Driving from Dallas, TX to Miami, FL

bawag · 19-08-2011, 12:50 PM

As the title suggests the other half and myself are driving from Dallas to Miami in the US on the 17th of Dec till the 23rd on our way to South America. Sounds odd but it was $4 cheaper to have a 5 night stop over in the states.

I really want this leg of our holiday to have something to do with fast cars so what i am asking is has anyone been to this area before and what can you suggest i go and do/see.

Cheers in advance for any replies or suggestions.

**cs123** · 19-08-2011, 01:46 PM

Not fast cars, but if you have the slightest interest in fast machinery go to NASA at Orlando. I spent a day there, could have spent two easily.

GS608 · 19-08-2011, 01:52 PM

Make sure you hire a Mustang GT as rental car!

Kieron · 19-08-2011, 01:58 PM

Do you mean the Kennedy Space Centre cs123? if so, it's actually in Cape Canaveral

Daytona is over that way, you used to be able to drive along the beach where they used to race. I also visited to Daytona track many moons ago, not sure if you can still wander around it but worth a google.

Down in Miami, there was once a Cadillac themed hotel, restaurant had 59 Caddi's set up inside as eating booths, couple of Caddi's out the front, Caddd' pool and rooms name after Cad's, not sure if it's still around though.

There were plenty of muscle cars driving around on the Miami Beach strip when I was there too.

mik · 19-08-2011, 02:04 PM

sounds like a great trip.

bawag · 19-08-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0

Make sure you hire a Mustang GT as rental car!

Definitely!!

(hides booking from the prying eyes of the girlfriend)

TheInterceptor · 19-08-2011, 03:16 PM

Least you dont have to worry too much about gettin nailed for a petty driving offense over there

**Jastel** · 19-08-2011, 08:17 PM

A few US road facts

One different road rule over there caught me out a few miles from Orlando Airport was that if there is an emergency vehicle police, fire, ambos, road workers etc parked in the emergency lane you must move over 1 lane to the left or reduce speed MASSIVELY to about 40mph.
I struck this just after I had hired the car saw 2 motorcycle cops in the emergency lane booking another bikie , traffic was heavy so I slowed to around 55mph from 70 and moved as far as I could to the left, gave them miles of room. Cop 2 roared after me and pulled me over, I said I didnt know about the rule and after hearing me talk, checking my rental paperwork and seeing I had literally done about 3 miles he let me off with a warning. So if you see a slow semi suddenly swerve into the fast lane you will know why, (they rarely slow down)

Indicators are hardly used over there. They swerve across lanes at will.
Houston had the worst drivers I have ever seen. 3 Multi vehicle pileups in 20 miles of freeway on a dry road???

You can turn R after stopping at MOST red traffic lights, sign says not allowed if you cant.

Most cars have brake lights as indicators, ie red lights not orange.

I saw more police in that corner of the country than anywhere else, lots of tourists around Disney etc, they arent bad but, stay with the traffic a few mph over and you will be fine, go flying by and they will book you.
One good thing NO SPEED CAMERAS!

I had a V6 Mustang, it was pretty good.
You will not have time to see too much in 5 days but.
It is a long drive, but on the interstates the roads are good.

Miami is very like the Gold Coast, stay at South Beach in an art deco hotel, do the Art deco hotel tour where a guide explains them all to you, the beach, the night life etc, The Clevelander is a good spot for a beer, pretty noisy to stay there but. Parking is not easy here.
At SOBE (South Beach) the cars "cruise" up and down all night long in big traffic jams, you will see some mean machines (new and classic) on a Friday night.
Can do Everglades tours as well.

Orlando, where Disneyworld, (4 parks plus water ones), Universal Studios, (2 parks), and NASA, (Cape Canaveral rocket launch area), are near, is about 4 hours north of Miami. Do ALL of these if time permits, which it wont.

From Miami can do a long day trip to Key West via the overseas highway, remember "True Lies" and all the other movies where they have car chases and the baddies cars crash into the ocean, that road, well the new one anyhow. The old road is parallel.

Houston has a NASA as well, the Mission Control part.
Not much else but.

New Orleans is good, good food, beer, nightlife and live music on Bourbon St. Can do swamp tours on airboats, Hurrican Katrina tours, those neighborhoods are still trashed, CBD is OK but.

You could drive via Memphis and do Graceland, there is section with all of Elvises cars, get some brownie points up from the wife as well!

