Driving in the USA: Road Trip Tips and Traffic Rules You NEED TO KNOW!!

[@joec0914]

I would also remind people from outside the US that on multi-lane highways, vehicles will overtake and pass you on the right as well as the left. It's legal on most highways. So be aware when changing lanes to the right. Second if you get stopped by police, do NOT get out of your car, and don't get argumentative with the cops. They have guns.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Yes!! Good tips!! Thanks for posting! 😎👍

[@jonno946]

Just spent 2 weeks driving abroad for the first time in Florida, your video really helped. By the end of the trip I actually found it easier than driving in the UK! The hardest part was getting used to the lane positioning when seated on the right

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Hi Jonno, you've made my day!!! That's exactly how I wanted people to feel after watching the video! I agree, after a while it is much easier than the UK. And how easy is parking and shopping/strip malls?! Thanks for taking the time to message!!

[@jaxxon98]

I believe you have to come to a complete stop before turning right on red. No rolling stops.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

That’s correct. Some roads use stop signs as a traffic claiming measure, so you stop for no reason! 🚗

[@Roque-Cachamuiña-gs1wd]

I have an anecdote that I never thought could happen to me in a developed country. While driving from Austin to Dallas, my tire blew out in an area that was full of pieces of tires. Later, they told me that it was because of the heat of the asphalt. When I was changing the tire, a police car approached and, seeing that we were tourists, he kindly offered to help us and told us that if we wanted to, we could give him a tip when we finished, but it was not obligatory. When we finished, we gave him 20 dollars and he took it and thanked us. He also told us that if we wanted, he would accompany us to a garage where if he accompanied us, they would give us a special price!

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Wow, I didn't think about tyres blowing out because the road is too hot. That's an extra special service from the cop!! Great story!!!

[@steventagawa6959]

2:10 This is especially important because in the US pedestrian crosswalks are almost always at the immediate corners of the intersection. This is unlike the UK, where at larger intersections the crosswalks are commonly set back several meters, are staggered when crossing divided streets (dual carriageways) and sometimes have their own set of signal lights. In addition, pedestrians ALWAYS get the green light/walk sign at the same point in the traffic light cycle as cars proceeding in the same direction. At many newer signal lights, pedestrians will get the green/walk signal a second or so before the cars do, but the go signal for cars and pedestrians going the same way will still overlap for a great deal of the time (though pedestrian signals are timed, so the signal for cars may remain green for some time after the pedestrian signal has turned red/don't walk).

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

You are 100% right. I probably should’ve gone bigger on this section!! I only realised this difference after nearly hitting someone! 😅

[@jasonplatt2228]

As a southern California native, now living in the Las Vegas, NV area, I really thought your tips were spot on. I would add that I think you could still have a satisfying and enjoyable trip to Los Angeles or neighboring Orange County, CA without your own car. You just wouldn't have time to see as much but most attractions such as Disneyland, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, both Getty Museums, Farmers' Market, Downtown L.A., Queen Mary and the Aquarium in Long Beach, CA are well served by public transit. The Orange County coastline also has a public bus serving it but it doesn't run often enough (about once an hour).

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Great point Jason!!! You've inspired a future video: "What can you do in LA without a car!!!"

[@jasonplatt2228]

That sounds great! I look forward to that video as well as I look forward to all of your wonderful videos!

[@numberninestudiosUK]

Great video thank you. I pick up our hire car tomorrow in LA to drive north, your video really helped.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

This message has made my day!! 😀 it’s not a very sexy video but I think it can really help some people. Have an awesome trip!!! 😎👍

[@oneandonlygazza]

Thanks for this. Never driven in the States or europe before. I am a little nervous about it, especillay as my wife is super anxious about it! We're travelling from Nashville to Memphis, then to Clarkdale, Natchez and finally to New Orleans. Wish me luck!

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. You’ll be great!!! As big as those cities are, it should be easier than LA or New York!! After you’ve been on the freeway for the first time you’ll settle down and really enjoy it. It’s way easier than the UK and much more fun to see American sights as you drive. Good luck and have fun!!! 🚗💨

[@oneandonlygazza]

That’s reassuring. I now need to persuade my wife! 😂 Thank you again.

