Country

United States

First trip: one coast, not both. Pick 2–3 bases (for example New York 4 + Washington or Boston 3, or Los Angeles/San Francisco + a national-park loop by car) for 7–14 nights, and fly any leg over about 600 km (373 mi).First trip: one coast, not both. Pick 2–3 bases (for example New York 4 + Washington or Boston 3, or Los Angeles/San Francisco + a national-park loop by car) for 7–14 nights, and fly any leg over about 373 mi (600 km).

Open Americas Plan a trip Compare in Americas

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2 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days

Every region, city and park in United States (Atlas) →

Key facts

Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct by month →
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: US dollar (USD, $)
Language: English
Plugs: A · B · 120 V
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10

Month by monthIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 3Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…

Understand in one strip

Capital: Washington, DC; New York is the largest city and main gateway
Language: English; Spanish widely spoken in the Southwest, Florida, Texas and big cities
Currency: US dollar (USD, $); prices shown before sales tax
Plugs: Types A and B; 120 V 60 Hz
Driving: Right-hand side; home licence usually fine for visits, IDP helpful — rules by state
Tipping: Expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis
Emergency: 911 (police, fire, ambulance) everywhere
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−5 (New York) to UTC−10 (Hawaii); daylight saving mid-March to early November, not in Hawaii or most of Arizona

The contiguous US is about 4,500 km coast to coast and spans four time zones (six with Alaska and Hawaii); trips break when a map-sized wish list meets real driving days. The big cities work on transit and walking, the national parks and the West only work by car. Entry needs an ESTA or a visa decided before you book, national parks increasingly need timed-entry reservations in peak season, and tipping and sales tax are added to almost every price you see.

About United States

A federal republic of 50 states and about 340 million people, the world's largest economy and a nation of immigrants. States set many of the rules a visitor meets: sales tax, alcohol and cannabis laws, driving rules. Politics are sharply divided, and immigration and entry policy changed repeatedly in 2025–26.

Where's good this month

Each region's weather and verdict, holidays, crowds

NovemberGo with a planCrowds medium· Prices medium

Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.

Where's good: Southeast and Florida, Gulf and Deep South, Desert Southwest, California coast

Southeast and FloridaMiami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, CharlestonGood
Goodbest: dry, mild
Winter is dry and warm in South Florida; summer brings daily storms and heat; hurricane risk June–November, peak August–October.
Gulf and Deep SouthNew Orleans, Houston, Nashville, AtlantaGood
Goodbest: dry, mild
Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is hot and humid; hurricanes reach the Gulf coast.
Desert SouthwestLas Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death ValleyGood
Goodbest: dry, mild
Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 40–45 °C (104–113 °F) in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 104–113 °F (40–45 °C) in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.
California coastSan Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big SurGood
Goodbest: dry, mild
Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
NortheastNew York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, MaineFair
Fairok: workable
Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 30 °C (86 °F)+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 86 °F (30 °C)+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.
Midwest and Great LakesChicago, Detroit, MinneapolisFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
Hard winters (−15 °C (5 °F) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.Hard winters (5 °F (−15 °C) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.
Rockies and national parksYellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, DenverFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.
AlaskaAnchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside PassageFair
Faircool: jacket, grey
The visitor season is roughly mid-May to mid-September; winter is for northern lights in Fairbanks.
HawaiiOʻahu, Maui, Big Island, KauaʻiFair
Fairok: workable
Warm all year; winter brings big north-shore surf and more rain on windward coasts.
Pacific NorthwestSeattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount RainierPoor
Poorwet: daily rain
Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.

Holidays and festivals in November

Veterans Day · 11 Nov — Federal offices and banks closed.
Thanksgiving · 4th Thursday of November — Busiest travel days of the year; many shops and restaurants close on the day. Black Friday shopping follows.

Pick a route

Nights per stop, as the guide plans them

7 days10 days14 days

Northeast by train

New York, 4 nightsArrival + day plans
Washington, DC, 3 nightsNo guide yet

Swap Washington for Boston if you prefer; fly home from the second city.

Canyon country loop

Las Vegas, 1 nightsBasic guide
Zion (Springdale), 2 nightsNo guide yet
Bryce Canyon, 1 nightsNo guide yet
Page, 2 nightsBasic guide
Grand Canyon South Rim, 2 nightsNo guide yet
Las Vegas, 2 nightsBasic guide

Non-resident annual pass (US$250 — check) pays off here: Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon all charge the surcharge.

California classic

San Francisco, 3 nightsBasic guide
Yosemite, 3 nightsNo guide yet
Monterey / Carmel, 2 nightsNo guide yet
Santa Barbara, 2 nightsBasic guide
Los Angeles, 4 nightsBasic guide

One-way car hire; check Highway 1 closures and Yosemite reservation rules.

Customize this route Explore cities

Top destinations in United States, ranked

For a first or second trip

Ranked for a first or second trip; each region is its own trip.

New York
Arrival + day plans
The easiest first base: museums, neighbourhoods, Broadway.
4–5 nights in New York · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Dec
Washington, DC
No guide yet
Free museums and monuments; train from New York.
2–3 nights in Washington, DC · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Grand Canyon
No guide yet
The defining US landscape; South Rim by car.
2 nights in Grand Canyon · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
San Francisco
Basic guide
Walkable hills and bay; base for Yosemite.
3 nights in San Francisco · Best Sep–Oct
Yosemite
No guide yet
Granite cliffs and waterfalls.
2 nights in Yosemite · Best May–Jun, Sep
Los Angeles
Basic guide
Beaches, film, museums — with a car.
3–4 nights in Los Angeles · Best Apr–Nov
Yellowstone
No guide yet
Geysers and wildlife.
3 nights in Yellowstone · Best Jun–Sep
New Orleans
Basic guide
Music and food.
3 nights in New Orleans · Best Feb–May, Oct–Nov
Chicago
Basic guide
Architecture and lakefront.
3 nights in Chicago · Best May–Oct
Miami and the Keys
No guide yet
Beaches and Art Deco in winter.
4 nights in Miami and the Keys · Best Dec–Apr

Show all 10 destinationsShow fewer

Decide the trip

What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it

Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights

Understand in one stripCapital · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Tipping · Emergency · Time zone8 parts

Capital: Washington, DC; New York is the largest city and main gateway
Language: English; Spanish widely spoken in the Southwest, Florida, Texas and big cities
Currency: US dollar (USD, $); prices shown before sales tax
Plugs: Types A and B; 120 V 60 Hz
Driving: Right-hand side; home licence usually fine for visits, IDP helpful — rules by state
Tipping: Expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis
Emergency: 911 (police, fire, ambulance) everywhere
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−5 (New York) to UTC−10 (Hawaii); daylight saving mid-March to early November, not in Hawaii or most of Arizona

United States: open now, and what is next

3 regions planned

On this page

1 of 4 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
5147 basic city guides
How to split 7, 10, 14 days
Money: cash, cards and ATMs
Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below

Coming as the guide grows

California — San Francisco and Los Angeles, Highway 1, Yosemite by car · 6–10 nights
Southwest (Grand Canyon and Utah parks) — Las Vegas or Phoenix as the air gateway, then a park loop by car · 6–10 nights
Florida — Miami, Orlando theme parks and the Keys · 5–8 nights

Meanwhile

At a glance

1–5, with the reason

Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.

Cost5/5 · expensive

Hotels, tips, tax and healthcare make it one of the costliest countries to travel in.

Cash necessity1/5 · cards everywhere

Cards and phone payments everywhere; a few dollars in cash for tips.

English on the ground5/5 · widely spoken

English everywhere; Spanish widely spoken.

Connectivity4/5 · fast everywhere

Fast mobile data in cities; gaps in national parks and on remote western roads.

Transport ease3/5 · middling

Excellent domestic flights; rail only works well in the Northeast; the rest needs a car.

Safety3/5 · middling

Most visits are trouble-free; road crashes, extreme heat, wildlife and pockets of urban crime are the risks.

Heat / climate risk3/5 · middling

Depends on the zone: desert summers are dangerous, northern winters are harsh.

