The British Visitor's Guide to an American RV Road Trip from Atlanta
You've seen it in the films. Route 66, the open highway, the mountains, the national parks. An American road trip is one of those things that almost every British traveller puts on the list at some point. The good news: Atlanta is one of the best places in the entire country to start one, and renting an RV is far more straightforward than you might think.
Here's everything you need to know before you book.
Why Atlanta?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, with direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh. You land, clear customs, and within an hour you can be at our Cumming or McDonough location picking up your RV. No internal flights, no connecting legs, no waiting for a hire car at a crowded airport desk.
From Atlanta, you're within a day's drive of some of the most spectacular scenery in the eastern United States: the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Gulf Coast beaches, Nashville, Savannah, and Charleston. You could spend three weeks driving and never run out of things to see.
Your Driving Licence
Your full UK driving licence is valid in the state of Georgia and throughout the United States. You do not need an International Driving Permit to rent with us, though we recommend carrying one as a precaution, particularly if you plan to drive through multiple states. You can obtain an IDP from the AA or RAC before you travel — they cost around £5.50 and take a few days to arrive.
Minimum age: 25 years old to rent with Scamper RV Rentals.
Driving on the Right
If you've never driven on the right-hand side of the road, the first hour will feel strange. The most common mistake is turning left and drifting to the left lane — stay conscious of this at junctions. Once you're on the motorway (the interstate), it becomes natural very quickly. American interstates are wide, well-signed, and far less aggressive than the M25.
A few things that catch British drivers out:
Right turn on red. Unless a sign says otherwise, you can turn right at a red traffic light after stopping and checking for traffic. This is legal across most of the US.
Four-way stops. At intersections with stop signs on all four sides, the rule is first-arrived, first-goes. If two cars arrive simultaneously, the car on the right goes first. Take it slowly and make eye contact with other drivers.
Speed limits are in miles per hour. The interstate limit is typically 65–70 mph. In our RVs, plan to cruise at 60–65 mph for comfort and fuel efficiency.
Fuel is called gasoline (or just "gas"). Our Class C motorhomes run on petrol, not diesel. Fuel is significantly cheaper than in the UK — typically around $3–4 per gallon, which works out to roughly 65–85p per litre. Fill up at Pilot, Flying J, or Love's truck stops, which have pull-through lanes designed for large vehicles.
Which RV to Choose
We have three vehicles in our fleet. For most British visitors, the Class C motorhomes are the easiest option because they're self-contained — you drive them like a large van, no towing required.
Entegra Odyssey 27U — Available from our Cumming location. Sleeps 6, full kitchen, rear bedroom, generator. This is the most popular choice for couples and families. From $305/night.
Forest River Redhawk SE 26XD — Also from our Cumming location. Similar to the Odyssey with a slide-out for extra living space. Sleeps 6. From $305/night.
Forest River Wolf Pup 17JW — Available from our McDonough location. This is a travel trailer that requires a tow vehicle. If you're comfortable towing (or plan to hire a pickup truck separately), this is a great option for smaller groups. From $199/night.
Suggested Itineraries from Atlanta
The Mountain Loop (7–10 days) Head north into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stop at Amicalola Falls (65 miles from Cumming), continue to Blue Ridge, GA, cross into Tennessee for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then swing through Asheville, NC on the way back. Stunning scenery, manageable driving distances, and campgrounds at every stop.
The Southern Cities Loop (7–10 days) Head south and east. Savannah is 4 hours from Atlanta — one of the most beautiful cities in America, full of history and Spanish moss. Continue to Charleston, SC (another 2 hours), then loop back through the Georgia coast. Ideal for those who want culture alongside the road trip experience.
The Gulf Coast Beach Run (10–14 days) Head south to Florida. Destin and Panama City Beach are about 7 hours from Atlanta — white sand, clear water, and far less crowded than Miami. Continue down to Tampa Bay and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This is the one to do in spring or autumn; summer is hot and humid.
Practical Notes for British Visitors
Electrical: US outlets are 120V with two flat pins. Bring a travel adaptor. The RV has a shore power hookup for campgrounds, which runs at 30 or 50 amps — the campground will have the right connection.
Mobile data: Get a US SIM card at the airport or use an eSIM before you travel. Google Maps works brilliantly for navigation in the RV, and you'll want data for campground bookings.
Campgrounds: We recommend booking through Recreation.gov for national park and state park sites, and Campspot or The Dyrt for private campgrounds. Book at least 2–3 weeks in advance for popular sites in summer.
Grocery stocking: We offer a grocery pre-order service. Place your order online, have it delivered to us, and we'll stock the RV before you pick it up. You'll be ready to go the moment you leave the lot.
Booking
Book online at scamperrv.com/rentals [blocked] or call us on +1 833-722-6737 (833-SCAMPER). We recommend booking at least 3–4 weeks in advance, especially for summer and autumn trips. A 3-night minimum applies.
We're happy to answer questions about routes, campgrounds, or anything else before you book. We've helped plenty of British visitors get on the road — we know what you need to know.
Welcome to America. The road is waiting.