How to Travel the U.S. Without a Car: A Guide for the Car-Less and Carefree

So, you want to travel across the land of SUVs, drive-thrus, and 14-lane highways… without a car?

First of all, welcome. You are either incredibly bold, wildly creative, environmentally conscious, broke, or just hate driving (no judgment). Maybe you’re a city slicker who’s never owned a car. Maybe you totaled your last ride doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot and decided it’s trains or bust now. Either way, good news: it’s possible. It’s even fun. And—dare we say it—it might just be better than renting that Nissan Altima for $140 a day and fighting for parking in L.A.

This guide will walk you through how to travel the U.S. without a car, from public transit to scenic trains, cheeky bus hacks, and yes, the occasional awkward airport shuttle.

Why Go Car-Free in America?

Let’s get this out of the way: the U.S. was built with the assumption that you’d have four wheels and a glove box full of expired Chick-fil-A sauce packets. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be explored car-free.

Here’s why some travelers ditch the car:
- It’s cheaper (no rental, no gas, no $55 parking at your hotel)
- It’s greener (Mother Earth thanks you)
- It’s less stressful (no arguing over directions, no surprise tolls)
- It forces you to slow down and actually experience things

You just need to know your options—and how to connect them like a boss.

1. Embrace the Big Three: Trains, Buses, and Planes

You may not have a car, but America has options. They’re not always glamorous. But they get the job done.

Amtrak: The Underrated Romance of Rail

Amtrak is the closest the U.S. comes to a nationwide train system. It covers 500+ destinations in 46 states and runs some surprisingly scenic routes.

Best Routes Without a Car:
- California Zephyr: Chicago to San Francisco through the Rockies (chef’s kiss)
- Empire Builder: Seattle to Chicago via Glacier National Park
- Northeast Regional: Boston to D.C.—urban hop for carless city folks

Tips:
- Book early for lower fares
- Overnight trains have roomettes (tiny cabins with beds)
- Trains let you bring way more baggage than planes. And no TSA line.

Buses: Not Glamorous, But Cheap and Ubiquitous

When in doubt, take the bus. No, it’s not always comfy, but it’s ridiculously affordable and goes places even Amtrak skips.

Top Bus Companies:
- Greyhound – The classic. Now with onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Megabus – Double-decker buses, ultra-cheap if you book early.
- FlixBus – Modern fleet, operates in the West and Southwest.
- RedCoach – Great for Florida and the Southeast.

Pro Tip: Buses often go to college towns, which are full of walkable streets, cheap eats, and decent hostels.

Domestic Flights: For Long-Haul Jumps

If you need to cross multiple states fast, hop on a budget airline. Yes, it's not technically the most eco-friendly—but if your other option is a 42-hour Greyhound from Phoenix to Boston, we’re not judging.

Budget Airlines to Watch:
- Southwest – No change fees, two free checked bags.
- Spirit & Frontier – Only if you’re cool with paying $48 for legroom.
- Allegiant – Great for small-town to small-town hops.

Book smart: Use Google Flights or Hopper to compare fares and set alerts.

2. Navigate U.S. Cities Without a Car (Yes, Even in L.A.)

Contrary to popular belief, some U.S. cities are actually walkable. Others have surprisingly decent transit if you know where to look.

Best U.S. Cities for Car-Free Travel:
- New York City – Obviously. Subway, buses, ferries, and your feet.
- Washington, D.C. – Clean, simple Metro system.
- San Francisco – Muni, BART, cable cars (yes, those still exist).
- Chicago – The "L" will take you anywhere.
- Boston – Old-school but reliable. Also, very walkable.

Cities That Are Possible Without a Car (With Patience):
- Los Angeles – Metro rail is expanding fast; rideshares help fill gaps.
- Seattle – Buses + light rail = decent combo.
- Portland, OR – Super walkable, bikeable, with light rail.

Apps You Need:
- Citymapper – A+ for planning public transit in real time.
- Transit App – Track buses, trains, scooters, and bike shares.
- Uber/Lyft – For when you're stranded in a suburb after a taco crawl.

3. Go the Scenic (and Strange) Route

Sometimes, the best car-free travel moments come from the weird stuff.

Rent a Bike or Scooter

Cities like Austin, Denver, and Miami are full of rentable bikes and scooters. Most use apps like Lime or Bird. You’ll feel like a futuristic cowboy.

Just avoid: Gravel roads, interstates, and places where helmet use is considered “optional.”

Join a Group Tour or Day Trip

Want to visit Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, or Niagara Falls but don’t have a car? Tours exist for this exact reason.

Check:
- Viator
- GetYourGuide
- Local hostels or tourism boards

You’ll get roundtrip transit, lunch, and a guide who makes dad jokes.

Take a Ferry

America has ferries. Lots of them.

- Seattle → Bainbridge Island
- NYC → Staten Island or Governor’s Island
- San Francisco → Sausalito

Some are scenic. Some are free. Some get you closer to seals.

4. Sleep Smart: Where to Stay When You Can’t Drive

Booking lodging is easier when you don’t need a parking spot.

Stay Near Transit Hubs

Look for hotels or hostels near:
- Train stations (Amtrak, Metro, etc.)
- Major bus depots
- Airport terminals with shuttle service

Use These Filters:
- “Near subway” or “walkable”
- “Airport shuttle included”
- “Accessible by public transport”

Also try hostels: They’re often more central, have tour info, and you’ll meet fellow car-free weirdos like yourself.

5. Bonus: Car-Free Travel Hacks

Let’s wrap it with some tricks of the trade:

- Use Reddit. Subreddits like r/solotravel or r/travelusa have goldmine advice from real people.
- Don’t overpack. You’ll regret dragging that third pair of boots onto a crowded Muni train.
- Use FlixBus promo codes. They’re everywhere online. Seriously. Google it before you book.
- Sleep on trains or buses overnight to save on lodging.
- Join hotel loyalty programs. Even budget chains like Choice Hotels offer discounts and free nights.
- Be flexible. Without a car, your travel rhythm will be slower, more spontaneous—and honestly, more interesting.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Car to Travel America

Let’s be honest: traveling the U.S. without a car is a little like hiking in flip-flops. It’s not always smooth. You may get odd stares. But it’s absolutely doable—and it unlocks a version of America most people miss when they’re zooming by at 80 mph.

You’ll meet people. You’ll actually see cities instead of freeway exits. And you’ll collect stories that don’t involve trying to parallel park in Philly.

So go forth, fearless pedestrian. The open (side) road awaits.