Understand

People, belief, history that matters on the ground

People: About 340 million; roughly 58% non-Hispanic white, 20% Hispanic, 12% Black, 6% Asian, plus Native American and multiracial populations.
Government: Federal republic; 50 states plus DC and territories such as Puerto Rico.
Land: Fourth-largest country; 63 national parks and over 400 NPS sites.
Economy: Largest in the world; services, technology, finance, farming and energy.

History that still shows on the ground · 9 dates

When	What happened	Where you meet it today
Before 1500	Hundreds of Indigenous nations across the continent	Place names, tribal lands and sites like Mesa Verde.
1607–1733	English colonies on the Atlantic coast	Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg.
1776	Declaration of Independence	Independence Hall, 4 July; the 250th anniversary was in 2026.
1803–1848	Louisiana Purchase and westward expansion	The West, the Oregon Trail, displacement of Native nations.
1861–65	Civil War and abolition of slavery	Battlefields, the South's history, Juneteenth.
1872	Yellowstone becomes the first national park	The national park idea.
1892–1954	Ellis Island era of immigration	New York's neighbourhoods.
1954–68	Civil rights movement	Montgomery, Selma, Memphis and Atlanta sites.
2001	11 September attacks	Airport security and the 9/11 Memorial.

Show all 9 rowsShow fewer

Read or watch before you go

Bill Bryson — The Lost Continent.
John Steinbeck — Travels with Charley.

First trip vs second trip

Which regions, and what to leave

Trip	Go to	Why	Leave for later
First trip (7–10 nights)	New York 4–5 + Washington or Boston by train	No car, dense sights, direct flights from everywhere.	Adding the West Coast in the same week.
First trip, West (10–14 nights)	San Francisco + Yosemite + Highway 1 + Los Angeles, or Las Vegas + Grand Canyon + Utah parks	The classic road trips; one airport in, one out.	Driving between the two loops, or July in the desert.
Second trip	New Orleans + Memphis + Nashville, or Yellowstone + Grand Teton + Glacier	Music cities by road, or the northern Rockies in summer.	Doing Yellowstone as a day trip — it needs 3 nights inside or at the gates.
Third trip or slow travel	Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii or the Southwest's Four Corners	Longer flights or drives, big landscapes.	Alaska outside mid-May to mid-September unless you want winter.

Good for…

Where each kind of traveller does best

Verdict is how well the United States works for that traveller.

English, easy logistics and familiar culture; distances and costs are the traps.

1New York — no car needed.

Time math

How to split a stay, by total days in the country

7 days in total: New York 4 + Washington or Boston 3 by train; no car
10 days in total: Fly into Las Vegas: Grand Canyon, Zion/Bryce and back, 1–2 nights per stop, with park reservations booked first
14 days in total: California: San Francisco 3 + Yosemite 2 + Highway 1 2 + Los Angeles 4, one-way car hire, plus 3 spare

Which regions fit my nights?

Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.

Regions you want to see

Northeast (New York, Boston, Washington)City bases linked by Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor; no car needed5–8 nights
CaliforniaSan Francisco and Los Angeles, Highway 1, Yosemite by carPage still planned6–10 nights
Southwest (Grand Canyon and Utah parks)Las Vegas or Phoenix as the air gateway, then a park loop by carPage still planned6–10 nights
FloridaMiami, Orlando theme parks and the KeysPage still planned5–8 nights

Nights you have

Tick the regions you are considering.

Cities

Regions, cities and the places between them

Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do

Regions

4 regions · 1 open

Northeast (New York, Boston, Washington)published

City bases linked by Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor; no car needed

5–8 nights in this region

New York

Californiaplanned

San Francisco and Los Angeles, Highway 1, Yosemite by car

6–10 nights in this region

Southwest (Grand Canyon and Utah parks)planned

Las Vegas or Phoenix as the air gateway, then a park loop by car

6–10 nights in this region

Floridaplanned

Miami, Orlando theme parks and the Keys

5–8 nights in this region

Cities

The ones to know; each says what Voykit has for it

New YorkArrival + day plans

Museums, neighbourhoods, Broadway and the easiest first base; no car needed.

Washington, DCNo guide yet

Free Smithsonian museums, monuments, Capitol; 3 h from New York by train.

BostonBasic guide

Colonial history, universities, seafood; walkable.

ChicagoBasic guide

Architecture, lakefront, museums and blues.

New OrleansBasic guide

Jazz, Creole food, the French Quarter and Mardi Gras.

MiamiBasic guide

Beaches, Art Deco, Cuban and Latin culture; gateway to the Keys.

San FranciscoBasic guide

Hills, bay, Golden Gate; base for Yosemite and wine country.

Los AngelesBasic guide

Beaches, film industry, museums; drive-everywhere city.

Las VegasBasic guide

Casino strip and the air gateway to the Grand Canyon and Utah parks.

SeattleBasic guide

Coffee, waterfront and the gateway to the Pacific Northwest parks.

Show all 10 citiesShow fewer

Other destinations

Parks, bays, heritage sites, islands

Place	What	Getting there	Why go / verdict
Grand Canyon	National park	Drive from Las Vegas (4.5 h) or Phoenix (3.5 h)	South Rim viewpoints and rim trails; the inner canyon is a serious hike. Non-resident surcharge applies — check.
Yellowstone	National park	Fly to Jackson, Bozeman or Salt Lake City and drive	Geysers, hot springs and wildlife; 3 nights minimum.
Yosemite	National park	4 h drive from San Francisco	Granite valley and waterfalls; peak-season reservations — check.
Zion and Bryce Canyon	National parks	2.5–4 h from Las Vegas	Slot canyons and hoodoos; Zion shuttle in season.
Highway 1 / Big Sur	Coastal drive	San Francisco – Los Angeles, 2–3 days	Cliffs over the Pacific; check for landslide closures.
Grand Teton and Glacier	National parks	Car from Jackson or Kalispell	Alpine lakes and the Going-to-the-Sun Road (about July–September).
Florida Keys	Island chain	Drive from Miami (Key West 3.5–4 h)	Reef snorkelling, the Overseas Highway.
New England in autumn	Foliage and villages	Car from Boston	Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine colours in late September–October.
Monument Valley and Four Corners	Navajo Nation lands	Car from Page or Moab	Buttes and Native-guided tours.
Hawaii	Islands	5–6 h flight from the West Coast	Volcanoes, beaches and hiking; pick one or two islands.

Show all 10 placesShow fewer

See

By theme, not by list

New York classics

The Met · New York
Central Park · New York
9/11 Memorial · New York
Grand Central Terminal · New York

Group sights by neighbourhood; book timed tickets for the Statue of Liberty ferry from the official seller only.

Washington's free museums

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum · Washington, DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture · Washington, DC
Lincoln Memorial · Washington, DC

Most Smithsonian museums are free; some need free timed passes.

Western national parks

Grand Canyon South Rim · Arizona
Yosemite Valley · California
Old Faithful · Yellowstone, Wyoming
Arches · Utah

Buy the non-resident annual pass if you visit two or more surcharge parks, and book timed entry where required.

Do

Where, when, what it costs

Activity	Where	Best months	Cost (2026 estimate)	Verdict
National-park road trip	Southwest, California, Rockies	Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct	US$250 non-resident pass + car + lodging	The signature US trip; plan distances in hours, not miles.
Broadway show	New York	All year	US$80–300; TKTS booth for same-day discounts	Buy from the theatre or TKTS, not resellers.
Live music	New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Austin	All year	Free–US$40 cover	Frenchmen Street and Broadway (Nashville) nightly.
Baseball, basketball or American football game	Big cities	Baseball Apr–Sep, football Sep–Jan, basketball Oct–Jun	US$20–200+	Baseball is the cheapest, most relaxed way in.
Hiking	National parks and forests	By zone	Park entry	Start early; permits for popular routes (Half Dome, Angels Landing) — check.
Skiing	Colorado, Utah, Vermont, California	Dec–Mar	Lift tickets US$150–300 a day	Buy multi-resort passes months ahead.

