What age do you allow your kid to take a road trip...

With our insurance (USAA), DS is insured no matter where he drives or how many miles.

If she is on your insurance, I'd say sure. It sounds like she is ready for a road trip. If she is not and is not insured herself, I'd say no.

We homeschooled, so my son was able to start interning with his dad when he was 14. He got his learner's permit when he was 15 and from that day forward, he did all the driving when he worked with his dad. By the time he got his driver's license at 16, he was very well seasoned for driving in almost any situation - ATLANTA traffic is not for the faint of heart. For his 17th birthday, we gave him a week at an extreme skate camp in PA. He drove there, then to upper NY state to see a friend. When he was done, he drove back to GA. I didn't worry about him on the road near as much as I worried about him on skates on ramps.

DD didn't do nearly as much driving during her learning period. I worried about her just driving to the grocery store less than a mile away. Once she got her license, though, she insisted on doing all the driving when we went somewhere. By the time she left for college 200+ miles away, I knew she could handle the road. Since then, she has travelled all over the South without any fear on her part. I admit I tend to track her using The app Find My Friends, but she's okay with that.

I'd make sure Your DD had some sort of tracking program on her phone and very good directions. Help her plan the trip so she's going thru any tricky areas in daylight during the lightest traffic. Make sure she has a Bluetooth or hands free phone hookup in case you notice something on the map or traffic report and want to tell her about it without distracting her. Do you have AAA? Or some very reliable roadside assistance program? Help her think Thru the preparations, then let her fly free.

Marcy

I think 20 is plenty old enough. Just tell her if she doesn't pay attention and something totally stupid that raises the insurance rates the increase will be hers to pay until she is financially independent of you and off your insurance.

We don't really have a choice about road trips-I have a son who is the same age as your daughter. He is in school in another state about 8 hours away. If he wants to come home, he either has to take a bus, fly or drive. I have zero control over what he does while he is away and if he and his friends want to take a road trip, he goes. I figure if he is responsible enough to sign on the dotted line to join the National Guard, then I am going to have to trust that he is responsible enough to drive around the country if that is what he chooses.

The younger boy is only 17 so my control is a little tighter, I wouldn't want him driving all over just yet. But pretty soon I am not going to be able to control that either. He will also go away to school soon enough and once that happens, I will have to trust that he capable of taking a road trip of his own.

What I have to do is trust that I have taught them to be responsible citizens and that they will do the right things. Beyond that, I can't stop them...they are officially adults. That would apply to both driving their own cars and mine.

(although for the record, no one ever wants to drive my ancient beast of a truck so driving my car isn't ever an issue, even if it is to run up to Publix.)

I went to college about that distance from home. Often drove myself there and back. While it was easier with friends vs alone, when I brought friends, my rule was it didn't matter who's car we took- I was driving while in Dallas.

I'm sure my mom was panicky, because she's a mom. But life is to be lived. I'd let her go, although I'd feel better if she weren't alone.

My youngest is 20. She took a road trip from Minneapolis to Florida with 2 of her friends this summer. They drove friend's car and stayed at friend's grandparent's house while down there. Everything went fine. They had a great time.

Her older sibling had done several smaller road trip from about age 19 on....Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, St. Louis. All went fine.

Let her do it. With GPS and cell phones, unless she is totally untrustworthy, I'd let her go. Sure you are going to worry about your kids. I tell mine that once you are a mom you can't turn off mom-mode. You can give good advice, but let her spread her wings.

My son is 17 and has been making many college visits this year. I think 5 hours is about the furthest. He's experienced, careful, and covered by USAA. I have no problem with it--I trust his driving. DD drove to Montreal with friends (about 5-6 hours) when she was 17.

If she's an experienced driver, and your insurance covers her, I'd say yes. Make sure she has AAA or the equivalent.

Also make sure she knows to stop often to rest her eyes and stretch out. Get a hotel room for the night--that's a long stretch for one day.

ETA: grinningcat Haha you'd be stuck renting a car at 20-- They only rent to 25+ these days. I've used that fact on my kids before

I agree that 20 is plenty old enough to make those kind of decisions. At 20, I was in college 7 hours away from home. I used to drive it regularly by myself. I was married and completely financially independent from my parents by 22. I've been working hard to be sure my kids can handle the independence as well. DD graduates this spring and will be on her own, and she's certainly prepared for it. Wasn't easy, but worth it. It takes a lot of effort to bite my tongue sometimes and let them fail.

My daughter is the same age and I would not even blink an eye. She drives to and from Atlanta for school (about 5 hours) every Semester and all over Atlanta while in School. She is a good driver.

I was barely 19 when I took my 1st road trip 30 years ago. Michigan to Texas with an 8 month old who was teething. Two days on the road with an Atlas and all our belongings. No cell phone or GPS back then. I had good tunes on the radio though.

The Mister and I raised string independent young ladies. I worry about them, but I am also not afraid to let them do their thing when the time.comes. I would just make sure they had a plan and plenty of money.

When she's old enough to own her own car? Rent her own car?  Has her own insurance?

The actual age isn't the really issue for me.  It's the liability.  She may be covered by your policy but it's YOUR policy and any issues will be on YOUR shoulders.  It has nothing to do with babying anyone.  I'm with your husband on this one.

Signed,

As un-helicopter a mom as it gets

I think the kid and the situation are the big factors. Some would be fine at 16, others probably not at 25.

Is she going to/from school? Or to visit someone? Or is this a lets just explore the country side?

If she is ordinarily responsible and a generally good driver, then I'd probably be ok. I'd feel better (or less worried) if she was traveling with someone else, if they had phones and GPS, if they were traveling interstates or other well paved roads (not back roads or isolated) and if they had a destination. So if they didn't arrive on time someone would be looking for them.

It's hard to turn off the mom mode, but if they had a plan and were level headed it would be a lot easier to power down the rotors.

For me, the decision would be entirely based on how experienced a driver DD is. I wouldn't hesitate to let DD (18) to make that drive, but she has driven through LA several times and is a good driver.

I also like the idea of her taking one of our cars that I know are well maintained and have good navigation systems. 

Depends on the driving history. My DS is 20 and a road hazard. No way would I let him drive my car to the store much less on a road trip.

ETA: My DS is unique in his irresponsibility. My parents would've let me drive their car at 20. 

I have no problem with my twentysomething taking a roadtrip, just not in my vehicle. I barely let my DH drive my vehicle. I am just funny that way.