BS: Driving in the USA

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:53 PM

The one tip I have not seen above is that when you use a coupon book, do not limit yourself to the listed hotels.

In the event that you seen another motel in a chain with a coupon and like its looks, go in and ask whether their rates have enough flex to allow them to meet the price in the book. Amazingly often, the price is yes.

An occupied room brings in more than an empty room. The desk person on duty almost always authority to negotiate prices. We never bother with a reservation when travelling by car and have never had to settle for second choice.

Use every tool you can and get every discount you can get.

Sometimes a simple offer of a price will get you a room, even without a coupon especially if there are very few cars in the lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 09:02 PM

Speedways have no speed limits generally excepta few restrictor plate tracks, rarely have more than a two groove track and 3 or 4 cars abreast is rare at most speedways. And I don't know of any speedways where you run in two directions!

Or did you mean "freeways" Carol?

Spaw{;<))

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 08:56 PM

Depends on the multi-lane speedway. Not all multi-lane speedways are like the six to twelve lane affairs found in and around cities. Some have only two lanes going in each direction, and on such roads, which lane people use for what purpose makes a much bigger difference, especially in hilly or mountainous areas. And nobody does all of their driving on multi-lane speedways, so being mindful of the possibility of such a law is still a good idea.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Alice
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 06:31 PM

From the US Department of Transportation web site:

"Although the left lanes of multi-lane freeways are widely viewed as the "high speed lanes" or "the fast lanes," the speed limit applies to all lanes on any given street or highway. The intent is that vehicles going slower than the posted speed limit should stay to the right."

CLICK

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 06:16 PM

Inside lane , outside lane, the fact is that on multi lane freewayss drivers overtake in whatever lane they see fit, and I doubt anybody ever gets pulled up for it.

If you think about it, it can't be any other way, as in the US, on the freeway, the off ramps can be either off the left hand lane or the right hand lane, unlike in the UK, where the exits are always off the left hand lane.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: gnomad
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 05:45 PM

JimD: re carriageway/lane; we UKers do use carriageway, but only in fairly limited circumstances. Thus a dual carriageway = two or more lanes in each direction, separated by a central reservation.

Single carriageway = no central reservation.

Single track road = only room for one vehicle, opposing traffic flows need to get past each other using the slightly wider bays (like tiny laybys) called passing places, these occur at irregular intervals where the landscape allows their construction. Picknicking or other prolonged pausing in passing places is verboten.

We use the term lane as it appears that you do stateside, for one of the marked lines of traffic. Lane is also used like Avenue, Street or many other terms as part of the name for a (usually minor) road, and as a general term for a minor rural road.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 02:42 PM

Desert Dancer: Thanks for that link to John Cletheroe's web site. He collects info not just about driving but about all sorts of differences between the US and UK. That's one of my favorite/favourite(!) topics. I plan to read a lot of it and send him lots of suggestions, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Alice
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:45 PM

I just want to point out that driving on the interstate highway in Montana is VERY SCENIC, and very little traffic. Often you don't even see another car on the road for miles.

Interstate highway 90 in Montana (photo)

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:29 PM

My guess is that "filtering right against a red stop light" means "right turn on red (light)".

According to Wikipedia, turning right on a red light (after stopping fully) is now legal in all 50 states as in Canada, except when there is a sign prohibiting it, and in the city of New York and island of Montreal.

In the course of looking this up, I found this site that appears to be by a UKer about driving in the U.S. and Canada. Might be easier to digest than some of this confused and piecemeal discussion:
http://www.johncletheroe.org/usa_can/driving/index.htm.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:19 PM

The thing that confused me (and confuses some Americans in my experience) is filtering right against a red stop light.

What does "filtering right against a red stop light" mean?


The thing that confused me (and confuses some Americans in my experience) is filtering right against a red stop light.
If a car ahead of you is stopped, and he has his left-turn signal on, and he is apparently waiting for a break in oncoming traffic so he can turn left, it seems harmless to pass him on the right, doesn't it? (This is in the US.) I'm sure I've done this many times. I'd probably slow down a lot first. That kind of thing is never prohibited, is it?

I don't think it's ever illegal in the US to pass on the right a car that is stopped for making a left turn. I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt that's illegal anywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Amos
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:17 AM

And the only toll road in Ohio is the Turnpike and no one in their right mind uses it...