The Atlanta area has lots of civil war history and fancy houses.

A bit further N is Nashville, country music etc.

Daytona - as mentioned, you can do tours of the speedway.

Not on your path but if you really want to see some cars and famous old machinery(not only Fords) go to detroit and the Rouge plant and the Henry Ford Museum, very interesting. Can do plant tours as well.
Hope that helps a bit.
Have a good trip.

Ben73 · 19-08-2011, 09:57 PM

Im going to the west coast next year. Having a hire car in LA, thinking about driving to LV. Girlfriend wants to fly there.

Anything interesting car related on the west cost that anybody knows about?

Im thinking about hiring a nice car over there. Seams much cheaper then anything here.

**cs123** · 19-08-2011, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

Im going to the west coast next year. Having a hire car in LA, thinking about driving to LV. Girlfriend wants to fly there.

My tip is to avoid airports in the US as much as possible. It's painful. If you're going from LA to Vegas then drive or bus it. If you're going to Vegas then the Grand Canyon is a must. Lots to see and do in Vegas too apart from slots.

I much prefer the northern parts of the USA plus CA. I've been to DWF, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami at various times and wasn't too fussed compared to the northern states.

My next trip will be route 66. I think I'll also include a trip to this too http://www.amarcexperience.com/AMARCVGuide.asp

**Jastel** · 20-08-2011, 12:52 AM

The drive from LA to San Francisco, on the coast road, is well worth it.

LA is not too bad, but San Fran is not car friendly at all.
Get a good map/GPS. Parking can be expensive too.
Drive from Santa Monica up Sunset Blvd, all the way to Hollywood.
Then drive back down via Mullholland Drive through the hills.

If you like wide open spaces, drive via Death Valley up around Area 51 and down the Extraterrestrial Highway via Rachel, and into LV that way. The Mustang can stretch its legs out here, it is the scenic route but beats the traffic jams on the direct route.

Yosemite Park is nice too.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway has tours where they show you the track, corporate boxes etc and take you around the track in the van, not Nascar speed but in aF350 bus on the banking it is fast enough. If you have the $$$, starts at $500 for 8 laps, you can drive NASCARS, Ferraris, Lambos etc on certain days.

Grand Canyon is a must can do chopper trips from Vegas, or a 6 hour drive.
Also do the Hoover dam tour. Kingman to Seligman is an original part of Route 66, parallel, to the main I40, worth a detour on the way to the canyon.

There is a NASCAR cafe in the Sahara Casino as well as a rollercoaster called Speed, supposed to be Nascarlike. There is a ferrari dealership on the main strip as well, all sorts of cars drive up and down all day and night.

Another cool thing in Las Vegas is a Pinball museum, they have hundreds of working machines you can play, if you spent as much time on them in the 80's as I did you will like it.

bawag · 20-08-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jastel

Hope that helps a bit.
Have a good trip.

Thanks heaps Jastel, that does help alot. Sounds like i will have fun on the road, i might try to do most of the driving in big stints so that i can just spend time in New Orleans and in Miami.

The next thing i will have to look at is in South America, getting from Rio de Janeiro to Buenes Aeires, not sure how to do this, i am thinking of hiring or buying a motorbike or cheap car and riding or driving, i think i will decide that when i get there, i may play it safe and catch a bus instead

Cheers

sgt_doofey · 20-08-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jastel

LA is not too bad, but San Fran is not car friendly at all.

I disagree with that. I've driven around SF a number of times and it is quite simple really. The one way streets are a massive pain in the rear end but everything else is easy.
I lived and worked north of SF for three months back in 2003 and have been back to SF in 2007 and earlier this year.

My biggest shock driving over there back in 2003 was travelling to work along one of the highways doing about 70mph in a 65 zone to keep up with traffic and having a police car pass me. Scared the crap out of me but he didn't care. They're not too big on speeding, but do something silly and they'll pull you up. Whatever you do, if you are pulled up by the police, do not get out of the car unless they ask you to.

WMD351 · 20-08-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0

Make sure you hire a Mustang GT as rental car!

Convertible?

Yellow_Festiva · 20-08-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawag

As the title suggests the other half and myself are driving from Dallas to Miami in the US on the 17th of Dec till the 23rd on our way to South America. Sounds odd but it was $4 cheaper to have a 5 night stop over in the states.

