California Road Trip

[n1njawhale]

Hi,

This is my first post on this site. I saw a few useful threads, so I though that I'd give it a shot.

I live in northwest Washington and I'm seventeen. I go to a school in central Virginia, as of this year, so I don't get to go home much, but I have a long summer break (most of which will be spent trying to earn some money).

I've been on quite a few road trips with my family, some to California, and I've been all over the United States. I've always wanted to go on a road trip with friends, but haven't really had an opportunity. Well, one of my closest friends just moved to Sacramento, and apparently he may be moving to Europe after he's done with school. I thought that this summer would be a good time to go to San Francisco on a camping trip with friends. We could drive down to Sacramento and meet my friend who lives there, then have some fun in the city. I've been to San Francisco before and I liked it.

I'm a pretty responsible guy, and I already live away from my parents for most of the year, besides, by then I'll have 2 years of driving experience, which is a lot for my age, much of it gained driving on highway 101 though Oregon.

1. Does this seem like a good idea?
2. Know any cool places on the way to the Bay area?
3. What should we bring?
4. Estimate on the damage, financially?
5. Any suggestions? I would really appreciate it. :)

[glc]

Welcome!

If your parents are okay with this, I don't see why you couldn't do it. However, you do need to examine all the legal things carefully. People under 18 are still minors in the eyes of the law, you will not be allowed to rent a hotel room. If something were to happen, such as an accident, how are the minors going to get hospital care without a responsible adult? This is something you and your parents are going to have to discuss and research.

Costs - you can calculate how much gas is going to cost. Campsites can be anywhere from free to $40 a day. Food costs pretty much the same anywhere. You are going to have to plan an overnight stop of some sort between Seattle and Sacramento, it's too far to drive in one day.

[n1njawhale]

Welcome!

If your parents are okay with this, I don't see why you couldn't do it. However, you do need to examine all the legal things carefully. People under 18 are still minors in the eyes of the law, you will not be allowed to rent a hotel room. If something were to happen, such as an accident, how are the minors going to get hospital care without a responsible adult? This is something you and your parents are going to have to discuss and research.

Costs - you can calculate how much gas is going to cost. Campsites can be anywhere from free to $40 a day. Food costs pretty much the same anywhere. You are going to have to plan an overnight stop of some sort between Seattle and Sacramento, it's too far to drive in one day.

Thank you for your helpful reply.

There's a college I wanted to take a look at near Salem, Oregon, so that might be a good stopping point for a night. And yes, I'd definitely be looking at campsites, but one of my friends I was thinking about bringing is 19, so I think that's enough adult presence for most hotels/motels just in case...?

I'm not sure about medical decisions; that's a good point.

[Midwest Michael]

Some hotels will not rent a room to those under 21, and many if not most places will not allow a 19 year old to rent a room to share with unrelated minors.

It might not be an issue, but it certainly could be.

[glc]

That would work - Salem to Sacramento is a full day's drive.