Connect the cities

Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities

Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities

Itineraries by length

Nights per stop (the number after each place); fly the long legs

Fly between regions, drive within them; book park reservations and lodging before flights.

7 days

Northeast by train

New York → Amtrak → Washington, DC

New York4n
Washington, DC3n

Swap Washington for Boston if you prefer; fly home from the second city.

10 days

Canyon country loop

Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Page → Grand Canyon → Las Vegas

Las Vegas1n
Zion (Springdale)2n
Bryce Canyon1n
Page2n
Grand Canyon South Rim2n
Las Vegas2n

Non-resident annual pass (US$250 — check) pays off here: Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon all charge the surcharge.

14 days

California classic

San Francisco → Yosemite → Monterey → Big Sur → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles

San Francisco3n
Yosemite3n
Monterey / Carmel2n
Santa Barbara2n
Los Angeles4n

One-way car hire; check Highway 1 closures and Yosemite reservation rules.

Build a route

Days and interests in, cities, nights, transfers and cost out

Days in United States

Interests (optional)

Based on: Canyon country loop (10 days, itineraries by length)

Las Vegas1 night
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Zion2 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Bryce Canyon1 night
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Page2 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Grand Canyon South Rim2 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Las Vegas2 nights

Non-resident annual pass (US$250 — check) pays off here: Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon all charge the surcharge.

Open the trip planner

What this route costs

StyleTravelers

Las Vegas1 nightUS$550
Zion2 nightsUS$1,100
Bryce Canyon1 nightUS$550
Page2 nightsUS$1,100
Grand Canyon South Rim2 nightsUS$1,100
Las Vegas2 nightsUS$1,100

Total, 2 travelers

US$5,500

Per person per day: US$300

2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.

Getting between cities

Door to door, fastest first · 2026 estimate, check fares

Between	Fastest	Other ways
New York to Boston	Train · 4–5 hTrain about 3 h 45	—	All options →
New York to Washington	Train · 3.5–4 hTrain about 3 h	—	All options →
New York to Philadelphia	Train · 2–2.5 hTrain about 1 h 15–1 h 45	—	All options →
New York to Los Angeles	Flight · 5–6 hUS$80–400 one wayDomestic flight	—	All options →

How each mode works here Any two places: A-to-B Is a rail pass worth it?

This month

Weather and crowds by month

Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate

Year at a glance

Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.

Busiest or big holidays: Feb–Sep, Nov, Dec

Jan
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- New Year's Day (medium impact)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (low impact)
Feb
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: medium
- Mardi Gras (New Orleans) (high impact)
- Presidents' Day (medium impact)
Mar
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Mardi Gras (New Orleans) (high impact)
- Spring break (high impact)
Apr
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Spring break (high impact)
May
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Memorial Day (high impact)
Jun
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Juneteenth (low impact)
Jul
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high
- Independence Day (high impact)
Aug
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high
Sep
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Labor Day (high impact)
Oct
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day (low impact)
Nov
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Thanksgiving (high impact)
- Veterans Day (low impact)
Dec
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high
- Christmas Day (high impact)

Climate by region and month

When each region works

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
NortheastNew York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Maine	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	hot	hot	best	best	ok	cool
Southeast and FloridaMiami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charleston	best	best	best	best	ok	wet	hot	storm	storm	storm	best	best
Gulf and Deep SouthNew Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlanta	ok	ok	best	best	best	hot	hot	storm	storm	best	best	ok
Midwest and Great LakesChicago, Detroit, Minneapolis	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	best	best	best	cool	cool
Rockies and national parksYellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Denver	cool	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool
Desert SouthwestLas Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valley	ok	ok	best	best	best	hot	hot	hot	ok	best	best	ok
California coastSan Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Sur	ok	wet	ok	best	best	ok	best	best	best	best	best	ok
Pacific NorthwestSeattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount Rainier	wet	wet	wet	wet	ok	ok	best	best	best	wet	wet	wet
AlaskaAnchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside Passage	cool	cool	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	ok	cool	cool	cool
HawaiiOʻahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauaʻi	ok	ok	ok	best	best	best	best	best	best	best	ok	ok

best: dry, mildok: workablecool: jacket, greyhot: short walking windowswet: daily rainstorm: typhoon or flood risk

Northeast: Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 30 °C (86 °F)+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 86 °F (30 °C)+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.
Southeast and Florida: Winter is dry and warm in South Florida; summer brings daily storms and heat; hurricane risk June–November, peak August–October.
Gulf and Deep South: Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is hot and humid; hurricanes reach the Gulf coast.
Midwest and Great Lakes: Hard winters (−15 °C (5 °F) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.Hard winters (5 °F (−15 °C) cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.
Rockies and national parks: High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.
Desert Southwest: Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 40–45 °C (104–113 °F) in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 104–113 °F (40–45 °C) in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.
California coast: Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
Pacific Northwest: Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.
Alaska: The visitor season is roughly mid-May to mid-September; winter is for northern lights in Fairbanks.
Hawaii: Warm all year; winter brings big north-shore surf and more rain on windward coasts.

There is no single best month: pick the zone first. May–June and September–October work for most of the country; the Southwest peaks in spring and autumn, Alaska and the Rockies in summer, Florida in winter.

Cost

What a day costs, and how to pay

Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes

Money at a glance

Cash or card, ATMs, a day's spend, tipping

Currency and cash

US dollar (USD, $); prices shown before sales tax

Cards and phones almost everywhere

Cash or card

Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.

A day, per person

BackpackerUS$100–195
Mid-rangeUS$250–460
ComfortUS$640–1,250

Per person per day, bed included

What that covers ↓

Tipping

Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.
Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.
Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.
Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.

Also

Prices are shown before sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state and city.

Money & passes Card, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to pay Tipping calculator

Budget per day, per person

2026 estimate · converted to your currency · totals include a bed

Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Flights, car hire and park passes not included. 2026 estimate, including tax and tips.

Tier	Bed	Food	Transport	Sights	Extras	Total, bed included
BackpackerHostel or campground, supermarket and fast food, transit	US$40–80	US$30–50	US$10–20	US$10–25	US$10–20	US$100–195
Mid-rangeMid-range hotel, casual restaurants, some ride-hailing	US$100–200	US$70–110	US$30–60	US$30–50	US$20–40	US$250–460
ComfortUpscale hotel, good restaurants, private transfers, tours	US$300–600	US$150–250	US$80–150	US$60–150	US$50–100	US$640–1,250

Costs per day

Per person, 2026 estimate

Backpacker

US$90–150

Hostel dorm, supermarket and fast food, transit and buses.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Mid-range

US$220–400

Chain or mid-range hotel (shared), casual restaurants with tip, a rental car share or transit.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Comfort

US$550+

Upscale hotel, restaurants, car or private transfers, tours.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Typical price	Amount
Coffee	US$3–6
Diner breakfast with tip	US$18–30
Dinner at a casual restaurant with tax and tip	US$35–60 per person
Beer in a bar	US$7–12
New York subway ride	US$3 — check
Mid-range hotel room, big city	US$200–400 plus 15–18% tax and fees
Gasoline (petrol)	US$3–5 a gallon (California higher)
National park entry, private vehicle	US$20–35, plus US$100 per non-resident adult at 11 parks — check
America the Beautiful pass, non-resident	US$250 — check
Emergency room visit, uninsured	US$1,500–3,000+ before tests

Show all 10 rowsShow fewer

2026 estimate, per person. Shelf prices exclude sales tax (0–10%+ by state and city); restaurants add a tip of 18–22% on top.

Budget calculator

DaysTravellersStyleInternal flights

Beds1 room × 10 nightsUS$1,600
Food and drink2 × 10 daysUS$1,800
Local transport2 × 10 daysUS$1,000
Sights and tours2 × 10 daysUS$800
Domestic flight (one way)2 × 1US$400

Trip total, 2 travellers

US$6,000

Per person per day: US$300

2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. Add rental car costs (US$60–150 a day with insurance and fuel), park fees, and the non-resident park surcharge where it applies.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 1/5 (5 means cash for most things)

Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
Prices are shown before sales tax, which is added at the till and varies by state and city.
Hotels often add resort or destination fees and parking charges on top of the room rate: read the total before booking.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Getting in

Before you go, entry rules and the first day

Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours

Before you go

Dated steps for your passport

What to sort, and by when, before a trip to United States. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.