...because it is just too crowded.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:13 AM

And the only toll road in Ohio is the Turnpike and no one in their right mind uses it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:03 AM

I think it is a lot easier for someone in the UK to adapt to driving in the US, than the other way around. Outside of the big urban areas there is less congestion and there just seems to be more room to maneuver, park, etc. in the US.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: fretless
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 10:01 AM

Having sat this one out for a few days and seeing various comments about how boring driving on US Interstates can be, I was reminded of the book Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon. The title comes from the non-major roads, traditionally rendered in blue on highway maps, and the book recounts Moon's non-highway drive across the U.S., where he made deliberate efforts to access the country's various regional communities. If you're planning a driving excursion to the U.S., it might be an interesting pre-visit read.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 08:56 AM

Until this thread, I don't think I ever heard anyone use the term "inside lane" or "outside lane." When I read it, I figured "inside" must mean "toward the center of the highway." That's logical, isn't it? But it sure made the discussion confusing. It's a good thing I stayed out of it.

By the way, in Britain, I don't think they use the word "lane" at all (as in traffic lane); they call it a "carriageway."

If a car ahead of you is stopped, and he has his left-turn signal on, and he is apparently waiting for a break in oncoming traffic so he can turn left, it seems harmless to pass him on the right, doesn't it? (This is in the US.) I'm sure I've done this many times. I'd probably slow down a lot first. That kind of thing is never prohibited, is it?

I should point out, in the US, driving is regulated by the states, not the federal government, so it's possible to find some regional differences.

I don't think I've ever encountered a toll road west of the Chicago area. There might be a few toll bridges, however.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: GUEST,Redhorse at work
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 08:26 AM

Sorry: I used "inside" and "outside" to try and avoid confusion! In UK we also tend to refer to the slow lane as the inside lane, even though technically it's on the outside of the highway.

On UK motorways, unless you are in solid nose-to-tail traffic it is illegal to pass on the left/kerb/passenger side. It is only permitted to pass on the right/median/driver side. (UK drivers sit on the right of the car). So a UK driver on a relatively uncrowded motorway does not expect someone to come past rapidly on the passenger side.


I also found Charmion's experience interesting: "It also took a while to stop reaching for the gearshift with my right hand -- and opening the driver's door instead." I had a similar experience the first time I drove a LHD car. My left hand, looking for the gear lever, found the handbrake (oddly placed between driver's door and driver's seat on the NSU Prinz) and pulled it on much to the following driver's (and my) surprise

nick

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: artbrooks
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:26 AM

This may not be consistent in the US. I have always heard the lane closest to the curb called the inside lane.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 05:43 AM

Well if it gives you a bit of reassurance - we did a house swap in Portland Oregon including vehicles. I think we had less problems than they did!

I have also driven in Washington DC and Pennsylvania area and Canada. I found it OK. The thing that confused me (and confuses some Americans in my experience) is filtering right against a red stop light. That was unusual and it was only when I had a pile of cars behind me and a bloke waving at me I realised.

Would any stateside catters care to comment?

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 05:15 AM

Beware of taxis in Munich, after a weekend a couple of years ago for the Christmas market, we were driven at top speeds of 130 miles per hour to the airport!

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:26 AM

From this Wikipedia page, though, it looks like in UK usage, "inside" would be what I am referring to as the outside. When I say inside, I'm talking about the lane that is closest to the median, but it looks like in the UK the inside might the the lane furthest from the median.

If that's the case, redhorse, passing on the inside (using UK terminology) is sometimes legal and sometimes not, but passing in the lane closest to the median, or at least not in the far right lane, is probably the safest bet.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: MarkS
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:25 AM

Also, be prepared to pay a toll on many major roads and bridges. Just pull into the booth and get a ticket when you get on the road, and give the ticket and your money to the tolltaker on the other end. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and many others charge for use of many of the major roads.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 12:15 AM

I have been pulled over for precisely that, artbrooks. In Oklahoma, for instance. And it is relevant. redhorse (presumably from the UK) said, "In US it's perfectly legal to overtake on the inside on motorways (please correct me if I'm wrong) which can catch a UK driver by surprise."

