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"though this still doesn't get around the need for a rental car unless you can get a ride somehow". - do you mean for an American that doesn't already own a car

by nickd2001 4y ago

"though this still doesn't get around the need for a rental car unless you can get a ride somehow". - do you mean for an American that doesn't already own a car, or a European who's just there for a few weeks? Its possible to travel all over USA in a car that cost very little - an old Japanese car could be reliable and fuel efficient enough. I did this myself between jobs in N America. You can mix camping, staying in hostels, occasionally sleep in the car or couch surf with friends. Or if you could get an old van.. but I daresay everyone wants vans now so they're super expensive. I'd love to travel around USA again but as you say rental cars are a pain and cost. If there's a way a foreigner could travel to USA, buy an old car then sell it after their trip that could be good, however, not sure how you'd insure it without US driving license or address. Also with an old car it helps to have had it a while and do some maintenance before setting off. Of course USA does have some buses and trains up to a point. The main problem is they don't necessarily drop you in a convenient part of town , it could be a "food desert", and mainly serves cities not the remote wilderness

midoridensha 4y ago
>do you mean for an American that doesn't already own a car, or a European who's just there for a few weeks? From context, *obviously* I meant someone vacationing in America, not a resident. >Its possible to travel all over USA in a car that cost very little No, it's not. You can't buy some car for 2 weeks and then return it. >however, not sure how you'd insure it without US driving license or address. You don't. So why are you even bringing up this inanity? We're talking about vacationing here.
- nickd2001 4y ago
  " You can't buy some car for 2 weeks and then return it." for the record, I've met, while travelling around N America , multiple people that did precisely this. Generally with old Japanese cars. I wondered how they did it, at the tine I didn't think to ask as it wasn't something I was planning to do as non-resident. Its possible of course they didn't insure it. Or maybe they got some kind of worldwide travel insurance that covered it. Would be interesting to know.
  - midoridensha 4y ago
    It would be interesting to know, because driving a car without insurance in the US is illegal, and I don't see how a non-resident can possibly acquire insurance from a US insurance company. So if your suggestion for buying a car relies on illegal acts, that's a stupid suggestion and a stupid idea.

midoridensha 4y ago

>do you mean for an American that doesn't already own a car, or a European who's just there for a few weeks? From context, *obviously* I meant someone vacationing in America, not a resident. >Its possible to travel all over USA in a car that cost very little No, it's not. You can't buy some car for 2 weeks and then return it. >however, not sure how you'd insure it without US driving license or address. You don't. So why are you even bringing up this inanity? We're talking about vacationing here.

nickd2001 4y ago
" You can't buy some car for 2 weeks and then return it." for the record, I've met, while travelling around N America , multiple people that did precisely this. Generally with old Japanese cars. I wondered how they did it, at the tine I didn't think to ask as it wasn't something I was planning to do as non-resident. Its possible of course they didn't insure it. Or maybe they got some kind of worldwide travel insurance that covered it. Would be interesting to know.
- midoridensha 4y ago
  It would be interesting to know, because driving a car without insurance in the US is illegal, and I don't see how a non-resident can possibly acquire insurance from a US insurance company. So if your suggestion for buying a car relies on illegal acts, that's a stupid suggestion and a stupid idea.