i want to drive across the USA, should i buy or hire a car there?

Question

which works out cheaper and/or more reliable? if i buy a banger will i die in death valley?

Answer 1

I'm from the states living in the UK. I go home often, you definitely would come out cheaper to buy a car or ship your own.

Going across country is going to take time and LOTS of mileage.
Have fun!

Can I go?...lol

Answer 2

Definately hire a car. That's what my dad did when he took us over. It wasn't too expensive and was no trouble at all.
Also, it wasn't an old banger but was probably a few years old with cool interior and air con!

Whereabouts do you want to drive? I visited the four corners: Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. It was the time of my life and I will never forget it. I think the most memorable part was riding on horseback in monument valley as the sun was going down (indescribable!)

Please get in touch with me if you would like any more info and I might be able to help you!

Really have fun!!

p.s. I have heard that death valley can be dangerous at this time of year as temperatures can reach about 50c mabye.

Answer 3

The best way is to research on google people moving across the states for say work or a lifestyle change. You get a vehicle provided usually a good one and get paid for driving across. If you cant do this which u should there is a joke about four girls touring Australia they went into a garage and the owner asked them what sort of camper they would like.They said we decided on a green one the story doesn't end well. You will get absolutely robbed if u know nothing and secondly why the hell go through death valley are you insane

Answer 4

This will be a long trip, but I've done it and it was great! Plan at least a week. Rent a small car with good air conditioning. Better gas mileage and you're able to change it if something goes wrong, which it probably won't.

American's complain like crazy about gas prices, but compared to what it costs in Europe, it's pretty cheap here.

If you're going for the scenery, then Death Valley will be interesting to you. If not, forgeddaboutit....it's so hot that the minute you step outside your car you'll die. Do you belong to the British equivalent of our American Automobile Association? If so, you can pick up free maps at the AAA headquarters in any city,

http://ww2.aaa.com/AAA_Travel/MemberServices/member_services.htm
and they will help you plan your trip. AAA provides free towing ot it's members, so you could check to see if they offer that as well.
Have a great trip!

Answer 5

Depends how brave you are.

Renting is the safer option - any problems you have will be the rental company's problems.

Buying is the cheaper option - if you sell it at the end of the journey you should only lose a minimal amount of cash.

If you're driving through death valley in a banger, please take water and a cell phone :)

Answer 6

now is the wrong time to drive anywhere in the states petrol prices are soaring, dont get a banger your right you will probably break down somewhere hostile it could be worse than death valley it could be in one of the gangland areas where your dead meat, choose a decent vehicle with low fuel consumption its better to pay more for a vehicle that works properly which isnt gonna guzle petrol, dunno which would be cheaper buying or hiring but if you hire from one of the major companies you will probably have some sort of break down coverage - not for you for the car lol they will collect you to get the car back so they can fix it for them to rehire it out your just baggage :P

Answer 7

It will all depend upon your financial situation.

First, make sure you have an INTERNATIONAL driver's license recognized by U.S. States.

Second, check with the CAR rental companies, but also check with RECREATIONAL VEHICLE rental companies. Renting an RV and driving across the U.S. can be a great time!

Thirdly, make sure with whatever you rent you also get insurance at the time.


In most states, you won't be able to buy, register, and get license plates for a vehicle if you're a foreigner, without actually having established residency of some sort first.

Answer 8

Have you seen the insurance quotes for foreigners?? They don't give you any no claims discount from your UK insurance. You get charged the same rates as their new drivers!!
Hire - the insurance is included.

Shipping your own car is not financially viable and takes 6 weeks to get there - how are you going to manage in the meantime. You also have to watch out for import regs. It has to be steam cleaned and so on and so on. Plus it will be a right hand drive in a left hand drive country! Yikes. Don't overtake!!
Insurance will still be an issue. Hire.

Answer 9

I live in Hawaii and am starting a similar trip next week. It is too expensive to ship my car, so I'm renting one.

Some advice:
• Alamo and Hertz appear to be the only U.S. car rental companies that don't have geographical restrictions for where you can take their car. Most will only let you drive a rental car into neighboring states.
• Hertz offers unlimited mileage and had no geographic restrictions. Alamo offered 4,750 free miles but would charge 28 cents per mile after that.

Answer 10

I have driven accross USA numerous times,from Florida to
Vancouver & twice from Newfoundland to Vancouver.On both of
the trips accross Canada I purchased vehicles in Newfoundland
The first one I sold in Kamloops the second in Vancouver.
They were both Windstars (FORD)& they were at the end of
their lease programme. I made a fantastic profit on both of them.
I have also hired cars down on the Keys,to drop off at Toronto
airport.Whenever I hire I get ripped off!!!
Good Luck
Ralph