My passportI fly on

Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.

Passport valid long enough
90 days before
Valid for the whole stay; ESTA travellers need an e-passport. Many nationals benefit from the six-month-club rule, but check yours.
Passport check
Travel insurance
30 days before
High medical cover (US$1 million+ recommended).
Insurance check
Vaccines and medicines
30 days before
Some vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
Health Medicine rules
Driving permit (only if you drive)(optional)
30 days before
Home licence plus an IDP if it is not in English; credit card in the driver's name.
Driving abroad
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks before
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
eSIM finder
Cards and cash
2 weeks before
Cards and phones almost everywhere (cash need 1/5). Tell your bank you are travelling, check foreign-fee-free cards and ATM limits, and carry a backup card kept apart.
Money & ATMs
Apply for the online travel authorization (90 days)
10 days before
Cost: US$40.27 (US$10.27 if refused). ESTA online or in the ESTA Mobile app at least 72 hours before travel; valid 2 years or until the passport expires. CBP proposed in December 2025 to make the app the only route and to require 5 years of social-media history and a selfie — check. Apply for the ESTA before you book; without approval the airline will not board you. Anyone who visited Cuba since 2021, or Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since 2011, or holds dual nationality with some of them, cannot use ESTA and needs a visa. Processing about 3 days; the date leaves a week's buffer. Apply only on the official site.
Entry rules ESTA (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) ↗
Pack a plug adapter (type A or B)
7 days before
Sockets here: type A, B. UK plugs need an adapter. Mains is 120 V against 230 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.
Packing list
Arrival card or e-arrival form
3 days before
No paper arrival card; the I-94 record is electronic for air arrivals. Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry kiosks can shorten lines for some travellers. Land arrivals get an I-94 at the port (US$30).

Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.

Arrive

JFK

John F. Kennedy International (New York)

AirTrain to subway or Long Island Rail Road into Manhattan

EWR

Newark Liberty International (New York area)

AirTrain to NJ Transit or Amtrak to Penn Station

LAX

Los Angeles International

The entry point for California; most visitors pick up a car here

SFO

San Francisco International

BART rail into downtown San Francisco

MIA

Miami International

Main gateway for Florida and Latin America connections

ORD

O'Hare International (Chicago)

Major hub for Midwest and cross-country connections

Entry: visas and borders

2026 rules — confirm on the official portal

Citizens of the Visa Waiver Program's 40-odd countries fly in with an ESTA (US$40.27 since 1 January 2026; adjusted for inflation each year) for stays up to 90 days; Canadians need neither ESTA nor visa; most other nationalities need a B1/B2 visitor visa and an in-person interview. From 1 January 2026 entry is fully or partly suspended for nationals of a list of 39 countries (check the current list). Everyone faces biometric checks and questioning at the first US airport, including preclearance in Canada, Ireland, the UAE and elsewhere.

My passport

Online authorisation90 days

Apply for the ESTA before you book; without approval the airline will not board you.

Cost: US$40.27 (US$10.27 if refused)
Form to fill: ESTA online or in the ESTA Mobile app at least 72 hours before travel; valid 2 years or until the passport expires. CBP proposed in December 2025 to make the app the only route and to require 5 years of social-media history and a selfie — check.
Arrival card: No paper arrival card; the I-94 record is electronic for air arrivals. Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry kiosks can shorten lines for some travellers. Land arrivals get an I-94 at the port (US$30).
Passport: Valid for the whole stay; ESTA travellers need an e-passport. Many nationals benefit from the six-month-club rule, but check yours.
Onward ticket: Officers can ask for a return or onward ticket, funds and your address in the US; ESTA travellers must hold a return or onward ticket, and trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean count toward the 90 days.

Anyone who visited Cuba since 2021, or Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since 2011, or holds dual nationality with some of them, cannot use ESTA and needs a visa.

ESTA (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) ↗

Who	Rule	Stay	Watch
Visa Waiver Program nationals (UK, most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, Chile and others)	ESTA	Up to 90 days	No extensions or change of status; the 90 days include side trips to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Canadians and Bermudians	Visa-free	Usually up to 6 months	Officers can still refuse entry; past criminal records matter.
Most of Latin America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, China, India, Turkey, Gulf states	B1/B2 visitor visa with interview	Set on arrival, usually up to 6 months	Waits vary from weeks to 12+ months by consulate — check; visa integrity fee (US$250) implementation — check.
Nationals of the 39 countries on the January 2026 proclamation list	Full or partial suspension	—	Check the current list; waivers are rare.

By land and river

Crossing	To / from	Mode	Visa there	Trap
Peace Arch / Douglas (Vancouver – Seattle)	Canada (British Columbia)	Car, Amtrak Cascades, bus	ESTA or visa; I-94 issued at the port (US$30)	Summer weekend waits of 1–2 hours; check CBP wait times.
Niagara Falls bridges / Buffalo	Canada (Ontario)	Car, bus, walk across the Rainbow Bridge	ESTA or visa	Walking across to the US side needs your passport and I-94 formalities.
Lacolle – Champlain (Montréal – New York)	Canada (Québec)	Car, Amtrak Adirondack	ESTA or visa	Train inspection adds about 1–2 hours.
San Ysidro / Otay Mesa (Tijuana – San Diego)	Mexico (Baja California)	Walk, car, bus; Cross Border Xpress bridge from Tijuana airport	ESTA or visa	One of the busiest crossings in the world; queues of hours by car.
El Paso – Ciudad Juárez, Laredo, Nogales	Mexico (northern states)	Walk, car, bus	ESTA or visa	Check your own government's advice on the Mexican side before crossing.
US preclearance (Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary, Dublin, Shannon, Abu Dhabi, Aruba, Bermuda, Bahamas)	Airports abroad	US immigration done before boarding	ESTA or visa	Arrive 3 hours early; you land as a domestic passenger.

Overstaying even one day voids your ESTA and can make you ineligible for future visa-free travel.
Secondary inspection, phone searches and refusals of entry happen; answer questions plainly and carry proof of return and accommodation.
Travellers with a criminal record, even minor or old, should check eligibility before applying.

Documents checklist

Tick as you go; saved in this browser

0/7 ready

Passportbefore bookingE-passport for ESTA; valid for the stay (six months recommended). Official site ↗
ESTA or B1/B2 visa72 h+ before flying (ESTA); months ahead (visa)ESTA only on the official site; visa interviews can take months — check waits. Official site ↗
Return or onward ticketat check-in and arrivalRequired for ESTA travellers.
Travel insurancebefore flyingHigh medical cover (US$1 million+ recommended).
Driving licence (+ IDP)if rentingHome licence plus an IDP if it is not in English; credit card in the driver's name.
Park reservationsmonths ahead for summerTimed entry or vehicle reservations at several parks; lodging inside parks sells out first. Official site ↗
Non-resident park passbefore your first parkAmerica the Beautiful non-resident pass (US$250) covers the US$100 surcharge for you and up to three adults — check.

First 24 hours

Tick these before you leave the airport

Do these on arrival.

Immigration: Have ESTA or visa, return ticket and address ready; answer plainly.
Questioning at the first port of entry decides your stay.
Data: Activate an eSIM or buy a prepaid SIM.
Maps, ride-hailing and park apps.
Getting in: Take the train from JFK, Newark, SFO, Chicago or Washington; rideshare elsewhere.
Taxis from the airport are expensive.
Payments: Set up tap-to-pay; keep US$20–40 in small bills for tips.
Tips for porters and housekeeping.
Reservations: Confirm park timed entries and car pickup.
Missed slots are not refunded.

