How much time needed from LA to Alaska and to Mexico
 

Hi all,

My original plan was to fly and ship my bike to US from NZ in the beginning of March, go to Alaska on July and from there head to Mexico and further SA.
Now, after getting familiar with the visa requirements, it seems like this is not doable…
Is three months enough to do this part without rushing?
I do not know how hard it is to get tourist visa (allows person to stay in US for 6 months), but at least reading different forums, this is quite difficult.
I also read that leaving US by going to Canada is not counted as "leaving US", is this really the case?

could you fly to another country for a short visit?

Jeez, just googling that makes your head spin. We have seen lots of south Asian foreigners doing the visa run/visit to niagra falls but that was ages ago. There may be one rule for air travel and another for land borders when it comes to resetting the clock? Or you could not mess around and apply for a B1/B2 visa. You can do the miles fast but the distances can be vast and punishing. (Our stretch from Vancouver - DC was around 8000ks in 3 weeks...and it can be done much faster but no fun!). I'm going to take a wild guess but you may have an easier time sending the bike to Vancouver, then getting the longer visa while clearing the bike out (for us this took some days) Importing the bike into the US may be less hassle over a land border?

You could cram us/Canada into 3months, it'll be at least 11,000ks, more if you come visit us ;) and I always underestimate...of course this should be coordinated with your desired route & the time of year. You might not want to experience Death Valley in summer! Holler if you want us to send any scenic suggestions that'll knock your socks off. North America is very good for that! Xxxooo Si

Thank you for the answers! :thumbup1:
Distance wise I know I can do it quickly, but I would not like to rush through it.
Strange, longer you are on a road, slower the pace gets (at least in my case).

Now my plans are clearer and I will aim to B2-visa. I know it is too early to get to US (due to winter weather), but I need to leave NZ in the beginning of March.
Just hoping that I can get B2-visa from NZ and that I do not need to fly back europe to apply it...

It's not too early:) weather in much of the SW USA is probably gorgeous...poke around, the entire pacific coast highway might still be good this time of year? Cool but not freezing unless you pop into the mountains...makes me miss the road!

I think since you qualify for visa free entry they will give you the B2 no problem.

Will keep my fingers crossed :thumbup1:
I try to get over there to the east coast and visit you guys there :D

PS: Today I felt my first earthquake!

If this helps, we flew into Las Vegas in May, we rode up to Vancouver via Yellowstone. Took the ferry to Haines Alaska, rode up to Fairbanks and then back down the Alaska Highway and all the way back to New York, arriving on the 7th August, so under 3 months. We usually rode around 250 miles a day for about 5 days and we had plenty of time to see the sights.

As others have said they don't reset the clock when you go into Canada.

I think you will have plenty of time.

Lilian

In 2010 I went from Fairbanks to San Diego in 5 or 6 days. I can't remember exactly. So 3 months to do the round trip and then south to Mexico should be plenty of time.

Thanks for the answers, sounds good! Now I just need to get my bike to US.