This time, I want to share our family’s recent experience driving in the U.S. using Tesla’s FSD (Full Self-Driving). We were beyond thrilled by its performance, and I hope to share more about it in a future YouTube live stream.

Family Trip Starting from Las Vegas with Tesla FSD

At the end of July 2025, my husband, our three kids, and I took a week-long trip across the U.S. Our route was a loop from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, then back to Las Vegas. We challenged ourselves by relying entirely on Tesla’s FSD for all the driving.

To be realistic, the trip was quite expensive due to the weak yen. Flights and hotels were really pricey… Even though Las Vegas hotels are relatively affordable within the U.S., the cost for five people still added up. That’s why we decided, “This isn’t a trip we can take often in a lifetime! Let’s fully commit to experiencing FSD.” We prepared thoroughly before departure.

Renting an FSD-Equipped Tesla via “Turo”

To rent a Tesla with FSD for this trip, we used “Turo,” a popular American car-sharing app. Turo is similar to Japan’s “Anyca” (which unfortunately has since shut down). Before booking, a Tesla owner advised us, “Make sure the car really has working FSD, or you might run into trouble later.” So my husband carefully verified and reserved an FSD-equipped Tesla.

It turned out only three FSD Teslas were available for rent in Las Vegas during our dates—surprisingly few. There was even a Cybertruck, but the rental fee was too steep, so we chose a Model Y.

We picked up the car at a designated hotel parking lot. Using Turo’s app messaging, we exchanged messages like “Is this the car?” “Yes, that’s it!” before the owner remotely unlocked the doors. We started with a card key (the smartphone key didn’t work this time).

Once inside the Model Y, we couldn’t find the card key or figure out how to start the car. Unlike our Model 3, this older Model Y didn’t show D and R on the screen—they were controlled by a shift lever. Just as we felt relieved to find the lever, a warning sound suddenly went off.

Both my husband and I panicked, thinking, “What’s going on!?” but we finally managed to get going. Japanese apps and rental services are definitely more user-friendly. I guess that’s just “classic America” versus Japan’s overly helpful approach…

After leaving the parking lot, we stopped briefly and activated the FSD.

Once the navigation was set, FSD handled almost all the driving. I took the wheel myself in tricky spots like parking lots where lane markings were unclear, but on highways, city streets, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona—day and night—it was all FSD.

We estimate we drove over 1,500 km with FSD, and human intervention was needed only once—when FSD hesitated to start a left turn, so I lightly pressed the accelerator. Otherwise, it was all hands-off.

It was truly amazing.

Four Reasons Why Tesla’s FSD Blew Us Away

After experiencing FSD firsthand, here are four standout features that impressed us the most.

① Driving Feels Surprisingly Natural

Before trying FSD, I imagined robotic, jerky driving. Instead, it was smoother and more natural than a human driver. It slowed and stopped properly for pedestrians, smoothly overtook on highways, and seamlessly returned to the driving lane. It changed lanes ahead of turns and handled slow driving perfectly in roadwork zones.

It really felt like riding shotgun with a highly skilled driver.

② Confidence Even Without Local Knowledge or Driving Rules

U.S. traffic rules differ from Japan’s—for example, you must turn right on red if no cars are coming, and you don’t stop at railroad crossings. Speed limits also vary. FSD knows all these American rules and drives accordingly.

Roundabouts, rare in Japan but common in the U.S., were handled flawlessly with perfect timing. I’m sure if it were me, I’d still be going in circles! (laughs)

③ Smart Charging Management Along the Route

FSD automatically calculates your remaining battery and distance to the destination. If charging is needed, it reroutes you through Superchargers. On the way back from Sedona to Las Vegas, the originally planned Supercharger would have left us with only 8% battery on arrival.

We were nervous, but FSD smartly changed the route to a closer Supercharger, letting us arrive with plenty of charge. The intelligence of FSD impressed us deeply. Plus, with many Teslas in the U.S., Superchargers are plentiful—even rural stations had several Teslas charging.

By the way, we even spotted two Cybertrucks!

④ Unmatched Safety and Comfort

What stands out most about FSD is how much safer, more reassuring, and more comfortable it is than human driving. The AI constantly monitors 360 degrees and makes optimal decisions. Its bold yet precise driving timing handled situations where “there’s no way a human could merge here safely without perfect timing.” Autopilot is impressive, but FSD is on a whole different level. It was truly astonishing.

Being able to enjoy such a safe, comfortable long-distance drive in a foreign country was undeniably thanks to FSD—no exaggeration.

Looking Forward to FSD’s Arrival in Japan

After experiencing FSD, one improvement I hope for is the reduced frequency of prompts to keep hands on the wheel when looking away. It’s essential to stay attentive and ready to take control, but easing this would be nice. Still, I can imagine a future where robotaxis are common and people can watch movies while riding.

Even so, FSD’s current level of completion is incredible. After this experience, I strongly hope FSD will be available in Japan as soon as possible! Some say Japan’s narrow, complex roads make practical use difficult, but with Japan’s generally good driving manners, I believe it would reduce accidents and create a safer society.

I sincerely hope Tesla Japan pushes hard to make this happen!

If you’re curious about FSD, I’d say “seeing is believing.” Trying it once will truly amaze you. It’s far more advanced than I imagined—I even felt silly for assuming American tech might be rough around the edges.

Next, I’d love to try FSD in other countries too. (Though honestly, jet lag and health issues make overseas trips tough, so maybe not anytime soon… haha)