US: Route from California to Nevada with National Parks, tailor-made by car

Important remarks

- Tips in US are a common practice.

- Generally in US the accommodation in the triple rooms have two double beds or one double and one single bed and the quadruple accommodation has two double beds.

- Driving in the USA: 1.Overtaking on the right is not only legal but everyone does it. And the sooner you get used to roads with more than five lanes, the better. 2.It is legal (and mandatory) to turn right on a red light when there is a signal to do so. 3. With regard to parking, make sure you check when you can park on the street and never park in front of a fire hydrant (even though there are no signs prohibiting it). If there are lines painted on the road to mark out parking spaces, leave the car right in the middle of them, however huge the gap may seem. Be especially careful in the centre of big cities and don't let the parking meter go over by even one minute (check before paying because there are days of the week or certain times when you don't have to pay). 4.Beware of tolls. They will be indicated with the words toll or turnpike and don't usually have a barrier, so you can drive through them without realising and then receive a fine a few weeks later. Don't drive in FasTrak Only lanes and make sure you have some cash on you, as some tolls are cash-only. 5.Unless you want a ticket and a stern chat from a Highway Patrol Officer, it's best not to drive more than five or ten miles above the maximum speed allowed for the road. If the police end up stopping you, keep your hands on the steering wheel and in sight at all times and don't even think about trying to be funny. 6.We recommend signing up to roadside assistance services and a GPS when you hire a car.

- Consult the entry restrictions and additional requirements for people who have previously traveled to destinations such as Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, etc.

- Hotels may charge a Resort Fee charge that must be paid directly at the destination. The amount can vary between approximately $15 and $65 per room per night. This charge is indicative and may be modified depending on the establishment's policy.

- Almost all National Parks have an information centre for visitors with very friendly and welcoming rangers, always willing to do everything possible for tourists to enjoy their visit. Most of the parks have routes, hiking trails, parking spaces, toilets, kiosks, restaurants, guided tours, donkey or horse tours and educational centres. The National Park Service runs a great website with excellent information about its parks: www.nps.gov. We recommend buying an Annual Pass (cost $80) if you plan to visit two or more national parks (entrance to a national park with a car usually costs about $35). This pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase. At parks that charge a fee per vehicle, the pass covers the holder and the passengers in a private vehicle. At parks that charge fees per person, the pass covers the holder and three more passengers (children under sixteen have free admission). For further information about National Park Passes, visit www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm. You can buy the pass at the entrance to many parks (list here: https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/PassIssuanceList.pdf) or online (https://store.usgs.gov/pass). Within the typical west coast route, there are several iconic must-visit parks that aren't included in this pass, such as Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, so you have to pay for admission separately.

- The proposed excursions and tours for each day are purely suggestions, as you can tailor the trip to suit your times, tastes and needs.

- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.

- Hotels usually have cots available. Otherwise, babies will have to share a bed with an adult.

- To pick up your rental car, you'll need a credit (not debit) card in the name of the person who made the booking, who must also be the named driver of the vehicle.

- You must give notice that you are going to cross the border while collecting the vehicle. Authorisation may be required to drive through certain countries or areas/states (as is the case in the US and Canada). Depending on the conditions set out in the rental contract and the company hired, you might be charged a surcharge payable at the destination office.