[@DavidVanPatten358]

@@oneandonlygazza Hey, how did it go? I'm planning on driving around New England myself.

[@rongoesCDN]

I think that a brief explanation of road signs are in order here. They are governed by the inter-governmental conference on road standards and published in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). There are four basic types of signs denoted by colour and shape. White for Regulatory, Amber for Caution, Green for directionals and Orange for construction. Blue and Brown are for road services, attractions and Parks. Regulatory signs are usually rectangular. Caution signs are diamond shaped and construction signs can be both. Direction signs can be rectangular and all states and provinces have a quadrilateral signs denoting exit numbers except Quebec which use amber. Some states like NY place the orange square construction zone rules sign inside a white sign. The exit speed limits are always placed inside an amber, rectangular speed limit signs and are regulatory. The little square amber sign with a speed posted underneath the curve caution sign is NOT a suggestion but the law; just like our exit limit signs. The Amber lower border on an overhead green directional sign denotes a compulsory lane exit. Ontario and some states simply have an amber exit only square superimposed on an direction arrow. I have my feelings how Toronto overdoes this but we'll have to see if the MTO takeover of the two freeways will apply the corrections. The european Green and Red circles either permitting or prohibiting something (Normally turns) exists but are enclosed in a regulatory white sign. White or green shields denote numbered highways like the US Federal Highway system. While some states use different colours for county roads. Of, course the Interstate shied is blue and red. A word on right turns on red. You still need to come to a stop before you make the turn. At least in Quebec and Ontario.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Great tips, thanks!!!! 😎👍🏼

[@simonjones4797]

We nearly got caught near Big Sur with a VERY low fuel tank. Stopped at the first place we could and filled up at huge expense. But it was still cheaper than anywhere in the UK. Great video btw :)

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

I found out in a similar way driving over the Sierra Nevada mountains when I was in my 20s. I though there might be a gas station in the middle of the range...apparently not!!! My wife got really worried because we realised we were low as we were driving through the Donner Pass!!! Ha ha!! Thanks for the message, glad you liked the video!!

[@simonjones4797]

@@LifeOfReillyTV Of course it's not just the less-frequent gas stations. It's also the higher fuel consumption which means a remaining ¼ tank won't take you as far as it would in the UK.

[@simonjones4797]

@@LifeOfReillyTV ps. Your original California viral video inspired me to create my own unrelated channel here: kzbin.info/door/X0SErcNwCcdaW9lhRRWqfA Early days, of course. Unrelated topic. Next video drops tonight :)

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

No way!! Very cool!! I've subscribed and will check your videos out!!!

[@Garybaldbee]

Thank you. That's an incredibly useful video. I'm renting a car in Atlanta tomorrow for a fortnight driving round the Carolinas and Georgia and although I've driven on the 'wrong' side of the road many times in Europe the US seems much more challenging. At least on the continent the rules of the road and signage are familiar to British drivers. The US seems like a different world. Americans compain about roundabouts but those 4 way junctions sound like a nightmare!

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

You're welcome, Gary!! I tried to make a video that I would've needed before I first drove out there!! You're right about the European driving feeling very similar to the UK - I drove in France for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was much more familiar/easier than I thought. The US is easier in some ways but more unknowns...but now they're known for you!! Don't over-think the four-way junction...9/10 there will only be two of you...and if there are four, then everyone's nice and they give you a wave to tell you to go. Also, once you're out of the airport and on the freeway in Atlanta, you'll find it really easy as California has much more traffic. Have an amazing trip!!!

[@SonofDad78]

I live in Georgia outside of Atlanta and hope you had a great trip! Atlanta can be overwhelming to drive through at certain times of the day so you definitely were thrown into the fire for your first experience driving in the USA. Thanks for visiting though and I hope people were polite and you had a great time!