Getting around

Modes, times and the clock

Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time

Get around

Door-to-door, 2026 estimate

Mode	New York → Los Angeles	Cost	Use it when	What breaks
Domestic flight	5–6 h coast to coast; 1–2 h between neighbouring regions	US$80–400 one way	The default for any leg over about 600 km (373 mi).The default for any leg over about 373 mi (600 km).	Basic economy often excludes a carry-on bag and seat choice; check what the fare includes. Arrive 90 minutes early for security.
Rental car	Road trips	US$45–110 a day plus insurance, fuel and fees	Essential for national parks, the Southwest, California coast, the South and most of the West.	One-way drop fees can reach hundreds of dollars; under-25 surcharge; liability cover in the base rate is low in many states — check.
Amtrak (Northeast Corridor)	New York – Washington about 3 h, New York – Boston about 3.5–4 h	US$30–250 depending on class and advance purchase	Faster than flying door to door between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington.	Prices climb close to departure; Acela costs much more than Northeast Regional for 20–30 minutes saved.
Amtrak long-distance	2–3 days coast to coast	Coach from about US$150; sleepers US$800+	The California Zephyr, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder as a scenic experience, not transport.	Delays of hours are common; one train a day on most routes. USA Rail Pass for multiple legs — check price.
Brightline	Miami – Orlando about 3.5 h	US$40–150	Fast private trains in Florida.	Stations are downtown or at Orlando airport, not at the theme parks.
Greyhound / FlixBus / Megabus	Intercity coaches everywhere	US$20–100	The cheapest link between cities without rail.	Some stations are kerbside stops in poorly lit areas; long routes can be late.
City transit	Subway, light rail, buses	US$2–3 a ride; contactless card or phone in New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, San Francisco and more	Good in New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and San Francisco; thin in Los Angeles, Houston and most Sun Belt cities.	Outside the big transit cities, plan on ride-hailing.
Uber / Lyft	Anywhere in cities and suburbs	US$15–60 for a city trip; airport runs US$40–90+	Default for evenings and car-free days.	Surge pricing at peak times; airport pickup zones are signposted.

Local time

What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.

New York
…
Checking your clock…America/New York

Practical

Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases

Open PracticalClose Practical14 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope · Who travels

Holidays in the next 90 days

What closes, sells out or costs more

On now
ThanksgivingBig impact
November · exact day moves, check
Busiest travel days of the year; many shops and restaurants close on the day. Black Friday shopping follows.
Nov 11
in 10 days
Veterans DayMinor
Nov 11
Federal offices and banks closed.
Dec 25
in 54 days
Christmas DayBig impact
Dec 25
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Jan 1
in 61 days
New Year's DaySome impact
Jan 1
Federal holiday; New Year's Eve crowds in Times Square and big cities.
Jan
date varies
Martin Luther King Jr. DayMinor
January · exact day moves, check
Federal offices and banks closed; museums open.

The full holiday list Holidays on your dates Festivals by month

Holidays and festivals

Operational effect, not a calendar

When	What	Impact	What it does to a trip
1 Jan	New Year's Day	medium	Federal holiday; New Year's Eve crowds in Times Square and big cities.
3rd Monday of January	Martin Luther King Jr. Day	low	Federal offices and banks closed; museums open.
3rd Monday of February	Presidents' Day	medium	Long weekend; ski resorts and Florida busy.
Feb or Mar (varies)	Mardi Gras (New Orleans)	high	New Orleans hotels triple in price and sell out.
March–April	Spring break	high	Students fill Florida, Texas and Mexico beaches; parks busy.
Last Monday of May	Memorial Day	high	Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
19 Jun	Juneteenth	low	Federal holiday; offices closed.
4 Jul	Independence Day	high	Fireworks and parades; parks, beaches and flights busy.
1st Monday of September	Labor Day	high	End of summer; last big road-trip weekend.
2nd Monday of October	Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day	low	Federal offices closed; name varies by state.
11 Nov	Veterans Day	low	Federal offices and banks closed.
4th Thursday of November	Thanksgiving	high	Busiest travel days of the year; many shops and restaurants close on the day. Black Friday shopping follows.
25 Dec	Christmas Day	high	Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.

Show all 13 datesShow fewer

Safety and health at a glance

Advice, risky areas, water, shots, numbers, scams

Emergency numbers

Where to take care

3/5 for a careful visitor · Most visits are trouble-free; road crashes, extreme heat, wildlife and pockets of urban crime are the risks.

medium California cities · Car break-ins in San Francisco; visible homelessness and drug use in parts of downtown San Francisco and Los Angeles.
medium Desert Southwest parks · Heat, flash floods and long empty roads — the main dangers.
medium Florida and the Gulf coast · Hurricanes Jun–Nov; rip currents.
medium Rockies and Alaska · Bears, cold, remote areas without phone signal.

Tap water

Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks. Tap water by country

Health

Main risks: Medical costs, Extreme heat and dehydration, Wildfire smoke, Lyme disease and ticks.

Top scams

1. Fake ESTA sites · Only esta.cbp.dhs.gov; lookalikes charge US$80–200 for the same form.
2. Timeshare and 'free show' pitches · Free tickets come with a 90-minute sales pitch; walk away.
3. Costumed characters and CD sellers · They expect cash for photos or 'free' CDs; say no and keep walking.

Safety Stay healthy Emergency card Scam spotter Health check

Safety

Emergency: 911 (police, fire, ambulance).
Driving is on the right; right turns on red are allowed in most states unless signed otherwise. Distances between fuel stations in the West can exceed 100 km (62 mi), so fill up before remote stretches.Driving is on the right; right turns on red are allowed in most states unless signed otherwise. Distances between fuel stations in the West can exceed 62 mi (100 km), so fill up before remote stretches.
Heat in desert parks (Death Valley, Grand Canyon inner canyon) kills hikers every year: start at dawn, carry more water than you think.
Wildlife in parks (bears, bison, elk) must be kept at a distance; follow food-storage rules at campsites.
Wildfire smoke and closures can change western plans in late summer and autumn: check park and state alerts daily.
Hurricanes (June–November) affect Florida and the Gulf and Atlantic coasts; follow local evacuation orders.

The US is the air hub of North America: Canada and Mexico are short flights, and Miami connects to most of Latin America.

What four governments say

Comparison not available yet for this country

Read each government's own advice: US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice.

Strikes and disruptions

Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.

No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days

That is not a promise that nothing is planned. This calendar lists only what a government or a public authority has published. Check US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice and the transport operator for your dates.

Safety by region

Risk to a careful visitor, not a crime index

Most visits are trouble-free. Risk is local and neighbourhood-level: ask your hotel which areas to avoid at night, and treat roads, heat and wildlife as bigger dangers than crime.

Region	Risk	What to watch
Northeast cities (New York, Boston, Washington)	low	Pickpockets on crowded transit; some neighbourhoods at night.
California cities	medium	Car break-ins in San Francisco; visible homelessness and drug use in parts of downtown San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Desert Southwest parks	medium	Heat, flash floods and long empty roads — the main dangers.
Florida and the Gulf coast	medium	Hurricanes Jun–Nov; rip currents.
Rockies and Alaska	medium	Bears, cold, remote areas without phone signal.
US–Mexico border area	medium	Mostly safe on the US side; check advice before crossing into Mexico.

Stay healthy

Risk	Where / when	Do this
Medical costs	Everywhere	An ambulance ride can cost US$1,000+, a night in hospital US$5,000+; buy insurance with at least US$1 million medical cover.
Extreme heat and dehydration	Desert Southwest, Death Valley, Grand Canyon inner canyon	Hike at dawn, carry 4+ litres, never try rim-to-river-and-back in a day in summer.
Wildfire smoke	West, June–November	Check AirNow; masks (N95) and flexible dates.
Lyme disease and ticks	Northeast and upper Midwest woods	Repellent, long trousers, tick checks after hikes.
Altitude	Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park (3,000 m+ roads)	Rest the first day, drink water, go down if headaches worsen.
Opioids and fentanyl	Street drugs anywhere	Never buy pills or powders on the street; they can contain fentanyl.
Pharmacies	CVS, Walgreens, supermarkets	Many common medicines are over the counter; prescription drugs need a US prescription.

