Rental Cars — The Be-All and End-All
In the USA, a rental car is absolutely essential for most trips. Outside of New York City, San Francisco, and a few other cities, there is practically no usable public transport. The USA is a car country — and that's part of the charm.
Why You ALWAYS Need a Rental Car
- National parks are only accessible by car
- Distances are enormous: Los Angeles alone is 70 km wide!
- Public transport hardly exists outside major cities
- Supermarkets, restaurants, outlets — everything is designed for drivers
- Gasoline is significantly cheaper in the USA than in Germany: ~€0.85–1.20/liter
Prices & Booking
| Vehicle Class | $/Day | €/Day | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Nissan Versa or similar) | $35–55 | €32–51 | City trips, Solo/Couple |
| Midsize (Toyota Camry or similar) | $45–75 | €42–70 | All-rounder, Road trips |
| Full-Size SUV (Ford Explorer or similar) | $70–120 | €65–111 | Families, lots of luggage |
| Minivan (Chrysler Pacifica) | $80–130 | €74–121 | Large families, groups |
| Convertible (Ford Mustang Convertible) | $70–130 | €65–121 | PCH, Southwest, Florida |
Provider Recommendation
Major Rental Companies: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, Dollar — all reliable and present at every airport.
Booking Portals: billiger-mietwagen.de (with all-inclusive protection!), CHECK24, rentalcars.com. Always book with liability, comprehensive insurance without deductible, and theft protection included!
Important Rules & Tips
- Age: Minimum age 21 years, under 25 there is a "Young Driver Surcharge" of $20–30/day extra.
- Driver's License: The German driver's license is sufficient in most states. An international driver's license is recommended (ADAC, €15) and is mandatory in some states.
- Refueling: Always refuel with "Regular" (87 octane). Payment: Credit card directly at the pump (US ZIP code needed → pay inside at the cashier).
- Navigation: Google Maps or Apple Maps work excellently. Download offline maps for national parks!
- Speed Limit: Highways 55–75 mph (90–120 km/h), Urban areas 25–35 mph (40–55 km/h), School zones 15–25 mph. Speed traps are everywhere!
- Right Turn on Red: Allowed in most states! Stop, look, turn — unless explicitly stated "No Turn on Red".
- One-Way Rental: Often free between different states (e.g., LAX → SFO), sometimes $100–300 surcharge.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Always book without deductible! Through German portals (billiger-mietwagen.de) this is often included and cheaper than on-site.
Toll Roads
Many highways and bridges are toll roads, especially on the East Coast and in Florida. Payment via:
- SunPass (Florida) — book with the rental company or buy (25 $)
- E-ZPass (East Coast) — electronic toll box, often bookable with the rental company as "Toll Pass" (3–5 $/day + toll)
- FasTrak (California) — for Golden Gate Bridge and Express Lanes
💡 Tipp
For the Pacific Coast Highway: Definitely book a convertible (Ford Mustang Convertible, from $70/day)! There's no better feeling than cruising along the coastal road with the top down.
Achtung
ALWAYS book the rental car from Germany through a German portal (billiger-mietwagen.de, CHECK24)! On-site at the counter, it is dramatically more expensive and the insurance is worse. German portals offer comprehensive insurance without deductible included.
