Is this question for real? With the world as it is-whose car is it? Who will lose sleep wondering? <BR>I agree why not something much closer-if there were trouble you could try and step in to help.

Please think. Even when I accompany my daughters on a trip there is unwanted attention. I can't imagine what would happen if I were not along. They have been subject of stares, whistles and invited to ride with a person at an amusement park. There are some BOLD men and women out there.

Don't forget that it's YOUR car!

Please remember Yosemite

Is your daughter going away to college in the fall? If so, then perhaps you had better begin to let go and learn to trust her. You can't shield her from the outside world forever. Women There is no reason why such a trip can't be taken if you and her sit down, and have an open, honest talk about what you expect from her and what rules are to be followed. If she is as responsible as you say, then such a talk will be appreciated and honored. In addition, you may want to have her learn basic self defense (something all women should know anyway) to build her confidence, allay some of your fears, and help her be prepared.

Wow, that's an awful lot of freedom and responsibility to give an 18 year old. Under no circumstances would my parents have let me loose to take such a trip/risk. I remember myself at 18, remember how niave I was, how little forsight I had, and how relatively immature I was about the ways of the world. It scares me to think of me at 18 doing such a thing. <BR> <BR>Under no circumstances will I let my daughters take such a risk when they're 18 either. They have all their lives (hopefully) to travel on their own - when they can pay for it, and make good decisions. Why not take a family trip to those places? Just my thoughts and opinions. Good luck with your decisions.

The latest issue of Travel And Leisure magazine has an article called "50 Tips for Women Traveling Alone". Alot of the tips are common sense but you may want to pick up a copy for your daughter to read.

I don't know what to say to someone who claims both "I know I would have no shame in picking up guys (possibly) along the way" and "i'm also responsible, etc." <BR>You know your daughter better than any of us do, obviously, and while parents don't know everything about their children, they can usually tell whether their children know the meaning of the word responsible (and that it doesn't include picing up strangers). I was a cautious, geeky teenager, and my parents trusted me. I borrowed the family car for road trips, and all the caveats and rules that other people are mentioning sound VERY familiar. No, my parents weren't physically there to enforce the rules, but by that time disobeying them didn't seem like a real option. I was old enough to know they were looking out for my interests.

Give her a credit card to use in case of emergencies. People do silly things (like stay at rest stops, ask strangers for help, etc.) often because they don't have any money. If your daughter is responsible, I'm sure she won't abuse the privilege.

Why not a family trip? The last summer our daughter was home-before college-took a great road trip across the US. <BR>Family time can never be replaced.

Have they left yet?

I agree -- pretty risky. Tell them to take their highway breaks at fast food restaurants rather than rest stops or truck stops -- and go everywhere together. I'm from the midwest too -- by nature we're sometimes way to trusting of strangers . . . <BR> <BR>I think a much better idea would be for them to get cheap airfare and fly to Walt Disney World -- it's not just for little kids and is very safe. I for one would rest more at ease and I don't even know them. . . .

Carole, <BR>When I was 20, 3 friends & I drove from TX to FL, destination one of their brothers apt. in Tampa. We agreed in advance to switch drivers every 2 hours, strictly (we were driving 24 hrs straight thru). I would also suggest charging gas fillups--another way to track their movement. (Make sure you can get info from the cc co. if it's not your card.) You've received a lot of good advice and I hope your daughter heeds it! My stomach is quaking for you. I am 35 and a mom of a 10-yr-old, and I really can't imagine being brave enough much less being allowed to take such a trip when I was 18. You are right to be worried, and my hope is your daughter will get a little scared after your conversations about it and decide not to go!

All I can say is..."DUMB IDEA, DUMB IDEA, DUMB IDEA!" No offense, but in this world we're living in, I would never let my beautiful 18 yr old daughter venture through the country with a friend. Its way too dangerous. She'll have plenty of time to do that when she's older...why not travel WITH her???

All I can say is..."DUMB IDEA, DUMB IDEA, DUMB IDEA!" No offense, but in this world we're living in, I would never let my beautiful 18 yr old daughter venture through the country with a friend. Its way too dangerous. She'll have plenty of time to do that when she's older...why not travel WITH her???

Yes, there have been some highly publicized tourist crimes lately. But remember this is across the millions of people that tour the country. Don't blow it out of proportion. There can be a crazy guy that walks into your workplace and starts shooting. Do you want everyone to quit going to work? <BR>That said, I drove from Chicago to NYC with my sister when I was 18. We were cautious and responsible and were fine. Give her some guidelines and point out the risks and try not to worry.

Do you realize how dangerous rest area are? If one girl is engaged in conversation, someone could easily hide behind the car or worse. In Virginia a young woman was flagged over by a man who said she had car trouble. She was found murdered! It is hard to be on guard every moment. People are looking for a victim. I don't want her to be the one.

Never heard the word NO!

Have the kids gone yet? What did you decide?

Is this question for REAL?