Driving in the USA and Canada
There are inspection stations on many of the roads north of the Mexican border in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, intended to detect illegal immigrants.
On major Interstates many states have tourist information centres just after you enter, which are well worth visiting.
You also often see weigh stations near state lines that are purely for trucks and very often closed.
You must stop and show your passport when crossing between the USA and Canada. Visitors from outside these two countries usually need to park their car and visit an office in order to have their passports stamped.
None of the rental car companies allow their cars to be taken into Mexico. US and Canadian citizens who wish to drive their own cars into Mexico have to make special arrangements with insurance brokers in the southwest of the USA; this is the basic reason why rental agencies do not allow their cars to be taken into Mexico.
In the main you can drive freely in Indian reservations, although some scenic back roads in reservations may occasionally be subject to tolls.
Places & useful connections
Before you set out
Confirm current access, opening arrangements, reservations and the suitability of your planned roads and walks. Photographs may show earlier conditions.