[@jamesreilly606]

In some states if two one-way streets intersect you can turn left on a red light. 😀

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Good knowledge, fellow Reilly!! 😎👍

[@jamesreilly606]

We’re everywhere. 😀

[@GoofysHatBand]

I love all the glamor shots of San Diego.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. Well spotted!!! 👏😎

[@RetroAdz]

Definitely the best video I've seen on driving in the USA, thanks! We're doing Route 66 in summer so will be driving a LOT, so this is really useful. Hoping paying for fuel isn't too much of an issue for me. In terms of tolls do you know if they're cash only or do they take card / contactless nowadays?

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Thanks Adam, glad that video is finally getting seen as I uploaded it just as Covid had begun and it didn’t go big. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Route 66 sounds AMAZING!! We want that to be our next big Road Trip. Tolls were all still cash or FastPass last summer - no big moves for contactless on those. They seem to be going down the route of the driver adding their details to a payment portal and then you go through the pre-paid lane via your number plate. I thought I’d signed up and paid properly and got an extra charge from the car hire company still! Have an awesome trip. Let us know how it goes!

[@hebneh]

Where I live, you MUST hold the gas pump handle constantly to make the gasoline flow; there's no way to make it continue automatically without holding it.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

No way. I’ve not seen that before. Which State?

[@hebneh]

@@LifeOfReillyTV Hawaii.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ahh. I wouldn’t mind doing it, if I lived in Hawaii!!! 🌸🏝

[@johnwmurphy]

Excellent video myself and my wife are going to California in July and driving the Pacific coast from San Francisco to San Diego and from LA to Vegas and from there to Yosemite and then to Lake Tahoe and back to San Francisco and then back home to Ireland 🇮🇪, for our honeymoon we have watched all your videos hope to see more tips before July keep up the good work 👍

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Wow - you're doing everything we've done over the past 15 years in one trip - you certainly know how to create a memorable Honeymoon!!! Have an amazing time - I hope some of our tips will help you!! Let us know how you get on!!

[@johnwmurphy]

Life of Reilly Thanks a million 😊

[@sebastianpomales8186]

Usually pay at pump doesnt work well with international credit cards since it will ask for a zip code instead of a pin. In the states credit cards do not use pin, you can just tap or insert and you do not need verification. Since gas stations are a very easy place to commit fraud credit card companies circumvent the lack of pin by using the card member's zip as verification. Our debit cards do have pins and work the same as international ones. If using credit you could attempt to put in 00000 as a zip, many machines will understand that but then your bank may decline the transaction since there was no pin involved. Using a debit card usually resolves the issue since the pump will know to ask for a pin but using debit cards internationally isn't always a safe option. I recommend going inside as stated in the video, but if you're going through the trouble, Use cash! Gas is a cheaper when you pay with cash at most gas stations.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

We always pay with a debit card. Last summer, the 3/5 of gas stations in N California allowed pay at pump bit that dropped to 1/5 in S California. I think it was the refurbished stations that allowed it…and they were the bigger name ones, which are usually much more expensive so I try to avoid them. 🤣

[@nothingsurprisesmeanymore]

This cash price being cheaper is really strange to me. In the UK it's almost a cashless society now, I hardly ever have any cash in my pocket now. 🤷

[@OLAR0]

Thank you very much:)

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Hope it helps, Olga!!! 🚗 Have a fun trip!!!

[@dennisalexanderreilly8624]

Nicely done! Maybe for your next vid, how about "learning a second language whilst stuck in endless LA traffic"

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

HA HA HA!! Glad you liked the video!

[@anonymousdoe3755]

pay at pump is pretty common but ONLY for credit/debit cards. cash is always inside. also never use a card at most gas stations only use at big chains. always do a quick check to make sure someone did not attach a skimmer to a card reader. also in Oregon and new jersey you cannot pump your gas by ur self someone will do it for u

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Good tips. I only read about Oregon gas pumping rules this week so funny you brought it up!

[@happygilmore5948]

They actually changed the rules in Oregon a couple years back. Only counties with over 40,000 residents prevent you from pumping your own gas.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

That’s a great stat!!! I didn’t think there would be a rule with numbers! 🤯

[@johnmyer4010]

How come you have to pay before you pump? How would you know how much fuel you need?

