Road Trip Across America!

[bgator12]

This summer my three friends and I are planning on taking a two week road trip across America! We live in Ohio so we are going to start there and then work our way to the Pacific Coast. We have most of the details about our trip worked out but we don't know where we are going to stay. We are currently all 19 years old and every motel I have looked at requires you to be at 21 years old. Do you know of any cheap hotel or motel chains that will let 19 year olds book a room? Also if you have any suggestions for our trip such as places to see don't be afraid to tell me because we are looking for some more interesting things to do as well! Thanks for your help!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

In less than a minute I had logged on to Motel 6's website and found their reservation policy which clearly states that they will rent to anyone 18 or older. I would suggest that you do the same for both a number of inexpensive (Motel 6, Red Roof Inn, Super 8, Econo Lodge, etc.) motels and medium priced (Days Inn, Comfort Inn. Holiday Inn, etc.) and then armed with that knowledge contact the particular motel you plan to stay at.

Unfortunately there's no way anyone can suggest anything to see without knowing your route, presumably one of the details you've worked out. Also note that 2 weeks is really about the minimal amount of time needed for a round trip cross country RoadTrip, but should still leave you time for a pretty good ride.

AZBuck

[glc]

In less than a minute I had logged on to Motel 6's website and found their reservation policy which clearly states that they will rent to anyone 18 or older.

Not completely true, Buck.

All guests registering must be 18 years of age (19-21 years of age required at some locations)

Example: Aurora, IL

Check-in age is 21 years or older

[bgator12]

Yea that's what I was thinking too. As for the route we're going to start in Cincinatti and and then go through Oklahoma City to Las Vegas and then out to San Francisco. From there we plan on going to Yellowstone and then Chicago and then back to Ohio.

Thanks for all the help!

[Dominic Longo]

Good luck trying to find hotels. This could be very tough. I had that problem trying to go to Ocean City, NJ when I was 18 a few years back. Is camping an option for you?

[bgator12]

Yea it is and we were planning on doing it a few nights but we also wanted to stay in a hotel several nights well just so we could have a bed. Do you think there is any chance they might budge or lower their requirements?

[Dominic Longo]

Generally those age restrictions are a company wide corporate thing. I highly doubt they will budge. If the hotel is not a chain you might be able to get one that will give you a room if you are 18 with a major credit card. Check out hotels.com and websites similar to it will give you a list of hotels.

What does your map look like? If you know where you will be stopping each night then you can book early and know when you will have a bed and when you will be camping.

[glc]

Generally those age restrictions are a company wide corporate thing.

Generally, no. It's up to the individual property, as most chain hotels are actually individually owned franchises (Motel 6 is an exception, most of those are company-operated). However, regardless of age, it's very difficult getting a room without a credit or logo (Visa, Master Card) debit card. The only thing they won't budge on is 18 or older due to state laws.

For Motel 6, you can look up each property's policy on their website. I can't find anything referencing age on the Super 8 site.

[LaurenLo]

Hey i'm getting ready to take a road trip from MO to California to move my entire life and I think motels are great and all but if you are a young group driving across you should check out the site couch surfers. It's amazing online community, free and you will be staying with people for free. It's really safe especially if you are a group of guys on a budget. I did it all up and down the California coast and have housed tons of people. Check it out.

Lauren