Hate to burst your bubble, but sadly, there’s no direct road connecting the United Kingdom to the United States. You can’t simply hop in your car and drive across the vast Atlantic Ocean (unless you’ve got some James Bond-level amphibious vehicle!). The two landmasses are separated by thousands of miles of open waters.
However, that doesn’t mean your transatlantic road trip dreams have to stay firmly parked in the realm of fantasy. With some creative planning and a spirit of adventure, you can definitely make it happen!
Option 1 – Ship Your Car Across the Atlantic
One possibility is to ship your car from the UK to the US via a professional vehicle transport service. These companies specialize in carefully loading up and transporting automobiles overseas on massive cargo ships.
Once your trusty set of wheels arrives stateside at ports like New York, Baltimore, or Los Angeles, you’re free to hop in and continue your epic road trip adventure across the great American landscape!
The best part? Many shipping companies will even let you load your car onto the vessel yourself if you want to add an extra dash of excitement to the journey.
Making It Happen
To get the ball rolling, you’ll need to research reputable car shipping companies that operate transatlantic routes. Get quotes from multiple providers and be sure to read reviews from past customers.
You’ll also want to do your homework on things like customs regulations, import duties, and any special documentation needed for both the country of origin and destination. Having all your ducks in a row makes for a smoother process.
Once you’ve picked a shipper and prepared all the paperwork, it’s simply a matter of readying your vehicle according to the company’s specifications and dropping it off at the designated port for loading.
Then, it’s off to the airport for you to catch a flight and meet your four-wheeled travel companion on the other side of the pond!
Pros and Cons
The biggest advantage of shipping your car is convenience – no complex border crossings or paperwork for multiple countries. Just load it up and let the pros handle transport across the Atlantic.
However, it can get pricey, often costing $1,000-$3,000 or more depending on factors like vehicle size and sailing route. There’s also the matter of being separated from your car for several weeks while it’s in transit. Not ideal for the impatient road trippers among us!
Option 2 – The Long Way ‘Round
If you’ve got plenty of time and an adventurous spirit, you could always take the scenic route and drive from the UK, across Europe, through Russia, and eventually ship your car over the Bering Strait to arrive in Alaska before continuing on through Canada and the United States.
Talk about an epic road trip for the record books! You’d get to experience the diverse landscapes and cultures of countless countries while collecting enough stories and memories to last a lifetime.
Mapping Your Northerly Route
Generally speaking, you’d want to take a northerly route through Europe, passing through destinations like:
– France
– Belgium
– Netherlands
– Germany
– Poland
– Belarus
– Russia
From there, you’d continue across the vast Russian wilderness, through Siberia, and make your way to the easternmost city of Vladivostok on the Pacific coast.
This is where things get a bit complicated logistically. You’d need to arrange transport across the Bering Strait, either via ferry or perhaps even one of the occasional vehicle freight ships that traverse this path.
Once you make landfall in Alaska, it’s a relatively straightforward (but still incredibly lengthy) journey through Canada and eventually down into the continental United States.
Pros and Cons of the Northerly Overland Route
The biggest upside is the chance to experience the quintessential road trip through so many diverse regions of the world. Just imagine all the cultural experiences, landscapes, and hidden gems you’d encounter along the way.
However, the downsides are numerous. First, there’s a mountain of paperwork, permits, and other legal hurdles to clear for international border crossings with a vehicle.
You’d also need to meticulously plan your route, accommodations, supplies, and maintenance for your car well in advance. Not to mention factor in long stretches of desolate roadways across places like Siberia where resources are limited.
Then there’s the cost. Even beyond shipping expenses, you’re looking at exorbitant fuel costs, camping/lodging fees, and other travel expenses drawn out over many months or potentially years on the road.
In other words, pursuing the northerly overland route from the UK to the US requires a driving passion for adventure, incredibly deep pockets, and an enormous reserve of patience!
Explore Amazing Destinations Along the Way
Whichever path to America you choose—shipping your car or the epic overland odyssey—there’s no shortage of incredible sights and experiences awaiting you on both sides of the Atlantic.
A few can’t-miss stops to put on your transatlantic road trip itinerary:
In the UK:
– London – Iconic landmarks like Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey
– Scottish Highlands – Explore the stunning lochs, glens, and misty mountainscapes
– Cotswolds – Wander the charming thatched-roof villages of this idyllic rural region
Europe:
– Paris, France – The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and delectable cuisine
– Tuscany, Italy – Meander through vineyards, medieval hilltop towns, and the rolling countryside
– Swiss Alps – From Zurich to Geneva, thrilling drives amid soaring alpine peaks
– Berlin, Germany – Incredible historical sites like the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate
United States:
– New York City – Soak in the unparalleled energy, cuisine, culture and attractions like Central Park
– Las Vegas – Neon-soaked adventure on the Strip with world-class entertainment
– San Francisco – Iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf
– Route 66 – Follow the legendary “Mother Road” through retro Americana roadside attractions
No matter which destinations make your cut, half the fun is leaving room for unplanned detours to discover those quirky hidden gems along the way.
The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist
With all that time logged behind the wheel, you’re going to need a banger of a road trip playlist to keep your energy up and the good vibes flowing.
Here’s a starter pack of driving anthems to get you started:
– “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
– “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty
– “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
– “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
– “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
– “Little Red Corvette” by Prince
– “Radar Love” by Golden Earring
– “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
– “Shipping’ Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
Of course, don’t forget to interweave some local flavor from the regions you’re passing through. Crank up the Italian opera music as you cruise through Tuscany or throw on some Russian folk punk while crossing Siberia. It’s all about embracing the spirit of each destination!
In Conclusion – The Journey is the Destination
As you’ve probably gathered by now, driving from the UK to the US is no easy logistical feat, thanks to that pesky Atlantic Ocean sitting between the two landmasses. Still, where there’s a will (and a valid passport), there’s definitely a way for the determined road warrior.
Whether you go the shipping route, embark on an incredible overland expedition, or find some other creative workaround, the experience of planning and executing an audacious transatlantic road trip will be one for the memory books.
At the end of the day, it’s about much more than just getting from Point A to Point B. The true reward lies in the journey itself – the adventures, the mishaps, the hidden gems, and all the little moments in between that you’ll never forget.
So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and manifest those wildest road trip dreams into reality. With careful planning, an open mind, and a spirit of adventure, the open road has no limits!
Who knows? By the time you finally roll across that final border, maybe some ambitious construction crews will have that long-theorized transatlantic highway or underground tunnel finally completed. Imagine being able to just set your GPS and cruise non-stop from London to Los Angeles!
But let’s be real, half the fun is figuring out those logistical hurdles and creative workarounds to connect point A to point B. Did someone say, “Personal hovercraft capable of traversing the Atlantic?” Now we’re talking!
At the end of your epically long road, I hope you walk away (or drag yourself home) with a professor-level education in geography, culture, mechanics, and the limitless possibilities of human determination. Not to mention one heck of an Instagram feed and enough unique souvenir shot glasses to open your own collection museum.
Most importantly, I hope your transatlantic odyssey leaves you with a lifetime’s worth of wild stories, wacky memories, and an unshakeable sense of wanderlust to keep chasing down the next road trip adventure. Maybe the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina is next on your list?
Wherever your vehicle’s tires may roam, just don’t forget to send me a postcard from the road. Or better yet, a personalized vehicle air freshener lovingly hand-carved from the pine trees of Siberia. Trust me, that baby’s going straight to my auto museum!
Now what are you waiting for? That twin-continents-spanning road trip isn’t going to drive itself! Get out there and start plotting your route, packing those road snacks, and queueing up that epic playlist. The open road is calling!