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

I think it’s because they want to make sure they get paid. If we fuel first and then go in, they might be worried a foreign card might not work? They refund the card automatically, so if I “pay” $60 in the shop and only use $50 of fuel, they automatically put $10 back. I’ve had to do this with cash before and then you have to go back in for a refund. If I only have cash, I’ll go under so it definitely gets spent!

[@johnmyer4010]

@@LifeOfReillyTV ahh thank makes sense

[@slw0599]

Gotta admit im a little worried. We're driving from san Francisco airport...to the start of pch all the way down to san Diego....the coast I'll should be ok, but the freeway from san Francisco, I'll be a little anxious.... driving opposite side of the car & road will be alien to me.....from the UK btw.....great help watching this video though.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

You’ll be fine!!! The roads are quite tame around SF airport and people will always let you in, unlike here. You’ll be nervous at the start - ask others in the car to check your blind spots for the first 15 mins - and then you’ll be away!! Have an amazing time!!!

[@MrXyzasdf]

@5:44, no that is by law.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ahh, we need it as a law here in the UK!! Much safer to know you’re definitely going to be let in.

[@rathersane]

It’s worth remembering that in the USA, the federal government doesn’t make the traffic laws, the states do, and they vary!

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Good point!!!! Thanks!!

[@lewissilvio4740]

Can someone please explain the big yellow school rules when they are dropping off the kids..

[@haiby06]

When you are driving behind the bus and the stop arm on the bus is extended and the lights are flashing, you must stop until the stop arm is retraced, the lights stop flashing and the bus starts moving. If you are on the opposite side of the road, you only have to stop if there isn't a barrier dividing your lane and the opposite side.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Nice work - thanks!!

[@ProGamerKid2000]

Driving in LA is a huge nightmare 😫

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. True!! You have to plan your whole drive around rush hours there!!

[@christienightingall9388]

​@@LifeOfReillyTVcan you please advise of what the rush hours for traffic are in LA please?

[@mafecp21]

Did you like Los Angeles? I recognized the freeways. We live here

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Yes, well spotted!! We were filming a “what to do in LA” video last week, funnily enough! Hopefully, we do the city justice!

[@hebneh]

You can also turn left on a red light IF you're on a one-way street and you're turning onto another one-way street...unless, of course, there's a sign prohibiting it. But these situations with permitted left turns are uncommon.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

That’s true. I should’ve put that in there but thought it might be too confusing.

[@jeffjay9350]

That is common in the older cities with many one way streets on the Eastern seaboard. Boston, Philadelphia, NYC. Etc

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Good info, thanks Jeff!

[@JamesCorp]

Sorry I’m just need to correct something you said in the uk cars have right of way over pedestrians that’s not true at all pedestrians have right of way.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

I know what you're saying, James, but in a car park in the UK the car "lets" the person go if they haven't stepped into the road yet...in the USA, the car HAS to stop for a pedestrian. There are other similar instances but that's the one that I feel I have to anticipate while in the States and not be on auto-pilot.

[@technicbyalamin7844]

How to drive trailer truck link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHyVq3d9obaslZo

[@CoolTebza-eh7ig]

Lot traffic 🚦⛔

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. True. Especially in LA!!

[@Marayaeger23]

At a stop sign let’s be real! A lot of you, its a guessing game! You wait if no one goes you go 😅

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. I didn’t want to say that in the video, but it’s how I roll!! 😂😂

[@MatthewHall-e4o]

Why do Brits say "out" when describing the US? They don't go 'to' the US and are not 'in' the US. They go OUT to the US and are OUT in the US. Why the use of the word 'out?'

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

Ha ha. I’ve never noticed it but now you say it. I think we’re being lazy and saying “out of the country to the US” when we say it. 😀👍

[@MatthewHall-e4o]

@@LifeOfReillyTV Many Brits say it. But why?

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

We cut down as many words as possible. This is five words saved. Actually, it’s probably “out of of Europe to” the US or Australia, as we wouldn’t really say “out to Europe.”

[@MatthewHall-e4o]

@@LifeOfReillyTV Why is "out" used for travel to some nations but not others? Removing "out" would cut down the number of words.

[@LifeOfReillyTV]

A chance to say you’re travelling far. We love to make things sound better when we can! 😂