quote:

He is too naïve and too trusting.

Then, I would suggest he absolutely avoid Interstate Rest Areas and truck stops. (My experience from motoring cross country for many years).

IMO, it would be safer for him if he checks into a quality Motel each night.

At 21 I spent 42 days riding my motorcycle around the country. I learned some lessons about life on that trip that I would never have learned any other way. This sounds like a great opportunity for him to experience some lessons of his own.

Make it an adventure for him. Find 2 places with something of interest to your son that falls close to his route and help him plan his trip to hit one each way. It will broaden his horizons more than just a straight drive there and back.

Have him avoid Chicago by either taking the ferry across Lake Michigan or going north through the upper peninsula. The UP route will add some extra mileage but if you find something on that route that catches his interest to visit it won't seem like it.

Enable what ever type of family mode his phone has on it so you can check the location of his phone remotely but I'll challenge you not to contact him the entire trip. Let all communications be initiated by him.

My grandson is 21, lives in his Moms basement and cant find his way 20 miles to our house without his GPS -

Make sure his maps are updated.

Change his "HOME" setting - just for laughs.

Hope he has a great trip - Just kidding around.

Our younger(21ish) y/o Son has driven solo to CO once & FL twice in the last year. Yes, check the car out, I’m sure he has a cell. You should have an idea of his driving capabilities by now.

Along the way I’d imagine WI will be the lowest crime State of the bunch. There may be other issues to worry about, that part of WI, not so much.

The biggies I see are safe driving, then where he is with life’s directions. Maybe at least a mid level hotel when called for, in a better part of town/exit.

Thanks for all the tips. Besides be able to track him by his cell, we have Tile, which I find helps out very well when my wife drives to Georgia several times a year. This will be a good adventure for him. Time to open the door and let him fly.
Next year my daughter leaves for Vanderbilt in Tennessee. I worry less with her.

My son made it to Kimberly this Monday. He made it a two day drive stopping in Ohio to see a friend that is been recalled by the Marines to be deployed. Funny thing, 600 miles from home on an Interstate, my neighbor from across the street passed him on the highway and they pulled over for a few minutes to talk. With half of his driving over, I feel a lot more comfortable for his trip home. Motels are hard to find for someone under 21, and he has to give a cash $50 deposit along with a credit card.