Crossing the USA in a Vantage Motorhome: A Coast-to-Coast Adventure
Few journeys capture the spirit of open-road touring quite like a coast-to-coast drive across the United States. For one Vantage owner, Hugh, their American adventure became an unforgettable sweep through mountains, deserts, coastlines, and vast open plains, proving just how capable a Vantage motorhome is on a truly international stage.
From Baltimore to the Pacific: The First Leg West
The journey began in Baltimore, before heading south into the dramatic scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From there, the route followed a classic westward trajectory along Interstate 40, picking up the historic traces of Route 66 through Oklahoma.
That stretch alone offered a changing panorama of America, shifting from wooded hillsides to wide-open plains, small towns, and iconic roadside stops. Eventually, the road led to Los Angeles, marking the first major milestone on the Pacific coast.
One of the highlights along this leg was a visit to the famous installation at Cadillac Ranch, where half-buried, graffiti-covered Cadillacs rise from the Texas soil, a quintessential Route 66 experience and a must-stop for travellers heading west.
From Los Angeles, the journey continued north along the Pacific Coast Highway, arriving in San Francisco. Although the Vantage didn’t quite make it into a Golden Gate photo opportunity, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge was still crossed…. a memorable moment in its own right.
North to the Wild Landscapes of America
From California, the route turned inland toward some of the most striking natural scenery in the United States. Yellowstone National Park delivered dramatic geothermal landscapes and vast wildlife-rich wilderness, including time around Yellowstone Lake, a serene contrast to the park’s volcanic intensity.
Further exploration included the otherworldly terrain of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, where lava fields stretch across the landscape like another planet entirely.
From there, the journey continued to Mount Rushmore, where the monumental carved faces of U.S. presidents stand watch over South Dakota’s Black Hills, a powerful symbol of American history and scale.
Through the Great Lakes and the Northern States
After the wide-open plains of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the route turned east toward the Great Lakes region. Hugh opted for rural routes rather than major cities, favouring countryside travel over urban stops, a decision that revealed a quieter, greener side of America.
Highlights included Sioux Falls, South Dakota, known for its waterfalls running through the heart of the city, and the dense forests of northern Wisconsin, a striking contrast to the earlier arid landscapes. Interestingly, much of this forest has regrown over the last two centuries after extensive historical logging.
The journey eventually reached Michigan, near the Great Lakes, where the changing terrain and cooler air marked a gentle shift toward the final stages of the trip.
Practical Insights for Shipping a Motorhome to the USA
Alongside the adventure, Hugh shared valuable insight for anyone considering taking their own motorhome across the Atlantic:
Shipping a vehicle to the USA typically requires working through a specialist shipping agent rather than booking directly with a ferry company. The process should ideally begin around three months before departure due to required paperwork and approvals.
One of the key steps is obtaining EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approval, which can take around a month and is essential for importing and registering the vehicle in the United States.
Insurance can also be complex, but shipping agents usually have specialist contacts to assist.
Costs are generally based on vehicle volume rather than weight, with a typical range around £3,000 including shipping insurance.
Most travellers ship via roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) services, commonly from UK ports such as Southampton or Liverpool, arriving into ports like Baltimore, though alternative entry points across North America are available.
The process also requires a U.S. address, as the importer of record must be established for documentation purposes.
The traveller recommended researching established Ro-Ro agents such as IVSS, while noting that sailing dates are often estimated and can shift by several days, something important to consider when booking onward travel.
Additional Considerations: LPG, Batteries, and Preparation
A few practical considerations are worth noting for future travellers:
Gas bottles must typically be empty when shipped. Many choose to replace them in the USA, where propane is widely available but often in different refill locations than UK systems.
Shipping companies commonly disconnect all vehicle batteries, which can occasionally trigger warning lights or electrical resets on arrival.
Some restrictions may apply to smaller batteries and electrical items, so preparation is essential before handover.
Final Thoughts
This journey demonstrates just how well a Vantage motorhome can adapt to one of the world’s great road-tripping destinations. From iconic highways and national parks to quiet forest routes and Great Lakes shorelines, the USA offers an unmatched diversity of landscapes, all accessible from the driver’s seat.
As Hugh’s experience shows, with the right preparation and a spirit of adventure, a transatlantic motorhome trip is not only possible, but truly unforgettable.