Help me get my College Teenager 900 miles home

[soccerluvof4]

So here is the short of it.

My son is in NC and they have gotten snowed in. I was going to fly in and drive him/his car home because he is transferring schools over the winter break. Now my flight got moved till tomorrow and with being snowed in hes not sure when the Apartment he is staying in will be able to get the carpet cleaned etc.. to get his release. So my DW and I feel comfortable that when he gets things done if he breaks it up when roads are cleared to drive home. My question is being 19 how can I find him a place to stay and or will a hotel/motel if i book over the phone let him stay? Ive never done airbnb so not sure how that works out.. Hes basically would be leaving Western NC and heading To WI but only when I find out from DOT the roads are safe etc..

[Freedomin5]

I don’t understand. He’s 19. Doesn’t he have friends with whom he can crash until the roads clear and he can drive home?

Another option is that you can book a hotel under your name, since you fly in tomorrow, and he can stay with you in your hotel room. Or as an adult, he can book a hotel online in his own name with his credit card.

I guess I’m not really seeing the problem?

[Another Reader]

When does he have to be out of the apartment?  A sleeping bag on the floor is ok for a night or two.

I would look for a place for him to stay there until it is safe to drive.  If he can't stay at the apartment, then a nearby AirBNB room is probably what I would consider.  Then fly down or let him drive by himself if he is mature enough to do so.

[soccerluvof4]

No maybe I wasn't clear. He has place to stay until roads are clear to go. I was just more wondering about on way back if there is a certain age for him to stay in Hotel or can I book and he can just stay or was airbnb everyone talks about a better idea.

[Bracken_Joy]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

[soccerluvof4]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

Yea to your point hes almost 20 and that fact that he cant rent a hotel room for a night is stupid. I was thinking if I call some off the beaten privately owned locations I might be able to twist someones arm.

[Bracken_Joy]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

Yea to your point hes almost 20 and that fact that he cant rent a hotel room for a night is stupid. I was thinking if I call some off the beaten privately owned locations I might be able to twist someones arm.

I leveraged my GPA and academic/work experiences a couple times- it worked about 50% of the times I really tried. Could be worth a go. Although it probably helped I was a young woman- it's uncomfortable but utterly true to point out to them, do they want me sleeping alone in my car in a rest stop or staying at their hotel? It's their choice. Maybe also highlight he's just sleeping overnight en route home, so it's not like a multi-day, likely to party and trash the place type stop.

[soccerluvof4]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

Yea to your point hes almost 20 and that fact that he cant rent a hotel room for a night is stupid. I was thinking if I call some off the beaten privately owned locations I might be able to twist someones arm.

I leveraged my GPA and academic/work experiences a couple times- it worked about 50% of the times I really tried. Could be worth a go. Although it probably helped I was a young woman- it's uncomfortable but utterly true to point out to them, do they want me sleeping alone in my car in a rest stop or staying at their hotel? It's their choice. Maybe also highlight he's just sleeping overnight en route home, so it's not like a multi-day, likely to party and trash the place type stop.

Yea good points! His car is going to be packed with all his belonging so sleeping in it probably not an option combined with hes 6'9

[Bracken_Joy]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

Yea to your point hes almost 20 and that fact that he cant rent a hotel room for a night is stupid. I was thinking if I call some off the beaten privately owned locations I might be able to twist someones arm.

I leveraged my GPA and academic/work experiences a couple times- it worked about 50% of the times I really tried. Could be worth a go. Although it probably helped I was a young woman- it's uncomfortable but utterly true to point out to them, do they want me sleeping alone in my car in a rest stop or staying at their hotel? It's their choice. Maybe also highlight he's just sleeping overnight en route home, so it's not like a multi-day, likely to party and trash the place type stop.

Yea good points! His car is going to be packed with all his belonging so sleeping in it probably not an option combined with hes 6'9

Make sure he knows to park his car in view of his room, check on it often, etc. If he's near a highway, hotel parking lots are massive targets for theft =(

And jesus christ 6'9"... I'll never complain about feeling too tall for my car ever again, haha.

And FWIW, AirBnB isn't hard to use. If you're more comfortable, you can do it all through their website and never have to use the app. Just be sure to set the dates when you look stuff up, this time of year lots will be booked up I bet.

[I'm a red panda]

I never had problems in college booking hotel rooms when I was under 21. The only issue came from renting a car (under 25).

Are you sure it's even a problem?

[Mountainbug]

Call a hotel you’re considering and ask if you can book it for him, it should be just fine. The worst they can do is say no. My dad gifted my family a hotel room on our trip home last year (we live 700 miles away) and it was fine, though we are adults with credit cards.

[soccerluvof4]

Call a hotel you’re considering and ask if you can book it for him, it should be just fine. The worst they can do is say no. My dad gifted my family a hotel room on our trip home last year (we live 700 miles away) and it was fine, though we are adults with credit cards.

I never had problems in college booking hotel rooms when I was under 21. The only issue came from renting a car (under 25).

Are you sure it's even a problem?

This is what I am going to do this morning hes leaving 8am so will figure a spot and i feel comfortable I will find him a place.

Thanks everyone

[Dee18]

This site looks helpful:
https://firstquarterfinance.com/hotels-that-allow-19-year-olds-to-check-in/

[mm1970]

Being under 21 and trying to find "conventional" lodgings in a lot of states is truly miserable. My understanding is, it depends by state though. I know Oregon it's 21 years+ to rent a room though (or that was just everyone's policy?). I usually opted for couch surfing, camping, sleeping in the car, etc. The latter two don't work well in a snow storm. AirBnB might be your best bet if he doesn't have anyone to crash with, and just explain the situation to the owner. You might luck out. Slash, check state laws and call specific hotels for their policies.