Clearly it's dangerous for people to not know which side it is customary for people to pass on. If it is customary for people in the UK to pass on the outside, operating on that assumption in a country where the opposite is true could create dangerous situations for them. Why you would discourage anyone from informing them of this difference in the way things are done, and thereby possibly saving them some trouble, is beyond me.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:49 PM

Let's see...multi-lane road, person in the left lane driving below the speed limit, person in the right lane passes...there would be no other reason to pass. I have some trouble imagining that the passer would be pulled over, but I suppose it's possible. Not at all relevant to the topic, anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 09:15 PM

There was a law in California (may still be in force) which stated that when five or more vehicles were stuck behind you (maybe pulling a trailer/camper) you HAD to pull over at the first available opportunity when it was safe to do so and allow them to pass. That should be enforced everywhere, imo.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 08:50 PM

It doesn't pay to assume that it's ok to pass on the right, though, artbrooks. I've been pulled over for doing it in places where I was unaware of the law against it. But it does seem to be the case, that where there are either rules or norms about only passing on one side or the other, in the US it is on the left and not the right. From what redhorse said, it sounds like it's the opposite in the UK. This is good for people coming here to know, since according to what he said, not being aware of this can be very dangerous.

It's almost always true that on country roads, especially in hilly or mountainous areas, slower moving vehicles are either expected or required to stay to the right.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Alice
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 08:04 PM

regarding iPhones... you will find that you won't be able to get a signal for an iPhone to work in most of Montana and North Dakota, no matter what AT&T's advertising claims. Verizon is the most reliable signal in this part of the country for a cell phone.


Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

People in the US normally treat each lane as a discrete entity, and passing on the right/inside lane is as acceptable as in the left/outside lane or the center/centre lane. Exceptions do exist, such as in Texas where the freeways are posted "Left lane for passing only". Slower drivers do not keep to the right/inside (the rat bastards).

Beware of signs that say "right lane exit only". This means that the right lane goes on to the off-ramp, and there is no option to stay on the main road without a last-moment lane change. This tends to be difficult if there is a large truck to your immediate left.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Amos
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 07:10 PM

An iPhone lets you see the whole map from nation down to local sidewalks with the sweep of a finger, and will get your present location pinpointed on it with a few seconds lag.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 05:52 PM

By the way, in the US, overtaking is called 'passing', and that's what you'll see on signs from time to time telling you not to do it.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 04:25 PM

You will need to get used to with Road Signs in the United States. The US has never adopted the European standard. The good news is, our signs mostly use words, and not so many abstract symbols as in the UK or Europe.

For example, here is an American speed-limit sign compared to a British/European speed-limit sign.

(This is really more of a problem for Americans traveling in Europe or the UK than vice versa.)

For navigation, you need to get used to thinking in terms of north/south/east/west. American highways, even if they zigzag or run on a diagonal, are arbitrarily designated as either north-south highways or east-west highways. When you come to an intersection and you want to turn onto a "north-south" highway, you need to know in advance whether you want to go "north" or "south." There probably won't be any signs telling you whether the town you want is left or right.

Typical American highway sign vs. Typical British highway sign.

Of course Americans in the UK have the opposite problem. I would arrive at a roundabout knowing I wanted to go north, but which way is north? The sign doesn't tell me. Also, the town I wanted to go to is "none of the above." What the hell do I do now?

I suppose Brits tend to navigate by knowing what town they want to go to, and also what other towns lie along the route or beyond it, never mind whether they're headed north, south, east or west.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:46 PM

redhorse, not only is it allowed to overtake on the inside, but that is where people are supposed to overtake here. In some places it's actually illegal to overtake on the outside. In the US, the rule usually is that you pass on the left. Slower traffic is supposed to keep to the right. That translates to overtaking on the inside since we're obviously driving on the right.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Bert
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:37 PM

...Rt.33 distinctly runs north south with just some drift but its an east/west route...

Well, ya need to come to the Front Range. I25 runs North/South and there is no doubt about it. You can start in Montana at Glacier National park and head South and come and see us in Colorado Springs where you can see Pikes Peak as well.

It covers pretty much the same route as the Goodnight Loving trail but a little closer to the mountains.

Then you can pop over the Divide and visit Katlaughing.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:20 PM

"... we wanted to see the country a bit which is why driving seemed such an attractive option "

If you stay on the interstate, "seeing the country" is rather a diluted experience. (The further west you go, the more you can see as you drive.)

If you drive on the more 'interesting' secondary roads, you go much slower, and need to decide about how much time you are allowing.

Most of the decent motels ARE near the exits on the interstate.

I 2nd the idea of flying closer to your destination.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:08 AM

And about how hot it may get in North Dakota, here's a couple stats. While I'm sure record heat happens and one should be ready for a heat wave, 'warm' sounds more like it.

"July is the warmest month with mean temperatures ranging from 67 degrees in the northeast to 73 degrees in the south. Daily high temperatures in the low 80s are common central and south."

