📋 Here are the key information covered in this article!
- The process from booking to returning a US rental car in 2025
- San Francisco Airport → Seattle 1,300km route
- Actual cost incurred ($825.21 rent + $120.9 gas)
- Medford mid-night accommodations, including breakfast and accommodation tips ($90 per night)
- How to Use and Be Careful at Gas Stations in the U.S.
It will be much easier to understand if you watch the video before reading this article.
🎥 Watch a video of a rental car trip through the western United States.
🛫 Step 1: Your journey begins at the San Francisco International Airport rental car center.
Rental car reservation and pickup
Alamo rental car: Book online through search!
- Among several companies offering one-way rental cars from San Francisco to Seattle, we offer the most reasonable rates!
- Actual rent: $825.21 (3 nights, 4 days, one way)
- Internet payment $400, additionally visit the rental car and pay the remaining $425.
📌Check out rental car prices from San Francisco to Seattle!
🚨 Things you should never forget when renting a car
Generally, an international driver's license is required. I'll leave instructions on how to obtain one below, so if you plan to rent a car in the United States, make sure you get one!
- International Driving Permit (Required): 🔎[Simple method of issuing an international driver's license] Go to check
- Credit card/check card in your name (Payment with another person's card is not allowed)
- Passport (for identification)
There were several similar SUVs to choose from in my price range, including the Hyundai Tucson and the Nissan Rogue.
But, since the Tucson had maintenance issues, I ended up choosing the Nissan Rogue. It is a compact SUV with good basic options and cruise control, making it suitable for long-distance driving in the United States.I did it.
Rental car pickup location: 📍780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128 USA
🛣️ Step 2: A Practical Guide to Driving on Western US Highways
U.S. Traffic Laws Korean Drivers Must Know
American highways are different from those in Korea. There are many highways that are primarily straight. Therefore, driving can be done without too much danger as long as you keep to your lane, but there are some precautions that must be followed.
- No passing on the right – Passing only in the left lane
- When a school bus stops, all vehicles stop. (both directions)
- Proceed after stopping completely at the STOP sign
🚛 Large Truck Precautions
Countless large trailers (aka "Optimus Primes") travel the highways. Therefore, maintaining a safe distance is paramount. Drive carefully!
🏨 Step 3: Stay in Medford – Choose a Stopover
Rogue Regency Inn & Suites Detailed Review
샌프란시스코에서 시애틀까지 13시간을 한 번에 운전하는 건, 쉽지 않은 일이죠. 특히 처음 미국 운전이라면 더욱 그럴 수 있습니다. 그래서 저희는 중간쯤 되는 거리에 메드퍼드라는 지역에 숙소를 잡았습니다.
Although it felt a bit old in the traditional American style building, I am very satisfied with the cleanliness and comfort of the place and the affordable price for one night.I did it.
location: 2300 Biddle Rd, Medford, OR 97504
rating: 2-star hotel
Actual cost: $90/night (family of 3, 2 beds, breakfast included)
💰 How to Apply American Tipping Culture in Practice
- Breakfast Tips: $5 (free but to the server)
- Housekeeping Tips: $5 (at checkout)
- Tip calculation method: $1-2 per person for free meals, 10-20% for food cost when paying for breakfast
Medford is a medium-sized city in Oregon. The perfect location for a break midway between San Francisco and Seattle.(There is a Five Guys hamburger chain nearby!)
⛽ Step 4: Mastering American Gas Stations
Key Differences Between Korean and American Gas Stations
Select octane:
- In the rental car Regular 87 Select (cheapest)
- Premium or Plus is not necessary
Unit difference:
- United States: Gallon
- 1 gallon = 3.78 liters
💡 Tips for refueling
I once made the mistake of entering the gallons instead of the dollar amount at the gas pump. It was my first time filling up in the US, so I ended up filling up twice because of the mistake. Knowing this in advance will help you avoid embarrassment.
🚨 Precautions when returning a rental car The rental car Return fully chargedThis is the basics. If you return the car without refueling, you will have to pay a fine that is much higher than the cost of refueling, so be sure to fully refuel at a gas station right before returning it.do!
👉 Actual fuel cost: $120.9 (1,300km + city driving included)
🍜 Step 5: Experience local food after arriving in Seattle
Marugame Udon's Seattle branch is a hot topic among young people.
The first restaurant I stopped at upon arriving in Seattle was Marugame UdonIt was. I wanted to experience the same excitement I experienced while traveling in Hawaii in Seattle.
The prices are reasonable, there's no tipping, and you can enjoy delicious udon. (📌Check out the video for a review!)
characteristic:
- Easy access due to its location within a large shopping mall
- Especially popular with young people (hip vibe)
- Same menu and serving system as Hawaii Marugame Udon
💸 Total Cost of a Rental Car Trip in the Western US Revealed
For a family of three, I'll share the rental car costs and accommodation costs for a three-night, four-day trip from San Francisco to Seattle. I hope this information will be helpful to anyone planning a rental car trip in the western United States.
Disclosure of actual expenditure details
- Rental car cost: $825.21 (Alamo, 1 night, 2 days, one way)
- Gas costs: $120.9 (1,300 km driven)
- Accommodation: $90 (1 night in Medford, breakfast included) + $405 (2 nights for 3 people at a Seattle hotel)
- tip: $10 (Breakfast + Housekeeping)
- aggregate: Approximately $1,451 (excluding snacks, Boeing Museum fees, coffee, and other meal prices)
🎯 Key Points for a Rental Car Trip in the Western US
✅ Things you must check
- Check out companies offering one-way rentals – Not all companies allow one-way transfers. (Please check return and refueling conditions)
- International Driving Permit Validity Period – Be sure to check before departure
- credit card limit - Secure sufficient limits, including deposits
- Weather information – Even in the West, the temperature difference is large depending on the season.
🌧️ Seattle Weather Features
It rained on the day of my arrival, but I was able to experience Seattle's characteristically gloomy yet charming atmosphere.
📱 Tips for Using Highway Rest Areas
How to Use American-Style Rest Areas
Unlike rest areas in Korea, in the US Various franchises at each highway interchangeIt is located in a convenient location, so it is easier and more convenient to use than you might think.
- Signs for Starbucks, McDonald's, In-N-Out, etc. are visible from the highway.
- When you exit, there are supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations all gathered together.
- Both restroom use and meals are available.
- Re-entering the highway is not complicated either.
👨👦 The meaning and memories of a family trip
Special time with my teenage son
Running the long distance of 1,300km together, I was able to have many conversations with my son, with whom I usually had difficulty talking.
The conversation that took place naturally in the confined space of a car was a more valuable experience than any other trip.
If I had taken a plane, it would have taken 1-2 hours to get there, but This time spent with my family is a precious memory that cannot be exchanged for anything else.This has become the case.
If you haven't seen the video yet, be sure to check out my US rental car travel video on my YouTube channel!
🎬 Want to know more about my travel story?
You can find vivid footage of this trip and more episodes on our family's YouTube channel, which captures every moment of our world travels with my teenage son.
📺 Traveling YouTube Channel: https://youtube.co.kr/@traveljoong
finish
Traveling by rental car in the United States was initially a bit concerning, but the experience proved to be well worth the challenge. The time spent in the car with my family, in particular, created unforgettable memories.
All the scenery I saw while driving along National Route 5 remains vivid in my memory. I hope you too will find the courage to take on the challenge, and I hope this article will be of some help.
If you found this review helpful, please visit our YouTube channel. More travel stories and vivid videos await you!