(PS, it fucking sucks that 18 is legally "adult" and yet you're generally years away from renting hotel rooms or cars. Incredibly frustrating when you don't have much family support or contact)

Yea to your point hes almost 20 and that fact that he cant rent a hotel room for a night is stupid. I was thinking if I call some off the beaten privately owned locations I might be able to twist someones arm.

I leveraged my GPA and academic/work experiences a couple times- it worked about 50% of the times I really tried. Could be worth a go. Although it probably helped I was a young woman- it's uncomfortable but utterly true to point out to them, do they want me sleeping alone in my car in a rest stop or staying at their hotel? It's their choice. Maybe also highlight he's just sleeping overnight en route home, so it's not like a multi-day, likely to party and trash the place type stop.

Yea good points! His car is going to be packed with all his belonging so sleeping in it probably not an option combined with hes 6'9

Make sure he knows to park his car in view of his room, check on it often, etc. If he's near a highway, hotel parking lots are massive targets for theft =(

And jesus christ 6'9"... I'll never complain about feeling too tall for my car ever again, haha.

And FWIW, AirBnB isn't hard to use. If you're more comfortable, you can do it all through their website and never have to use the app. Just be sure to set the dates when you look stuff up, this time of year lots will be booked up I bet.

6'9".  My college boyfriend was 6'8".  For what it's worth, we were renting hotel rooms in college.

I don't see why you couldn't guesstimate the driving time for him (when he's safe to travel), and just book him a room at a mid-range hotel along the way.  Pay for it up front.  Put it in his name.  He's over 18.  Mid-range because I'd say it's safer with all of his stuff in the car, if you are in a nicer hotel with cameras and such.

The only reason we were able to rent cars under 25 is because we were in the military.

[mxt0133]

My family and I do a lot of road trips and if we just need to sleep for a few hours before we hit the road again, we either sleep at interstate rest stops or at a Walmart.  We never pay for a hotel if we need just a few hours of sleep.  The worries of someone robbing or kidnapping you at well lit rest stops or parking lots are way over blown.

There are other places that are open 24/7 like gas stations or casinos that are well lit and safe.

[I'm a red panda]

My family and I do a lot of road trips and if we just need to sleep for a few hours before we hit the road again, we either sleep at interstate rest stops or at a Walmart.  We never pay for a hotel if we need just a few hours of sleep.  The worries of someone robbing or kidnapping you at well lit rest stops or parking lots are way over blown.

There are other places that are open 24/7 like gas stations or casinos that are well lit and safe.

Maybe as a family or 6'9" male, I'd be comfortable with this; but as a 5'0" female, I don't think I'd be sleeping on the side of an interstate.

That said, I also routinely will drive 1,100 mile days- so 900 would be a LONG day, but doable. 

[dandarc]

I once stayed at a hotel with friends and no parents when all but one of us was under 18 and he was only 18. I really don't think there is a huge problem.

Also - 900 miles is only like 16-18 hours at an average of 60 with reasonable, but not lengthy breaks. With 2+ drivers, and not having to do it again in the next couple of days, just power through. This isn't a cross-country road trip.

[robartsd]

900 miles in good conditions with two drivers - I wouldn't love it, but can do it. 900 miles in winter conditions or with solo driver - you better at least have a backup plan.

[OtherJen]

My family and I do a lot of road trips and if we just need to sleep for a few hours before we hit the road again, we either sleep at interstate rest stops or at a Walmart.  We never pay for a hotel if we need just a few hours of sleep.  The worries of someone robbing or kidnapping you at well lit rest stops or parking lots are way over blown.

There are other places that are open 24/7 like gas stations or casinos that are well lit and safe.

Maybe as a family or 6'9" male, I'd be comfortable with this; but as a 5'0" female, I don't think I'd be sleeping on the side of an interstate.

That said, I also routinely will drive 1,100 mile days- so 900 would be a LONG day, but doable.

As another 5’0” female, I second this. Plus, he’s driving to Wisconsin in winter across the Appalachians and through the lower Great Lakes region. Overnight temps could easily fall into the single-digit Fahrenheit range which would make sleeping in a car a lousy option if it could be avoided (I imagine San Francisco and surrounding areas are much different).

[soccerluvof4]

Hes already an Hour North of Indianapolis so coming straight through as of 2:45 CST time.
Thanks all

[I'm a red panda]

Hes already an Hour North of Indianapolis so coming straight through as of 2:45 CST time.
Thanks all

Glad to hear it is going smoothly!

[mxt0133]

As another 5’0” female, I second this. Plus, he’s driving to Wisconsin in winter across the Appalachians and through the lower Great Lakes region. Overnight temps could easily fall into the single-digit Fahrenheit range which would make sleeping in a car a lousy option if it could be avoided (I imagine San Francisco and surrounding areas are much different).

Good point.  I guess that was the main reason I never traveled much by car when I live in the northeast.  Forgot what cold/freezing temperature was all about.

As for renting a hotel under 21, I haven't been 21 in a long time but I used to be able to rent hotel rooms after 18, even if they were by the hour.

[soccerluvof4]

I got home just after 8 pm. Got stuck in traffic in Chicago and lost about 20 minutes but otherwise all went well. So guess no need for hotel! Thanks again