The 2026 World Cup is spread across 16 cities in three countries, making it the perfect excuse for an epic road trip. With matches running from June 11 to July 19, you have over five weeks to combine football with one of the great American traditions: the road trip. Here's how to plan your route, what to expect on the road, and the tipping situations you'll encounter along the way.
The East Coast Route
Start in Boston and work your way south through New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and down to Miami. Total driving distance: approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) one-way. Boston to MetLife Stadium (NJ) is about 3.5 hours. NJ to Philadelphia is just 1.5 hours. Philadelphia to Miami is the big haul — 18 hours, best broken into two days with a stop in the Carolinas or Savannah.
This route hits four host cities and lets you explore the entire East Coast. Side trip opportunities: Washington DC (2 hours from Philly), Charleston SC (a great overnight stop), and Orlando (3.5 hours from Miami).
The Texas Triangle
Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey form a triangle that's very manageable by car. Dallas to Houston is 3.5 hours on I-45. Houston to Monterrey (Mexico) is about 8 hours via the Laredo border crossing. Monterrey back to Dallas is approximately 8.5 hours. The entire triangle is roughly 20 hours of driving, easily done over a week with match days in between.
If you're crossing into Mexico, make sure your car rental agreement allows border crossing (many don't — check carefully). You'll need Mexican auto insurance, which you can buy at the border or online in advance. Keep your passport and vehicle registration easily accessible.
The West Coast Route
Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of America's most scenic drives. Seattle to San Francisco is approximately 12 hours via I-5 (or 14+ hours via the stunning Pacific Coast Highway). San Francisco to LA is 5.5 hours on I-5 or 8 hours on the iconic Highway 1 along the coast.
Bonus: extend south from LA to Guadalajara, Mexico — though this requires roughly 30 hours of driving, making flights more practical for that leg. The Seattle-to-LA portion alone is a world-class road trip with matches as waypoints.
The Cross-Country Epic
For the truly ambitious: Seattle to Boston, hitting as many host cities as possible. A northern route through Seattle, Vancouver (quick border hop), then across to Toronto and down to Boston/NYC covers roughly 3,000 miles and 45+ hours of driving. A southern route from LA through Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and up the East Coast covers similar distance. Most fans who attempt the cross-country route mix driving with a couple of flights for the longest legs.
Gas Station Tipping (Yes, It's a Thing)
In most US states, you pump your own gas and no tip is involved. However, New Jersey and Oregon are full-service states where an attendant pumps your gas by law. In New Jersey (where MetLife Stadium is located), tipping gas station attendants $1–3 is appreciated but not strictly required. If the attendant cleans your windshield or checks your oil, $2–3 is a nice gesture.
At rest stops with sit-down restaurants, tip 15–20% as you would anywhere. Fast food and gas station convenience stores don't require tips. If you use a car wash along the way, tip the detailing crew $3–5 for a hand-dry/finish.
Toll Roads and Parking Costs
Toll roads are common on the East Coast and in Texas. Budget $20–40/day in tolls for East Coast driving. Many toll roads now use electronic collection only (no cash lanes), so rent an E-ZPass transponder with your rental car or ensure your rental company's toll policy is clear. In Texas, the North Texas Tollway and Sam Houston Tollway are common routes to stadiums.
Stadium parking on match days typically costs $30–60 in US cities, with premium lots near the stadium charging up to $100. Tip parking lot attendants $2–5, especially at staffed lots. For cheaper options, look for park-and-ride transit connections — many cities will set up special World Cup shuttle services from remote parking areas.
Road Trip Tipping Summary
Road trips involve a lot of tipping touchpoints: restaurants at every meal stop, hotel housekeeping each night, bartenders at watch parties, gas attendants in NJ/Oregon, valet parking at hotels, car wash attendants, and more. It adds up. Budget an extra $20–30/day per person for tips on a road trip through the US.
Keeping track of all that tipping is exactly why Gratiq exists. Scan your receipt at every stop — restaurant, bar, gas station — and get instant tip calculations. Over a multi-week road trip, the convenience is invaluable. Download it before you hit the road.