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 11:02 AM

Here's an option.
Fly into Chicago, because you might be able to get a nonstop from Europe. O'Hare is out at the edge of the city. If you wanted to rent a car there, you have minimal traffic hassle picking up the freeway and heading west across Iowa and on to North Dakota.

OR, when you land, take the subway/elevated from O'hare downtown. Stay the night near downtown, and see the Museum of Science and Industry, which has awesome dinosaur stuff. Then go back out to the airport and pick up the rental car.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 10:12 AM

I know some people don't like them, but I think I'd arrange to have a GPS device in addition to good maps.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 09:20 AM

A shipmate from Texas once described Texas as, "Acres and acres of nothing but acres and acres." He was not amused when I commented that a lot of nothing is still nothing.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: GUEST,redhorse at work
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 08:37 AM

In US it's perfectly legal to overtake on the inside on motorways (please correct me if I'm wrong) which can catch a UK driver by surprise. Driving a multi-lane highway in the dark to first night hotel when you are knackered from the flight can be quite an experience!

nick

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:25 AM

Hassidic jews in gathering in large numbers in Amish country?   LMAO.....Geeziz Joe......There must be about a dozen jokes there.......LMAO..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 05:31 AM

You're up early, Joe.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 05:29 AM

Don't get too close to Canada - Charmion is licensed to drive there...on whichever side of the road.

Sorry, Charmion...

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: kendall
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 04:44 AM

Texas is different; the land is so flat, if you have good eyesight,and the air is clear, you can see the back of your own head.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Stu
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 04:35 AM

Wow - Thanks everyone.

Quite a lot to digest here but we'll take it all into account whilst planning; you've certainly got me thinking. If we manage the trip this year we will certainly consider flying closer to ND and driving a bit of the way. In truth, we wanted to see the country a bit which is why driving seemed such an attractive option but I think we might avoid Chicago in the car at least. It really does depend on how much time we have.

I'm not too worried about driving on the 'wrong'[ side of the road ;-) My mum lived in France for five years and although I didn't drive I can't say I'm too worried. My wife and I had an old german VW camper that was left-hand drive and we got around fine in it, just make sure you come square-on into turns.

Thank you for all the offers of help too - much appreciated folks!

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:37 AM

Joe-Lancaster has a lot of business travelers, particularly contract workers, in addition to being a year round tourist destination, so not a lot of lodging deals. As to the Hassidim, maybe they went out to look at the Amish--Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch are closely related.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:02 AM

Yeah, that's why it pays to call ahead and ask them if there are any rooms available at the coupon rate before committing to a particular hotel.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:49 AM

Most times, I've been amazed at the results I've had with the coupon books. I usually ask for the AAA or AARP rate (American Automobile Association or American Association of Retired People), and rarely get asked for a card. The coupons get you prices that are sometimes a third less than the AARP/AAA rate. Sometimes, the coupons have fine print that will throw you off. Last October, I tried using a coupon at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that offered a terrific rate for a room with two king-size beds. Trouble is, that they only had rooms left with one king or two queens - and they were far more expensive.
I did NOT find a good lodging deal anywhere in Lancaster, and this was midweek on a rainy night, hardly primetime. There were Hasidic Jews everywhere, so maybe there was a convention and it drove the rates up.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: Janie
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 12:05 AM

Carol has a good suggestion regarding the coupon books found at Welcome Centers/rest stops on the Interstate highways, Maryrrf' suggestion that you look at reviews regarding lower priced chain motels and hotels is a good one. The lower priced chains to consider are Motel 6, Econolodge, Super 8, Days Inn, Scottish Inn. Then Microtel, Red Roof, Cricket and Knights Inn. Then Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn. If doing research beforehand, also consider Best Western, and consult websites for local municipalities and chambers of commerce for independent motels and hotels that might suit just fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:43 PM

That's a popular thing in Ohio and Indiana as well. Rt.33 distinctly runs north south with just some drift but its an east/west route.

I dunno' why that is but there are a couple of others here plus the one in Indiana that always pissed me off.....came out around Corydon........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: M.Ted
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 11:32 PM

Kat, I don't know about New England, but I lived in Pennsylvania for a long while, and it is very easy to get lost there. All the Northbound roads go West, all the Southbound roads go East, and to get anywhere, you have to go somewhere else and come back.

Subject: RE: BS: Driving in the USA
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 09:40 PM

Sure, Joe, but in New England, every road leads to somewhere, so you're never truly lost like you can be out west.*bg*

LOL...I didn't live there long enough to try that, Ebbie.:-)