Overland USA and
Border Crossings from Mexico & from Canada
USA Visas:
The situation changes constantly regarding USA Visas and is very home country dependant so best to check the correct information at www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1265.html
As we planed to travel in and out of the USA/Canada/Mexico over a number of years we elected to get a 5 year multiple entry visa. This allowed us to stay in the USA for up to 6 months at a time.
3rd Party Liability Vehicle Insurance:
For a vehicle both 3rd Party Personal injuries and Property Damage insurance is a compulsory requirement. Not all insurance companies will accept such cover for a non-resident, non USA registered vehicle. The American Automobile Association (AAA) for example does not offer such insurance.
After much searching we found Progressive Casualty Insurance Co and their agent in Los Angeles; Galaxy Insurance very helpful.
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Galaxy Insurance
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2403 E Anaheim Street
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Long Beach, CA 90804
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Phone: (562)438-7000
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Email: csr@galaxyinsurance.com
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To complete the paperwork you will need your registration papers, international drivers licence, and a local address for the posting of the original insurance documents. You could use Galaxy’s address and collect your policy from them.
The value of insurance will depend on the zip code for the ‘garaging’ of the vehicle. Although the vehicle may well be continually travelling this is a computer field on the policy that must be completed. We used the zip code for Long Beach. The cost of the policy is also less if both spouses sign the form.
The amount of minimal limit coverage for personal and property does vary by state, and this should be taken into account when selecting the policy values.
The policy covers all of the USA, Alaska and Canada; however before travel to Canada either the insurer or the selling agent must be contacted for them issue a ‘cover note for Canada’. This “Canada NON-RESIDENT Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card” is issued FREE.
Galaxy also stated that they can also organise 3rd Party insurance for Mexico, however I believe you have to still maintain your USA insurance. See Mexico Overland for more info.
For the 12 months 3rd Party Insurance we paid US$125.00. This covered us for Body Injury Liability $100,000 each person/$300,000 each accident and Property Damage Liability $50,000 each accident. The policy was called RV Insurance.
After receiving your policy you should log onto the Progressive web site and change your preference of address to E-mail. Renewal of the policy can then be done on the Progressives web site and the using a credit card.
Border Crossing into the USA from Mexico:
The following describes the immigration and customs process at Tecate, other border crossings may well be similar.
We chose Tecate because of the reported trouble related to the drug cartels that are mostly around the border areas. In some order of ‘risk’, Tajuana seems the worst with Mexicali second and the smaller town of Tecate the most favoured for travellers.
Should you have entered Mexico at this town or another town, the exit point is NOT necessarily the same point you may have previously entered. In Tecate it is about 2 kms further east.
Before you leave Mexico you must go to a BANJERCITO (Mexican Army Bank) and return in the “Temporary Import Permit“ and the “Vehicle Return Promise Agreement Form”. The vehicle security deposit or bond agreement will be returned at this time.
At the outbound or inbound Mexican Immigration Office, you also have to hand over your Tourist Card (FM-T).
At Tecate there is NO outbound customs/passport checkout from Mexico at the USA Customs Check-in point. After entering the USA we walked back into Mexico with our passports to have the Tourist card (FM-T) removed and our exits stamped. We then again exited through the USA Customs procedure.
As you enter the USA immigration area, the first gate will check your passports, visas, and ask a few relevant questions. Should you have any fruit, meats, eggs or vegetables it is here they should be declared, because at the second inspection point the inspectors will be looking through the vehicle. At the second check point you are asked to leave the vehicle, and stand away out of sight of the vehicle whilst the officers do their inspection. Any prohibited food stuffs they will remove from the vehicle. There are no vehicle related issues, no registration inspection, no import procedures, no insurance offered. Once cleared you can proceed.
Border Crossing into the USA from Canada:
This is a very painless and efficient procedure.
There is no ‘checkout’ from Canada and one just presents the passports at the USA control point. There is no import procedure for the vehicle, no vehicle check, nor 3rd party insurance offered or inspected.
Most of the USA Customs personnel are helpful and nice, occasionally we have come across one, usually female, that is officious to the extent that one feel very unwelcome.
Travelling the USA:
Driving would be described as more of a road trip than an adventure, although there are some wonderful natural and historical sites on the “Must See List”.
Everything is well signposted and organised. The use of a TomTom or Nuvi Street Finder will save considerable distress at the multiple freeway roundabouts and flyovers.
In many states it is ILLEGAL to have 3 or in some cases 5 vehicles trailing behind a slower vehicle. Even on a straight road with dotted lines, and no approaching vehicles many American drivers WILL NOT PASS, and will trail behind for miles waiting for you to pull over. Others with experience will just pull out and pass. Preferring to see the country and travel around 80 to 90 KPH (45-50MPH) and were pulled over by the police on an open road with no oncoming traffic. It was explained that it is our responsibility to get off the road, and not to rely on the skill (or lack of ...my insert) of the driver behind to pass!
In the US you can turn right at a red light after stopping - what a sensible rule.
Alaska:
I mention this specifically because so many Americans think the road north to Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse is rough and dangerous. The summer roads are well graded gravel and give very easy travel at speeds beyond 80Kph (45Mph). My comment “The Dalton Highway is one of the best 500km long gravel roads on 5 continents”.
Obviously Winter presents a very different set of problems.
Bears in Alaska:
Be aware they are out there, we saw many. There are numerous warning signs about walking in the bush. Many telling you how to behave and if necessary how to fight back!
My suggestion take a whistle, talk loudly, make noises, and if you see bear scats on the track retreat!
