Planning a USA Road Trip: 3 Months from New York to Los Angeles

Traveling coast to coast across the United States – from the bustling streets of New York City to the sunny shores of California – is a dream adventure for many. Three months, 20 states, 11 national parks, 9 major cities, and countless unforgettable experiences. For us, this road trip was more than a journey – it was a true adventure that brought freedom, challenges, and memories we’ll cherish forever.

In this blog series, we’ll guide you through planning your own USA road trip, share the crucial steps for preparation, and reveal the experiences we had traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Part 1: The Right Planning – From Idea to Route

The foundation of any epic road trip is careful preparation. We spent nearly two months organizing everything before starting our adventure in New York.

1. Advance Travel Planning

🕒 How long should you plan for a USA road trip?

For our trip, we chose three months – perfect for traveling at a relaxed pace, making spontaneous stops, and getting the most out of owning a car. This timeframe gives enough flexibility to explore both major cities and natural wonders across the country.

🗺️ What route works best for a coast-to-coast road trip?

Before booking anything, map out a rough route. We wanted a mix of coastlines, national parks, and big cities, so our path looked like this:
New York → Boston → Niagara Falls → Toronto → Chicago → Badlands → Yellowstone → Colorado → Utah → Arizona → Las Vegas → California

Tip: Keep your itinerary flexible – you’ll want the freedom to adapt to weather, local recommendations, or unexpected events.

🏙️ Where to stay at the start in New York?

After a long flight, spend a few days in New York City to recover from jet lag, settle in, and purchase your vehicle. We stayed at Arlo Midtown, a modern, centrally located hotel with a rooftop bar – perfect for exploring Manhattan. Check out our New York Hotel Guide for more options.

✈️ How to book affordable flights for a USA road trip?

Booking round-trip tickets is usually cheaper, even if your departure airport differs from your arrival (e.g., arriving in NYC and leaving from LAX). These “open-jaw” flights often beat two one-way tickets. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner, book early, and don’t forget to add at least one checked bag.

💳 How much should you budget for a road trip?

We planned around $1,000 per month (excluding the car purchase), covering food, gas, and entrance fees.
Tip: Cooking your own meals and sleeping in a van can dramatically reduce costs.

📍 How to plan your route on the go?

Create a Google My Maps with your destinations, fuel stops, and accommodations. You can save it offline, which is essential when driving through remote national parks without signal.

2. Organizing Your Documents

🛂 Which visa or ESTA do you need?

For trips up to 90 days, the ESTA program (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) is sufficient. For longer stays or special purposes, apply for a B-2 tourist visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.

🚗 Do you need an international driver’s license?

Yes – an international driver’s license is required alongside your valid EU license. In Germany, you can get it at the Straßenverkehrsamt with your ID/passport and EU license.

🏥 Which insurance policies are essential?

Travel health insurance
Car insurance, especially if buying a vehicle

📑 How to secure your documents on the road?

Keep digital backups of passports, licenses, and important papers. Store your credit cards in Apple Pay or Google Pay as a backup in case your physical cards are lost.

💵 What forms of payment are needed in the USA?

Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, but carry $100–200 in cash for small purchases or tips.

3. eSIM vs. SIM Card in the USA

We needed a US phone number for car registration and insurance, so we got a physical SIM card. For everything else, an eSIM is ideal – instant activation, perfect for navigation, bookings, and social media.

Simly proved to be a reliable provider for both US SIM cards and eSIMs. We pre-ordered a SIM and received it by mail, ready to use upon arrival. The eSIM allowed us to stay connected on our second phone, giving full flexibility.

Simly US SIM card

Benefits of eSIMs:

Immediate activation, no physical card required
Data plan for navigation, bookings, and social media
Flexible usage – one person can use a SIM, another an eSIM

Simly USA eSIM

4. Buying a Car in the USA

For our three-month road trip, we chose to buy a van instead of renting.

Which models are suitable? Vans with foldable seats are ideal for creating a flat sleeping area. Popular options include the Dodge Grand Caravan. Fully converted vans are also available through specialized Facebook groups.

➡️ Part 2 of our guide will cover buying a car, converting it, and tips for the perfect road-trip van.

Our conclusion: A USA road trip requires preparation – but that’s what makes it so rewarding. From the ESTA application to buying your car, the better you plan, the more freedom you’ll enjoy on the road. And the moment you drive through Manhattan and kick off your adventure, you’ll know every hour of planning was worth it.