Scams and overcharges

Trap	Where	Defence
Fake ESTA sites	Search ads	Only esta.cbp.dhs.gov; lookalikes charge US$80–200 for the same form.
Timeshare and 'free show' pitches	Las Vegas Strip, Orlando, Hawaii	Free tickets come with a 90-minute sales pitch; walk away.
Costumed characters and CD sellers	Times Square, Hollywood Boulevard	They expect cash for photos or 'free' CDs; say no and keep walking.
Unlicensed taxis at airports	Arrivals halls	Use the official taxi rank or the app pickup zone.
Hidden hotel fees	Las Vegas, resorts, big cities	Resort or destination fees of US$25–50 a night; compare the total including tax.
Parking and car break-ins	San Francisco, trailheads, tourist lots	Leave nothing visible in the car, not even a bag; take valuables with you.
Card skimmers	Gas-station pumps	Pay inside or use tap-to-pay; check the card slot.

Emergency card

Numbers, disasters, who to call

United States emergency numbers — screenshot this card

911

Police, fire, ambulance

Free from any phone; text-to-911 in many areas

1-800-222-1222

Poison control

24 h

988

Mental health crisis

Call or text

311

City services (non-emergency)

In many cities

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Hazard	When / where	Do this
Hurricanes	Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct (Florida, Gulf, Atlantic coast)	Follow evacuation orders; buy refundable fares.
Tornadoes	Spring on the Plains and in the South	Go to an interior room or basement when sirens sound.
Wildfires	Jun–Nov in the West	Check InciWeb and local alerts; road closures change daily.
Earthquakes	California, Alaska, Pacific Northwest	Drop, cover, hold on.
Flash floods	Jul–Sep monsoon in the Southwest	Never enter slot canyons when rain is forecast.
Winter storms	Nov–Mar north and mountains	Carry blankets and water in the car; check road status.

Alerts and apps

FEMA app for alerts.
NPS App for park conditions.

Police, embassies, paperwork

Hospitals must treat emergencies regardless of ability to pay, but will bill you; keep insurer contacts handy.
Lost passport: police report, then your embassy or consulate.

Insurer and 24-hour linePolicy numberWhere I'm staying

Kept only in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Emergency card · United States

My passport: — · find my embassy
Insurance: —
Staying at: —

Hospitals with emergency care

NYU Langone Tisch Hospital · First Avenue at East 34th Street, New York
Bellevue Hospital · First Avenue at East 27th Street, New York

Emergency numbers, every country

Practical

Plugs, water, tips, hours

AtypeBtype

120 V · 60 Hz

Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.

Tap water: Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
Toilets: Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
Weekly closing days: Federal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open. Some museums close on Mondays. Government shutdowns can close park facilities — check.

Tipping by situation

Situation	What locals do
Sit-down restaurant	18–22% of the pre-tax bill.
Bar	US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.
Taxi / ride-hailing	15–20%, in the app.
Hotel housekeeping	US$3–5 a night.
Porter / valet	US$2–5 per bag or car.
Tour guide	US$10–20 per person for a day tour.
Counter service / tablet prompts	Optional; 0–15%.

Opening hours

What	Typical hours	Watch
Shops	10:00–20:00 or 21:00; malls later10:00 AM–8:00 PM or 9:00 PM; malls later	Many shops open Sundays.
Supermarkets and pharmacies	Often 07:00–22:00, some 24 hOften 7:00 AM–10:00 PM, some 24 h	Alcohol hours vary by state.
Restaurants	Dinner 17:00–22:00Dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM	Kitchens close early outside big cities.
Banks	Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM	Closed on federal holidays.
National park visitor centres	About 08:00–17:00, longer in summerAbout 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, longer in summer	Roads are open 24 h in most parks; timed entry applies only at set hours.

Connect

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
Coverage disappears in many national parks, canyons and desert highways: download offline maps.

Uber or Lyft (ride-hailing)Google MapsNPS App (national parks)Recreation.gov (park reservations)

Numbers: Country code +1; ten-digit numbers (area code + 7 digits).
Wi-Fi: Free in cafés, hotels, libraries; public networks are often unencrypted.
Payments: Tap-to-pay everywhere; cards with a US ZIP code can be required at gas pumps — pay inside.

Talk

English everywhere, with strong regional accents; Spanish is the second language in the Southwest, Texas, Florida, California and New York. Some words differ from British English: restroom (toilet), check (bill), gas (petrol), trunk (boot), first floor (ground floor).

Where	Lingua franca	English	Note
Nationwide	English	Native	Dates are written month/day/year: 7/4 means 4 July.
Southwest, Texas, Florida, big cities	English and Spanish	Universal	Signs and menus are often bilingual.
Hawaii	English, Hawaiian place names	Universal	Learn to pronounce place names; 'mahalo' is thank you.

Measurements are imperial: miles, Fahrenheit, gallons, pounds. 100 km (62 mi) ≈ 62 miles; 30 °C (86 °F) ≈ 86 °F.Measurements are imperial: miles, Fahrenheit, gallons, pounds. 62 mi (100 km) ≈ 62 miles; 86 °F (30 °C) ≈ 86 °F.
Small talk with strangers is normal and friendly; it is not a sales tactic.

Survival phrases

7 phrases · tap one to show it full screen

Translate a sign or menu Diet and allergy card

Cope

Embassies, laundry, lockers, media, lost things

Embassies: In Washington, DC; consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and more.
Laundry: Laundromats US$3–6 a load; hotels charge much more.
Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens and Walmart; urgent-care clinics for non-emergencies (US$150–300 visit).
Sales tax: No state sales tax in Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware and Alaska (local taxes may apply); combined rates reach 9–10%+ in cities like Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Travellers with specific needs

Short and factual

Traveller	On the ground	Do this
Solo women	Common and generally easy; normal big-city awareness at night.	Use ride-hailing late at night; share trip status.
LGBTQ+	Same-sex marriage legal nationwide; big scenes in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago; rural and some Southern areas more conservative. Some states restricted transgender rights in 2023–26.	Check state laws if you are transgender; passports with an X marker — check current federal rules at entry.
Families	Very easy: theme parks, national parks with Junior Ranger programmes, kids' menus.	Book car seats with the rental; distances are long for children.
Wheelchair users	The Americans with Disabilities Act makes most public buildings, transit and hotels accessible.	The Access Pass is for US residents only; ask parks for accessible trails and shuttles.
Older travellers	Easy with a car; senior discounts common.	Travel insurance at older ages is costly but essential.

Culture and food

Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy

Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy

Country rules

Inherited by every page below

Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Etiquette

Tip for service: it is part of how staff are paid, not optional extra.
Queue in line and wait to be seated in restaurants unless a sign says otherwise.
Smoking and vaping are banned in most indoor public places; cannabis laws differ by state and it stays illegal on federal land, including national parks.

Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November): Busiest domestic travel days of the year; many shops and restaurants close on the day.
July 4th (Independence Day): Fireworks crowds; beach towns and parks full.
Summer (June–August): Peak national-park season with timed-entry systems and full lodging; extreme heat in the Southwest.
Hurricane season (June–November): Storms can close Florida and Gulf Coast airports and roads for days.

Respect and laws that surprise

What gets visitors fined, refused or arrested

Topic	The rule	What happens
Tipping	18–22% at sit-down restaurants and bars, even if the service was average; check for an included service charge first.	Not tipping is read as a complaint.
Guns and violence	Guns are legal and common in many states; mass shootings are rare for any one visitor but more frequent than in peer countries. Know the 'run, hide, fight' advice and leave any tense scene. Never bring a firearm or ammunition in your luggage without permits.	Arrest for unlawful possession; ammunition found at airport security leads to fines.
Police	At a traffic stop, stay in the car, keep hands on the wheel, and follow instructions; do not reach for documents until asked.	Sudden movements escalate stops.
Cannabis	Legal for adults in about half the states but illegal federally, including in national parks, airports and across state lines.	Arrest on federal land; entry refusal if you admit use at the border.
Drinking age	21 everywhere; ID checked in bars and shops. Open containers in cars and most streets are illegal.	Fines; drink-driving arrests.
Jaywalking and driving	Stop for school buses with flashing red lights in both directions; speed limits are enforced by cameras and police.	Heavy fines.
Wildlife	Keep 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, 25 yards from bison and elk in Yellowstone; never feed animals.	Fines and serious injury every year.
Native lands and sites	Tribal nations (for example the Navajo Nation) set their own rules: permits, photography limits, alcohol bans.	Fines; offence.

