Americanisms

Just some notes for people travelling to the USA for the first time.

Whenever you use your credit card, expect to have to show ID. A drivers license is fine.

Buying fuel usually entails paying first, then pumping gas (unless you have a US credit card). It means you have to make an educated guess as to how much you need, but they will refund any overpayment.

Doms's tip: hire the biggest car you can afford. A big, domestic vehicle is the most comfortable way to travel. The fuel is cheap, and as we found at Monument Valley, small cars can't access all sites.

A GPS is invaluable. Some hire cars have them built in, and you can definitely hire them. They are available in Walmart at all prices, depending on whether you want traffic updates or not. Ours was ready to go out of the box, and always knows the speed limit, which we find handy.

Free wi-fi is everywhere. Every Starbucks and fast food joint has it, Walmart has it. Hotels offer it for free as well, in general. The Westin in St Louis charged $10.95 for 24 hours, but that's the first time on the trip that I've paid for Internet. Wi-fi was a little less present on the drive since Kansas City, mostly as there were no Starbucks during the trip.

There is a constant police presence in the USA, whether State Troopers, Sheriffs or Police. And they have some fabulous vehicles. My favourite is the Dodge Charger, but they also drive Volvos, Crown Victorias (of course), Suburbans, and Tahoes, Chevy Impala, Taurus and even the occasional Mustang and Camero. In Atlanta we saw police on Harley-Davidson motor bikes!

If you're travelling by plane, leave lots of time for check-in, bag drop and security. Atlanta security took us about 40 minutes to clear. Into LAX for departure, on the other hand, was a breeze.