Booking flights often makes me scratch my head thinking to myself "How does that work / make sense?"

I'm in the final process of booking flights to Southen Africa for a 6 week Safari.

Direct with Quantas: Syd -> Joburg then returning Nairobi -> Sydney via Joburg $38XX per person.

Direct there with Swiss Air: Syd -> Joburg then returning from Nairobi via Zurich and Hong Kong $26XX per person.

Good thing I had a week to play with in the end of my trip. Will spend a few nights in each so will get 2 extra countries for 'free' as the money saved will more than cover the expenses. Wish I had 10 days, I could have also stopped in madrid / Barcelona for no extra cost.

I will be saving this thread for future reference as a NA road trip may be the next holiday I take.

Also, www.tripadvisor.com is an amazing wealth of info for people wanting "local knowledge".

**Elks** · 20-08-2011, 02:31 PM

I drove from Chigaco to New York via Detriot, Niagra Fall, Boston in the snow last Xmas. Easy and great, it tokk a few days for driving on the wrong (right) side of the road to feel natural but you will get used to it. Corners take some concentration. Driving in -15 & snow is something you wont need to worry about down south,but we did get a white Christmas.

As said, speeding is a non issue, driving at 75mph on a freeway which is posted 65mph and being passed by a semi is normal. if you go real fast they will jump on you but a margin of error is allowed.

Hertz Neverlost GPS is good, Avis' we had for a few days in LA is rubbish. Don't even consider the drive without a GPS. You can always ignore the instructions.

Henry Ford Museum was good but It's a 1,000 miles form where you will be.

New Orleans would be just fantastic. I'm jealous.

This is in Dearborn MI

**Jastel** · 20-08-2011, 08:50 PM

One tip for people wanting a USA driving holiday is to check the websites of the major rental car companies, they often have special one way deals, especially out of Arizona (grand canyon) and Florida (Disney).

I rented a car from Phoenix for $1 a day but had to drive it back east to Houston, had up to 7 days to get it there.
Another car was $5 a day from Orlando to Cleveland, again 7 days.
That doesnt include insurance cover though, usually around $40 a day for full coverage.

You may not get a Mustang but. That one I prebooked from here.

I didnt hire the GPS, just had a basic road atlas and my ipad on my knee for the busy parts , with US SIM but.
You really only need it in the cities/towns.
AT&T wasnt much good in the Arizona/Utah desert areas, Verizon is biggest in this area but uses CDMA. AT&T was pretty good everywhere else.

Interstate highways are even numbered going East-West, and odd numbers going North-South, have an idea of your direction for easy navigation. Most USA cars have a compass direction in the rear view mirror or the radio area.

99% of service stations you must prepay for fuel with a credit card, sometimes none of the 5 different cards we had would work, the catch is some states want a zip code (postcode), but in USA it is 5 numbers, sometimes typing 99999 worked but not always, other states the attendent said to type the last 5 numbers of the credit card and that worked. If all that fails go inside and give him $50 (or however much you need) and he will activte the pump, it will cutoff at $x or he will give you change.

sgt_doofey · 21-08-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jastel

99% of service stations you must prepay for fuel with a credit card, sometimes none of the 5 different cards we had would work, the catch is some states want a zip code (postcode), but in USA it is 5 numbers, sometimes typing 99999 worked but not always, other states the attendent said to type the last 5 numbers of the credit card and that worked. If all that fails go inside and give him $50 (or however much you need) and he will activte the pump, it will cutoff at $x or he will give you change.

You could possibly try your post code and just put a zero in front of it. I.e. instead of 5000 (Adelaide) try 05000. We found that little trick whilst trying to purchase tickets the to New York subway.
I had completely forgotten about that. Be careful with some Visa cards as well as some places won't accept them unless they have an American address. We had that problem filling up the rental car in Las Vegas in April this year. They wouldn't take my friends credit card! Luckily we had enough cash to cover it between the 6 of us.

**Jastel** · 21-08-2011, 08:26 PM

Didnt try that one!!

You could pay by credit card inside easily enough as well. It is only the pumps and other automatic ticket machine type things that want the zip code.

All Hotels require ID and a credit card, no zip code problems here but.
If you are from Qld be prepared to be questioned about our "library card" licence as well.

