Words & Pictures by Tommy Murphy
About a year ago, I was going through a bit of an existential crisis at work. I wasn’t necessarily enjoying my job, spending most days in an office at a university.
I wanted something different…
I wanted to see the world.
I also wanted to feel more fulfilled, finding what I really wanted to do in life.
So, on a whim, I took a short-term position working with university students from the USA in Greece (an incredible, life-changing experience).
At the end of my tenure in Greece, I had no plans, but I did have savings of about six-months worth of salary.
So, I decided to hit the road for an unplanned American Road Trip.
At this point, I’m headed to Seattle to start a new job in mid-July…
But, it really has been the journey of a lifetime.
I’ve been driving in the USA since I was 17 (that’s a year later than most of my friends because I was intimidated!), so I thought I’d share some of my insight.
After living in Boston and Philadelphia, I’m also well-versed in taking public transit.
The open highways can be wonderful, but they can also feel lonely, and sometimes, those same highways can be packed with neverending traffic.
Even the most seasoned driver can wind up in daunting situations…
Parking, Driving, & Public Transport
When to NOT drive:
If you’re in some of the major cities with excellent public transportation (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco), leave the car outside the city…
And, enjoy it without fear of having an accident!
While my car has never been broken into, I’m also careful to park my car in safe, secure lots. If you have to drive through them, fine, but know where you’re going, and stay with the flow of traffic.
Tip: When staying in a super expensive parking city, I’ve made use of airport parking deals.
In San Francisco, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf for a couple nights (less than $100 per night by using Priceline!). Parking costs were astronomical at roughly $50 per night.
Any hotel savings would be eaten up by parking costs!
I found a Groupon for 2 days of parking at the San Francisco airport for $20 (and I had a coupon for $11).
We took the subway (BART) into the city, and I left my car in a safe parking lot for two days at a fraction of the cost.
Since the San Francisco Airport is south of the city, and we were already planning to drive south along the coast, we also avoided the notoriously terrible Bay Area traffic – a win-win!
When TO drive:
There are other cities, where you MUST have a car to get around (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, San Diego).
The great thing is that most of these cities have tons of free parking, so you should be able to drive between your destinations! However, traffic will be thick, so it can be a bit of a hassle.
Also, be aware that even some side roads have three lanes in each direction, with a 45mph speed limit.
Many of these roads have center lanes for turning in either direction, and for the unfamiliar, this can be challenging! If crossing multiple lanes of traffic is too intimidating and feels rushed to make your turn, simply turn around at the next intersection with a traffic light.
It’s much better to take a bit more time than to risk a collision. In trying to make a quick turn in Phoenix, I had a fender bender…
In hindsight, I should have just turned around, so feel free to learn from my mistake!
When to use Public Transport:
Then there are those cities with decent public transportation options (Denver, Portland, Seattle, New Orleans). They may not have extensive subway systems, but they’re getting better they have growing light rail systems.
You can often find parking near where you’re staying, and take the light rail or bus. This is very neighborhood-dependent because parking costs in Seattle and Portland can be ridiculous!
However, a bit of research can help you find free places to park.
For example, in Seattle, I knew that parking in parts of the Queen Anne neighborhood was unrestricted, so I parked there for a night, rather than paying $25 for parking at my hotel!
Always read the parking signs though because you definitely do not want to be towed!
When you’re outside major cities, enjoy the drive – it’s a road trip after all!
Driving along US 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway through California and Oregon will be something I’ll remember forever: Unobstructed Pacific views and vineyards as far as the eye can see dominate the landscapes – it’s not to be missed.
So, leave the freeways, soak in the scenery, and enjoy the drive!
Coming Next – Part Two: ‘An American Road Trip: Food for Thought!
Read more of Tommy’s blogs at The Wayfaring Stranger