US Car Rental

 

This huge continent is ideal for touring by hire car, with an extensive road network and low petrol prices. Cars are an American way of life and in some cities, such as Los Angeles, it's almost unthinkable not to own a car. From the stunning natural attractions on the Pacific west coast to the cultural and cosmopolitan highlights of the east, touring the USA by car is easy if you have plenty of time.

While the Big Apple's highlights such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty are best explored on foot and by public transport, New York has plenty of attractive daytrip destinations. Heading north will take you to the stunning Atlantic coast, where towns such as Providence and Martha's Vineyard offer culinary and historical highlights.

One of the most famous drives in the world is the legendary Route 66, which once stretched from the east coast all the way across the continent to the Pacific coast. Today, the longest remnants of this road, which was immortalised by Bobby Troup's Get your Kicks on Route 66, can be cruised in Arizona and California. This is best done in a convertible to really get the feel for the old days and let the wind play in your hair while listening to Elvis.

Having made your way to California, it's time for a more sophisticated tour along the estates and wineries of Napa Valley. Stretching for about 35 miles northward along Route 29, the flat valley floor and the surrounding hillsides are covered with orchards and vineyards. Many wineries provide free tours and samplings of their products and free winery maps are available at most hotels and tourist attractions in or near the region.

Another city where cruising the streets is a way of life is Las Vegas. Revel in the glamour as you cruise along the Strip with your top down. Once you've had enough of gambling and the extravagant shows in the opulent casinos, take a trip to Hoover Dam, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on Highway 93. This gigantic dam is a spectacular sight, spanning the Colorado River at Black Canyon.

If you're looking for some outdoor recreation, look no further than Lake Mead. Here you can enjoy fishing, boating or even rent a house boat, or take a tour on an old paddlewheel steamboat to get a new perspective of Hoover Dam.

Real car enthusiasts will not want to miss NASCAR Racing, rooted in the dirt roads and mountain passes of the American south. While Daytona is the original venue for this daredevil sport, it is now popular all over the continent and can be seen on tracks from the west coast to California. Tickets can be booked online and real fans will want to make their way to the race track by car.

With such vast distances and extreme climates, a hire car is the most convenient means of getting around this nation which is obsessed with four wheels. Infrastructure for drivers is exceptionally good, with many motels and traditional diners situated near motorway junctions letting you tour the country the American way.