Even using cash is not easy, anything larger than a $20 results in the cashier seeking the manager, x raying it, drawing on it, checking watermarks etc they must have a large forging problem. Several places just refused to accept $50 or $100 notes. You will need a wad of $1 bills for tipping and ticket or vending machines. They do have a $1 coin but I rarely saw them, they do have a $2 note but again I never saw one. You think your loaded but only have $20 on you. On the other side some washing machines etc uses up to 12 quarters to make it work, so you need a wheelbarrow to carry the coins as well. I didnt take any change less than a quarter, there is just too much of it, leave it in the tip jar or the charity box.
They dont round either so lots of 1 and 2 c coins.

Also be aware EVERYTHING has sales tax on it, so the marked price of say $10 will cost you $11.56 (or some random number) at the checkout after sales tax. More if its a tipping situation. Sometimes the tips are added in on the bill, read carefully. Each state has different rates which often change, but normally around the 10% mark at least. If you wanna start an arguement, question them on it, then when they say its too hard to put the FULL ACTUAL price on the sign/menu, ask why you dont pay extra tax on top of Gas. (petrol) They will be speechless.

bawag · 22-08-2011, 08:04 AM

Thanks for that info, so what is the norm for tipping as i have heard of people not getting any service at bars and things for not knowing that you have to tip the waitress, and is this the same for everything, and how much is enough? I understand that the minimum pay over there is rubbish and dont mind tipping.

Sorry for the 40 million questions but i dont want to look the fool, or have my food spat in, ha

sgt_doofey · 22-08-2011, 08:26 AM

About 15% of the bill should see you right. Some receipts will have printed on the bottom suggested tips so keep an eye out for that.
Only tip for any service orientated things. I.e. Restaurants, bars, taxi, etc.

haggard · 23-08-2011, 03:26 PM

with tipping, if you are buying a beer form the bar or waitress, just drop a dollar or two on the bar or give to the waitress.

if you are paying for your meal in a restaruant I found that (in Cali) doubling the sales tax figure was generally in the recommended tipping range.

Valet parking, i gave the bloke a dollar or two as well. The US is quite big on valet parking also.

you don't tip at fast food places or shops.

one more thing, if you park at a shopping centre you can usually get your parking validated if you buy something from there.

sgt_doofey · 23-08-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggard

with tipping, if you are buying a beer form the bar or waitress, just drop a dollar or two on the bar or give to the waitress.

Drop five if she's hot and she might hang around and start chatting to you

hawke · 23-08-2011, 06:57 PM

Where are you going in South America, and are you driving there?

bawag · 23-08-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawke

Where are you going in South America, and are you driving there?

Massive trip booked in South America trying to see as much as we can in the very limited time we could get off work (6 weeks).

After we do the US drive we fly from Miami into Lima, Peru. From there we do the Amazon, off on a 3 day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Pichu take a million photos and then down to La Paz, Bolivia. Then it’s a flight across to Rio, Brazil (may have to watch Fast and the Furious 5 before that) couple of days in and around Rio then get (not sure how yet) down to Iguassu Falls (like Niagara but taller I think). Then we'll cross into Argentina at the falls maybe slip into Paraguay. Trip ends when we fly home out of Buenos Aires, Argentina via a night stopover in New York.

any more advice/tips, anyone?

Cheers Ben

sgt_doofey · 23-08-2011, 11:13 PM

Actually, one other thing I remembered. Not sure if it's the same or just in California, but driving on the highways in peak times and coming across a merging lane on to the highway = traffic crawls to a stop. Once past the merging lane = all back to normal again.

Yellow_Festiva · 23-08-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawag

Massive trip booked in South America trying to see as much as we can in the very limited time we could get off work (6 weeks).

After we do the US drive we fly from Miami into Lima, Peru. From there we do the Amazon, off on a 3 day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Pichu take a million photos and then down to La Paz, Bolivia. Then it’s a flight across to Rio, Brazil (may have to watch Fast and the Furious 5 before that) couple of days in and around Rio then get (not sure how yet) down to Iguassu Falls (like Niagara but taller I think). Then we'll cross into Argentina at the falls maybe slip into Paraguay. Trip ends when we fly home out of Buenos Aires, Argentina via a night stopover in New York.

any more advice/tips, anyone?

Cheers Ben

I have just finished a few weeks of research regarding a similar trip (was tossing up between South America or Southern Africa). I found that a lot of south American tour companys do not run anything from around mid Dec to mid-late Feb. I questioned my agent on this and she said the weather was not the most comfortable, so it was their low season so to speak.