This female was on our track so we retreated!
Telephone Connection:
Without a USA Social Security number it is almost impossible to get internet or a telephone connection. Even some pre-paid suppliers required this and it was only T-Mobile who allowed us to purchase a prepaid without ID. For telephone we paid $40 for a number, activation kit, an electronic pin, and a T-Mobile pre paid SIM card, giving us 1500 Nationwide Voice or Messaging and 30 MD of data.
There are numerous prepaid telephone cards available, most country specific.
With internet connection we found Skype the best and even used as a telephone the charges are still much better than the prepaid cards or having your own telephone number.
Internet Connection:
Almost a necessary. Again it was T-mobile who could only offer us connect-ability without a Social Security Number. Using their Hot spot device (about $150) and a monthly pre-paid card ($50) we got unlimited national WiFi access without an annual commitment.
Keep in mind that any telephone/internet coverage is NOT like Australia and is limited to the cities and some country towns. Some 5kms out of town you will NOT have service.
An Apple App called “Free WiFi” will give a GPS map of available Free WiFi. Free WiFi is available in range of most McDonalds, Safeways, Coffee Clubs etc.
Rather than park your vehicle almost inside a McDonald's etc we now use a Ubiquiti product called a PicoStation M2 that strengthens the WiFi signal to our Apple Mac. Coupled to that I have added another 2.4Ghz panel antenna increasing the range up to something like 15kms. The set up was a bit of a challenge from the Apple side but now that is mastered it works well. To save others the trouble here is my set up procedure for the Apple Mac. Setting up the Pico on a Apple Mac for Internet.docx
National Park Pass:
An ‘America The Beautiful’ Park Pass will save you hundreds of $$$’s. For a one off fee of US$80 the owner and up to three adults in the one vehicle can visit all of the US National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for free for one year. See www.store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html for more details.
Camping:
Surprisingly there are a good number of places one can camp for free. This particularly applies to the more ‘isolated’ states of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Texas etc.
The state of California is desperate for revenue and even charges to park in a car park at any small beach. Most trails into the state parks are chained off to prevent access or camping. Although we did find free camping at times we were committed to stay in RV parks. These vary in price from US$20 to US$75/night depending on the location in the US.
Our best information source was an the Apple App called “AllStays Camp & RV”. It gives a good GPS map with numerous free and paid camping in National Forests, County Parks, State Parks, Independent Camp Grounds, BLM (Public Lands), RV repair shops, Rest Areas etc all across the USA and Alaska. Touching the symbol will give further information as to number of sites, opening times, directions, general descriptions and reviews.
If you have internet connection you can also link to the external web site from the link provided for further information on the National Park or Camp Ground.
The GPS map is detailed enough to show small tracks that may lead to good free camping sites. Remember to download the maps etc whilst you have internet connection.
It is also possible to free camp in most WalMarts across the US. The above App indicates those where it is and is not possible. Some WalMarts are open 24 hours most open from 6am to 10pm providing toilet access.
Another good area to camp is on BLM or Bureau of Land Management land. This is public land where free or by donation camping is available. Normally this is by a river and set aside for fishermen’s use. Maps of BLM land can be obtained for free from National Park HQ’s or sometimes from State Information Centres.
A Picnic Area has tables and chairs but no facilities, and a Rest Area has table and chairs, toilets as well as local information, sometimes an external water tap.
Food:
Amongst the vast number of food outlets it is only Safeways that offer a Club Discount Card that is NOT sent to a home address. The card can be applied for in store and received at the same time. The Safeway’s chain includes Vons in California, Carrs in Alaska, Randall's in Texas, Dominick's in Michigan etc. Almost every large town has a Safeways and most with free internet, accessible in the car park.
Not only can you save 8 to 15% off food items but the card can save up to 15cents in fuel purchases.
Fuel:
Fuel prices vary considerably state by state and across towns. Not always is Diesel available, even at some larger establishments. For the best pricing an Apple App called “GAS PRICE USA” is very helpful provided you have internet connection. This App provides a GPS map and lists all the fuel stations and their current selling price. You can also pre-set the search by fuel type, eg Diesel, LPG etc.
Overall we found the fuel stations at the large chain stores like Walmart, SafeWays, Fred Myers offered the best prices. See above for further savings at Safeways on food and fuel.
Walmart seems to have an affiliation with Murphy USA and you can cross discount purchases.
In September 2011 in Alaska we paid for Diesel US$4.38 to 4.69/Gal. On the Dalton it is cheaper in Deadhorse than at the half way point in Coldfoot.
In the southern States during mid 2011 - US$4.14 to 4.40/Gallon
Diesel Pumps have a green hose.
We travelled 185 days and 49,600Kms through the US, Canada and Alaska.
Fuel calculated at an average of US$4.14/US Gal (US$1.095/Lt) and totaled US$9,207.00
We averaged 17.51 MPG or 16.13 L/100Kms and calculates to 0.177C/km
Water:
Easy to get if staying in a RV park, but otherwise some forward planning is necessary. Most small service stations do not provide external taps or hoses. The larger chain store fuel stations do have external taps and do not mind you using them after asking. Note the thread is slightly different from Australian tap thread.
Some road side rest areas and information centres do have water taps. Most National Parks etc have water supply.
Generally the water quality is good although we put all our drinking water through the on board filter. A road side ‘picnic area’ has only tables and chairs no facilities but a ‘rest area’ has most facilities.
For our actual Travel Diary through USA /Canada see:
2012 Canada USA Nove Scotia Part 36-42