Everyday manners

Situation	Do	Avoid
Greeting	Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'	Treating the question as a real health enquiry
Restaurants	Tip 18–22% and wait for the check	Leaving without tipping
Personal space	Keep an arm's length in queues	Standing close to strangers
Politics and religion	Listen more than you speak	Opening with hot-button topics
Smoking	Smoke only in marked areas	Smoking near doors or in parks where banned

Eat

Regional food, diets, allergy card

US food is regional and immigrant-built: barbecue in Texas and the Carolinas, seafood in New England and the Gulf, Tex-Mex and Mexican in the Southwest, Creole and Cajun in Louisiana, and every world cuisine in the big cities. Portions are large; sharing is fine.

Region	Style	Order this
Northeast	Seafood, delis, pizza, bagels	Lobster roll, clam chowder, New York pizza, pastrami
South	Barbecue, fried chicken, biscuits, grits	Brisket, pulled pork, shrimp and grits
Louisiana	Creole and Cajun	Gumbo, jambalaya, po'boy, beignets
Southwest and California	Mexican and Tex-Mex, fresh produce	Burritos, fish tacos, green chile

Dish finder

Region

Diet

14 of 14 dishes

New York-style pizzaNew York
Pizza slice
Thin, wide slices folded in half.
Any time · Usually has milk · vegetarian version common
Bagel with loxNew York
Bagel and lox
Boiled-then-baked bagel with cream cheese and cured salmon.
Breakfast · Usually has fish/seafood, milk, egg
Pastrami on ryeNew York delis
Pastrami sandwich
Hot smoked beef piled on rye bread with mustard.
Lunch · Usually has beef
Lobster rollNew England
Lobster roll
Lobster meat in a buttered bun, cold with mayo or warm with butter.
Summer lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, milk, egg
New England clam chowderBoston and coast
Clam chowder
Creamy soup of clams, potatoes and often salt pork.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, milk, pork
Texas brisketTexas
Brisket
Beef smoked for 12+ hours, sold by weight.
Lunch — sells out · Usually has beef
Pulled porkCarolinas, Tennessee
Pulled pork barbecue
Slow-smoked pork shoulder with vinegar or tomato sauce.
Lunch · Usually has pork
GumboLouisiana
Gumbo
Dark roux stew with sausage, chicken or seafood over rice.
Lunch or dinner · Usually has pork, chicken, fish/seafood
Southern fried chickenThe South
Fried chicken
Buttermilk-marinated fried chicken, often with biscuits.
Any meal · Usually has chicken, milk, egg
CheeseburgerNationwide
Cheeseburger
Beef patty with cheese in a bun; regional chains are part of the draw.
Any time · Usually has beef, milk · vegetarian version exists — ask
Burrito (Mission-style)California, Southwest
Burrito
Large flour tortilla with rice, beans, meat and salsa.
Lunch · Usually has beef, chicken, pork, milk · vegetarian version exists — ask
Chicago deep-dish pizzaChicago
Deep dish
Thick pie crust filled with cheese and tomato sauce; 45 minutes to bake.
Dinner · Usually has milk, pork · vegetarian version exists — ask
BeignetsNew Orleans
Beignets
Fried dough squares under powdered sugar, with café au lait.
Breakfast · Usually has egg, milk · vegetarian version common
PokeHawaii
Poke
Raw cubed tuna marinated in soy and sesame, over rice.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood

Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.

Table manners

Wait to be seated unless a sign says to seat yourself; your server handles your table all meal.
Ask for the check; it will not come until you do. Tip on the pre-tax total.
Taking leftovers home in a box is normal.

Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it

I have a severe allergy to ___. Does this dish contain ___, or is it cooked with it?

“Show to your server in English; ask them to check with the kitchen.”

Peanuts: peanuts / peanut oil
Tree nuts: tree nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Shellfish: shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster)
Fish: fish
Milk: dairy (milk, butter, cheese)
Egg: eggs
Wheat / gluten: wheat / gluten
Soy: soy
Sesame: sesame
Pork: pork / bacon / lard

Diets: the reality

Diet	On the ground	Do this
Vegetarian / vegan	Easy in cities; harder in rural diners and barbecue country.	Chains label vegetarian options; ask whether beans or soups use meat stock.
Halal / kosher	Widely available in big cities (Dearborn, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles).	Apps like Zabihah help.
Gluten-free	Well understood; many menus mark GF.	Mention celiac disease for cross-contact care.
Allergies	Staff are trained to ask; peanut oil and nuts are common in the South and in baked goods.	Tell the server before ordering; carry your auto-injector.

Drink

Laws, what to order, what it costs

Legal age: 21 in every state; ID checked, often for anyone who looks under 40.
Open containers: Illegal in cars and most streets (New Orleans French Quarter and Las Vegas Strip are exceptions with rules).
Sales: Liquor sales hours and places differ by state; some counties are dry.
Drink-driving: 0.08% blood alcohol limit (0.05% in Utah); strict penalties.

Drink	What it is	Typical price
Craft beerIPA, lager, stout	Thousands of breweries; taprooms in every city.	US$7–10 a pint
BourbonKentucky bourbon	Corn-based whiskey aged in new oak.	US$10–18 a glass
California wineNapa, Sonoma	Tasting rooms north of San Francisco.	Tastings US$40–100
Iced teaSweet tea	Very sweet in the South; ask for unsweetened.	US$3–4, often free refills
CoffeeDrip coffee	Refills often free in diners.	US$3–6

Tap water is served free with meals.

Sleep

Types, registration, booking

Type	Price (2026 estimate)	Use it for	Watch
Hostel dorm	US$40–90	Big cities and some parks	Few outside cities.
Motel / roadside chain	US$80–160	Road trips	Park at the door; check reviews for cleanliness.
Mid-range hotel	US$150–350	Cities	Taxes (12–18%) and resort or parking fees on top.
National park lodge	US$200–500	Inside parks	Opens bookings about 13 months ahead; sells out fast.
Campground	US$20–60 a site	Parks and forests	Book on recreation.gov up to 6 months ahead.

Registration and the law

Hotels need a credit card for a deposit; many require guests to be 21+.
Check-in is often 15:00–16:00, check-out 11:00.Check-in is often 3:00 PM–4:00 PM, check-out 11:00 AM.

Booking reality

Book park lodging and campgrounds the day they open; book cities 1–3 months ahead.

Buy

Tax-free, bargaining, customs

Outlet malls, big-box stores and prices listed before tax; no VAT refund for visitors (Louisiana's refund programme ended — check).

Prices and bargaining

Not done in shops; negotiate only at flea markets and for cars.

What to bring home

Item	Where	Watch
Outdoor gear and sneakers	REI, outlets	Often cheaper than abroad.
Native American crafts	Southwest, from tribal and certified sellers	Look for artist names and tribal certification.
Maple syrup, hot sauce, bourbon	Vermont, Louisiana, Kentucky	Check your home country's import limits.

Customs allowances on arrival

What	Limit or rule
Cash	Declare over US$10,000
Food	Declare all food; fresh fruit, meat and plants are usually refused

Deep dive

Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources

Go next

US Northeast

New York base

Region page with rail links.

Canada

Short flights; Amtrak to Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver; land borders

Canadians and US citizens cross easily; others need an eTA or visa.

Mexico

Flights to Mexico City and Cancún; land crossings at San Diego and El Paso

Check advice for the border cities.

Puerto Rico

Domestic flights from New York and Florida

US territory: no extra passport control for US citizens; foreign visitors use the same ESTA/visa.

Bahamas

Flights or ferries from Florida

US preclearance on the way back.

