Five Things to Prepare Before Your U.S. Adventure

Half the fun is in the planning — and the rest begins when your wheels hit the road.

Planning a trip to the U.S. is almost half the fun, isn’t it? I still remember the feeling before my very first one — butterflies in my stomach, a hundred questions swirling in my head, and a travel list that just kept growing.Whether you’ve already booked your flight or you’re still dreaming with a Pinterest board full of “someday” destinations, there are a few things worth sorting out before takeoff.These are my tried-and-true tips — small things that make a big difference once you finally set foot in the States.

1. ESTA – Your Entry Ticket to the U.S.

A few weeks before departure, make sure to take care of one very important thing: your ESTA.It’s the little digital travel authorization that allows you to enter the U.S. hassle-free under the Visa Waiver Program.

You apply online through the official website (or the official app). It only takes a few minutes — just have your passport and a credit card ready. The fee is around $40 per person, and it’s valid for two years or until you get a new passport.

A quick warning: there are plenty of fake sites that try to charge extra to “help” you with the application. Don’t fall for it — you can easily do it yourself.

Once approved, you’ll get a confirmation email, and that’s when the fun really begins. The U.S. is waiting — this is your first step toward it

2. Your Phone Plan – Stay Connected Without the Shock

Make sure your mobile plan works in the U.S. without extra charges — it’ll save you a lot of frustration.I use a plan that gives me plenty of free data abroad, which is a lifesaver since we spend hours on the road.Music, maps, and all those “just one quick Google” moments — you’ll want plenty of data to keep everything running smoothly.

3. Travel Insurance – Not Glamorous, But Worth Gold

It’s not the most exciting part of trip planning, but trust me — you’ll be glad you checked it before you go.The good news? If you’re from Sweden (like me), your home insurance already includes solid travel coverage.Don’t get tricked into buying extra plans from travel agencies.

If you get sick before or during your trip (knock on wood), your home insurance should cover it. Save the number for SOS International in your phone — they’ll help you find the right hospital and guide you through what to do if something unexpected happens.They’re worth their weight in gold when things get confusing far from home.

4. Renting a Car – Freedom on Four Wheels

For me, the real American adventure starts the moment I turn the key in a rental car.There’s something magical about hitting the open road in a country where cars are practically sacred — and every exit could lead to a new story.

I usually book through SAS (to collect points), but there are plenty of good comparison sites.Rentalcars.com is another favorite — they often have great prices.

When picking up your car, you’ll need your passport, driver’s license, and a credit card.Make sure your card has enough available credit — the company will put a hold for a few hundred dollars as a deposit.

And yes, they’ll almost certainly try to upsell you to a bigger car 😉 — and honestly, we sometimes say yes. There’s just something about cruising through the States in a spacious SUV that feels right.

Gas prices are roughly a third of what we pay in Sweden, so go ahead — fill up the tank and just drive.

In the U.S., the road isn’t just pavement — it’s promise. The scent of adventure, the freedom of movement, and that feeling that anything is possible.

5. Pack Smart – and Leave Room for Shopping!

One hard-earned lesson: you never come home from the U.S. with a lighter bag than you left with. 😉These days, I always pack light — because I know I’ll be bringing back at least twice as much.

Just bring the essentials; most hotels have laundry rooms, and anything you forget can easily be bought there.Pro tip: pack a foldable extra duffel bag in your suitcase. It’ll be your best friend when it’s time to fly home with all those new finds.

Shopping in the U.S. is hard to resist — outlets, jeans, sneakers, and all those little “must-have” things you never knew you needed. (I even wrote a separate post about shopping — stay tuned!)

Sometimes we travel with carry-on only, but by the end of the trip… well, let’s just say we’ve had to make an emergency stop at Walmart for an extra suitcase more than once. At this point, our garage looks like a luggage showroom — pretty sure we’ll never need to buy another suitcase again. 😅