distances (NYC → LA = 5 days of driving)
• Luggage in rental car — theft
• Lack of travel insurance — ER 3,000-15,000 USD
• Filling diesel instead of gasoline (regular/premium gasoline dominates)
• Lack of reservations in popular parks