Bermuda

About 2 h by air from the East Coast

US preclearance at Bermuda airport.

North America

Subregion

Combine the US with Canada or Mexico.

Sources compared: Wikivoyage — United States of America · Wikitravel — United States of America. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.

Deep dive

5 min read · 6 chapters

This deep dive is for the traveller who wants to understand why the United States feels the way it does on the ground: huge distances, fifty sets of state rules, a car culture, national parks run as a public idea, and food built by successive waves of migrants. It runs from the first peoples to the entry rules of 2026.

1First peoples, colonies and independence1 min

People reached the Americas at least 15,000 years ago, and by 1500 hundreds of nations lived across what is now the US: farming towns such as Cahokia near today's St Louis, the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest, and the confederacies of the Northeast. Disease, war and forced removal after European contact cut their numbers drastically.

Spain settled Florida (St Augustine, 1565) and New Mexico long before the English arrived at Jamestown in 1607 and Plymouth in 1620. France held the Mississippi valley and the Dutch founded New Amsterdam, which became New York in 1664. The thirteen British colonies along the Atlantic grew on farming, trade and, in the South, enslaved African labour.

Disputes over taxes and self-government led to the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776 and a war won with French help in 1783. The Constitution of 1787 created a federal system that still explains why visitors meet different laws in each state: sales tax, alcohol rules, speed limits and cannabis all change at state lines.

Oldest European town: St Augustine, Florida, 1565
Declaration of Independence: 4 July 1776, Philadelphia
Constitution: Signed 1787, in force 1789
250th anniversary: 4 July 2026

See itIndependence Hall, PhiladelphiaMesa Verde National Park, ColoradoCahokia Mounds, Illinois

2Westward expansion, slavery and the Civil War1 min

The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the country, and war with Mexico (1846–48) added California and the Southwest. Settlers moved west along the Oregon and Santa Fe trails, while the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced nations such as the Cherokee from the Southeast on the Trail of Tears. Reservations were imposed across the West.

Slavery split the country. Eleven Southern states seceded, and the Civil War of 1861–65 killed around 700,000 people. Union victory ended slavery with the 13th Amendment; Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the news reached enslaved people in Texas.

The century after brought Jim Crow segregation laws in the South, which the civil rights movement of the 1950s–60s overturned in court, on the streets and in Congress. Sites in Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, Memphis and Atlanta tell the story.

Louisiana Purchase: 1803, about 2.1 million km²
Civil War: 1861–1865
Civil Rights Act: 1964

See itGettysburg National Military Park, PennsylvaniaNational Museum of African American History and Culture, WashingtonNational Civil Rights Museum, Memphis

3People: a nation of migrants1 min

About 340 million people live in the US, and most descend from people who arrived in the last four centuries: enslaved Africans, Irish and German migrants in the 19th century, Italians, Jews and Poles through Ellis Island around 1900, and since 1965 large numbers from Mexico, Latin America and Asia. About one in seven residents was born abroad.

Regional identity is strong. New Englanders, Texans, Californians and Southerners have distinct accents, food and politics; big cities lean liberal and rural areas conservative. Religion matters more than in most rich countries, especially in the South.

Everyday culture rewards friendliness with strangers: small talk at a counter, a server who introduces themselves by name, 'have a nice day'. It is sincere social lubricant, not intimacy. Tipping, also puzzling to visitors, exists because many service workers earn a low base wage.

Population: About 340 million (2025)
Foreign-born residents: About 14–15%
Largest metro area: New York, about 20 million

See itEllis Island and the Statue of Liberty →Grand Central Terminal, New York →Washington Square Park, New York →

4Food: barbecue, chowder and every cuisine on earth1 min

US food is mostly regional and immigrant cooking that became American. Barbecue splits into schools: Texas beef brisket, Carolina pork with vinegar sauce, Memphis ribs and Kansas City burnt ends. New England has chowder and lobster rolls; Louisiana has Creole and Cajun gumbo and jambalaya, built on French, Spanish, African and Caribbean roots.

Pizza and bagels came with Italian and Jewish migrants to New York; the burrito and taco came north with Mexican cooks and changed shape in California and Texas. Chinese-American, Korean, Vietnamese and Ethiopian restaurants anchor whole neighbourhoods.

Portions are large, drinks are refilled, and diners serve breakfast all day. Farmers markets and a strong restaurant scene in cities contrast with fast-food chains on every highway exit; on road trips, look for local diners and barbecue joints rather than the first chain you see.

Barbecue styles: Texas, Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City
Tip at restaurants: 18–22%

See itDelis and pizza in New York →French Quarter, New Orleans

5Landscape and the national parks1 min

The US spans deserts, rainforest, glaciers, prairie and tropical islands. The Rockies and the Sierra Nevada wall off the West; the Colorado Plateau's canyons hold the densest cluster of parks; the Great Plains were once bison grassland; the Appalachians run down the East.

Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872, and the National Park Service (1916) now runs 63 national parks and over 400 sites. Popularity brought crowding: several parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in summer, and lodging inside parks books out a year ahead.

From 1 January 2026, non-residents pay a US$100 per-person surcharge on top of entry at 11 of the busiest parks, and the non-resident annual pass costs US$250 (check the current list and price on nps.gov). Planning around which parks charge, and buying the pass early, now matters for a road-trip budget.

National parks: 63
First national park: Yellowstone, 1872
Non-resident surcharge: US$100 at 11 parks from 2026 — check
Non-resident annual pass: US$250 — check

See itGrand Canyon South Rim, ArizonaYosemite Valley, CaliforniaCentral Park, New York →

6Road trips, rules and the US in 20261 min

The Interstate Highway System, built from 1956, made the road trip the country's defining way to travel. Distances are real: New York to Los Angeles is about 4,500 km. Fly between regions and drive within one; gas stations can be 100 km apart in the desert West.

Entry is the first hurdle. ESTA costs US$40 (check), visa interview waits can exceed a year at some consulates, and a proclamation from January 2026 suspends or limits entry for nationals of 39 countries. Proposed social-media questions for ESTA and a US$250 visa integrity fee were being implemented in 2026 — check before you apply.

Costs are high: add sales tax and tips to every price, hotel resort fees and parking, and buy insurance, since an emergency-room visit can cost thousands. Guns are common in many states; mass shootings are rare for any one visitor but more frequent than in peer countries. The practical risks for most travellers remain road crashes, heat and wildlife.

Interstate system: About 78,000 km (48,467 mi), begun 1956About 48,467 mi (78,000 km), begun 1956
ESTA: US$40, valid 2 years — check
Emergency: 911

See it9/11 Memorial, New York →Route 66 in Arizona and New Mexico

Read, watch, wordsReading · Watching · Glossary · Sources4 parts

Reading

Travels with Charley — John SteinbeckA road trip around the country in 1960.
The Lost Continent — Bill BrysonSmall-town America by car, with humour.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee — Dee BrownThe West from the Native American side.
The Warmth of Other Suns — Isabel WilkersonThe Great Migration of Black Americans northward.

Watching

The National Parks: America's Best Idea — Ken Burns, 2009How the park system came to be.
Nomadland — Chloé Zhao, 2020The American West and road life.

Glossary

Term	Local	Meaning
ESTA		Electronic System for Travel Authorization for Visa Waiver Program travellers.
I-94		Arrival/departure record showing your permitted stay.
NPS		National Park Service.
Interstate		Federal motorway, numbered I-5, I-95 and so on.
check		The bill at a restaurant.
restroom		Public toilet.
sales tax		State and local tax added at the till.
gas		Petrol.
timed entry		A reservation slot to enter a busy national park.

Read for this deep dive

Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.

Sources

officialESTA application (US Customs and Border Protection, official)
officialNational Park Service
officialUK FCDO travel advice: USA
secondaryWikivoyage — United States of America
officialUS Department of State — visa appointment wait times
officialUS Department of State — Visa Waiver Program
officialNPS — Entrance passes and nonresident fees
officialRecreation.gov (park reservations)
officialAmtrak

Open Americas Up to North America

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