From what I understand, you need to book tickets to do the Inca trail?? She also said that it may be closed for a week for a clean up some time in Jan?? Look into this further, as you don't want to get there and not be able to do it.

Really hit the trip-advisor site and make your own travel guide from the info there. If you are doing it without help, know the procedures for border crossings etc. You were questioning getting from place to place as well, you can ask on trip advisor and get pretty good info pretty quickly I found.

Know the scams and traps, know how to spot dodgy transport providers (only use well known public transport whenever possible). Look into public holidays / festivals etc.

I had 7 weeks to play with when planning my trip (Early Dec to the end of Jan) - even found an Antarctic cruise that fitted in my dates purfectly!, but due to the weather (I don't do well at all in humid heat), the fact that I had bugger all tour options I chose Africa.

Just finalised and paid for it today actually, 6 week safari from Joburg to Nairobi and extended (2-3 day) stop overs on the way home in Zurich and Hong Kong.

I can't wait!

See your doctor regarding shots. A blood test can show what you already have floating around in your system in regards to immunisation so you may not need the lot.

Also, take a generous amount of generic medicines etc. A course of anti-biotics, tablets for the runs (immodium works a treat, trust me) water purification tablets, anti-septic creams, anti-histamines, pain killers etc etc etc. Nothing is worse than being in the middle of nowhere and getting sick.

Hope you have a great trip as well ;)

hawke · 26-08-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawag

Massive trip booked in South America trying to see as much as we can in the very limited time we could get off work (6 weeks).

After we do the US drive we fly from Miami into Lima, Peru. From there we do the Amazon, off on a 3 day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Pichu take a million photos and then down to La Paz, Bolivia. Then it’s a flight across to Rio, Brazil (may have to watch Fast and the Furious 5 before that) couple of days in and around Rio then get (not sure how yet) down to Iguassu Falls (like Niagara but taller I think). Then we'll cross into Argentina at the falls maybe slip into Paraguay. Trip ends when we fly home out of Buenos Aires, Argentina via a night stopover in New York.

any more advice/tips, anyone?

Cheers Ben

There will be advice that when you get to Cusco, you shoud rest for at least 24 hours. Take that advice, otherwise you could get altitute sickness. It makes you very ill, confused and can kill you. When you get off the plane at Cusco, you can buy Oxygen bottles for about $10US. Buy one - I wish we did. Most good hotels will have Oxgyen supplies, but you have to ask and look, otherwise chew or drink the Coca tea or leaves. They will be in every hotel lobby. We got altitude sickness on the first day - it is debilitating.

You can walk the Inca trail or catch the train and bus. Its a matter of time, interest and comfort. Machu Pichu must be done first thing in the morning. It gets crowded, and if you get up to the Sun Gate - do it first. Remember, there are no hand rails, fences or other safety things - this is the land that OH&S forgot. If you are concered about heights - this is not the place for you.

Do not drive in this part of the world, unless you wish to die. It is no surprise the road into LaPaz is advertised as the most dangerous road in the world.

Catch the train if you can from Cusco to Puno - The Andean Express - it is more Andean than express, but it is one of the worlds best train rides. Only go first class - its affordable, and you get a lounge chair to sit in. No one died by being too comfortable.

A bus will take you from Puno - on lake Titikaka - to La Paz. The border crossing into Bolivia seems to come out of a film set - think Romancing the Stone or something. A burley South American gun toting border guard lowers the chain for you to step over, you go into a cheap building, much stamping of passports and if you are Isralli - be prepared for a lecture from the border guards on you countries morality. There was an Isralli familiy when we crossed who had broken the golden rule - you cant win an argument with a person with epaulettes and a rubber stamp. They may still be there.

You must see the Museum of Cocaine in La Paz. Pretty cheap production - but nothing like it else in the world. Of course - beware the huge markets in La Paz - El Mecredeo Negro - Black Markets. They sell goods that dont work, and are fake copies.

Get rid of your Bolivanios before you leave Bolivia - you cant sell them anywhere else - How do I know???

Once any border control person sees your Bolivian visa stamp, be prepared for every drug dog in the world sniff you - and dont put those left over Coca leaves in your pockets - it sends the drug dogs off, and you get searched and searched.

Its a great place, and you wonder why you didnt listen in 6th class to what Ms Walton was saying about Inca history.