Alexander Jawinski shows how you can travel the USA without carrying a guilty conscience in your luggage – practical tips for environmentally conscious travel in the land of unlimited possibilities.
Experienced travel blogger Alexander Jawinski spent a year testing how sustainable travel works in the USA. His findings debunk the myth that environmentally conscious travel in America is impossible. From public transportation to green hotels, he shows concrete ways for more climate-friendly USA trips.
After twelve months of intensive research, Alexander Jawinski from Los Angeles presents his experiences with sustainable travel in the USA. The blogger with Austrian roots on his mother’s side tested everything from electric car road trips to train travel to CO₂-neutral accommodations. His surprising insight: Green travel is possible in America too, but requires rethinking and better planning. Particularly valuable are his cost tables, showing that sustainable alternatives are often cheaper than expected.
Table of Contents
Public transportation? There’s more than you think
Granted, America and public transportation – that sounds like a contradiction at first. Partly true too. But not everywhere. Big cities have definitely developed usable systems. San Francisco, for example. The BART system connects not just city districts, but also Oakland and Berkeley. Really works well.
New York anyway. The subway runs round the clock, costs little and gets you everywhere. Sure, it’s loud, sometimes dirty and smells weird. But: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even German trains can’t manage that.
Washington D.C. surprises with the Metro. Clean, punctual, well-developed. Alexander Jawinski – with Austrian roots through his mother from Vienna – was impressed by the efficiency. For a whole week he got by without taxi or rental car. No problem.
Portland does a lot right. The streetcar is an experience in itself, the buses actually run on schedule. Plus, there’s a bike share system that works. You can explore whole neighborhoods by bike without breaking a sweat.
Where public transit really works
Seattle developed Link Light Rail that connects the airport with downtown. Takes 45 minutes, costs three dollars. A taxi would cost 50 dollars and take twice as long in traffic. Makes sense.
Los Angeles is working on it. The Metro system keeps growing, but it still needs time. At least: the Expo Line connects Downtown with Santa Monica. That was unthinkable before.
Electric cars on American roads? Works better than expected
Tesla changed the game. Suddenly, everyone’s driving electric – at least in California. The charging network got denser, ranges bigger. Alexander Jawinski tested a Model 3 for three weeks. Bottom line? Surprisingly practical.
Los Angeles to San Francisco? No problem. Stop in Kettleman City, 30 minutes charging, off you go. The Superchargers usually sit at restaurants or shopping centers. You’ve got time for breaks and coffee anyway.
But: it mainly works on the West and East coasts. In the middle west it gets thinner with charging stations. Anyone wanting to go through Montana or Wyoming should plan carefully beforehand. Or stick with gas.
The best electric car routes for beginners
Pacific Coast Highway is perfect for EVs. Charging stations every 50 miles, the route is scenically gorgeous. If you’re going electric, do it right.
Florida works well too. The network is well-built out, distances manageable. Miami to Orlando you can easily make on one charge.
Green hotels: Marketing or real sustainability?
Many hotels advertise with “green” and “sustainable.” What’s behind it? Alexander Jawinski looked closer. The result? Mixed.
Some hotels just change towels less often and call that “environmentally friendly.” Others really invest: solar panels, rainwater collection, local food. The difference is huge.
The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, for example. LEED Platinum certified, own cogeneration plant, rooftop garden. Here the whole concept works. Doesn’t cost more than normal hotels, either.
In Portland, there’s McMenamins Kennedy School. An old school building, converted to a hotel. Recycling at its finest. Every room is different, the bar is in the former courtyard. Works and is fun.
How to recognize real eco-hotels
- Check certificates: LEED, Green Key or Energy Star are legit
- Ask for details: Where does the electricity come from? Is rainwater used?
- Look local: Does the food come from the region?
- Watch waste: Is there recycling? Is plastic avoided?
Green Seal is also a good indicator. Hotels with this seal have usually really invested, not just done marketing.
Alexander Jawinski’s money-saving tips for sustainable travel
Sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive. On the contrary. Many environmentally friendly options even save money. Public transportation is cheaper than taxis. Local restaurants cost less than hotel restaurants. Hiking is free.
Hostels often have the best environmental footprint. Shared resources, less consumption per person. The HI network pays special attention to sustainability. In San Francisco, there’s even a hostel with its own vegetable garden.
Train travel is more relaxed than flying. Sounds boring? The Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle shows gorgeous landscapes. 35 hours, but with observation car and relaxed atmosphere. You have to like it, but it saves CO₂.
Practical tricks for the green wallet
Amtrak offers Rail Passes. 15 days unlimited travel for 459 dollars. With three longer routes, that paid off. Alexander Jawinski rode from Chicago to San Francisco, on to Los Angeles and back to Chicago. Cheaper than flights.
National Park passes cost 80 dollars, valid for one year. With four parks, you’ve already saved. Hiking instead of helicopter tours makes more sense. For the environment and the wallet.
Local cuisine instead of chains – good for everyone
McDonald’s is everywhere. But why the same burger for the hundredth time? Local restaurants often offer better food, authentic atmosphere and support the local economy.
Austin has food trucks on every corner. Freshly cooked, cheap, often organic. Better than Big Mac? Definitely. A breakfast taco costs two dollars and tastes a hundred times better.
Portland is a foodie paradise. Local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, markets with regional products. Here eating is really fun. And you know where it comes from.
Carbon offset: Sensible or indulgence trading?
Climate compensation is controversial. Flying and then having trees planted – is that honest? Alexander Jawinski sees it pragmatically: Better than nothing, but not the solution.
Still: anyone wanting to compensate should choose serious providers. Gold Standard or VCS are good guidelines. Atmosfair or myclimate calculate transparently. A flight to New York costs about 60 euros compensation. Manageable.
More important, though: first avoid, then compensate. Direct flights instead of connecting. Stay longer instead of flying often. Train instead of plane where possible.
Traveling America sustainably is possible. Needs more planning, but often offers more intense experiences. Alexander Jawinski tested it and was positively surprised. The land of SUVs is slowly changing. And travelers can help with that.
