Flying is not always practical. Medium cities often require a transfer to a major hub in the wrong direction plus have fewer options. Going the day before allows for pit stops and a relaxed pace. Good to have major cities along the way for scenery changes and places to stop. I recall doing numerous solo drives back when I was young. Having a car in good working order is a must. Cosmetic duct tape doesn’t matter, however. Youth has its advantages for stamina. I still recall missing the around Chicago route when going home for my mom’s funeral- tissue box on the seat beside me. I made it through the downtown rush hour (and saved on tolls…).
Weather will be the same factor when driving or having flight delays. I also have plenty of winter driving I would do differently now- as did son for that trip he told us. Not knowing meant no worry from us.
@anomander I agree and the distance is just part of it. The stress of the drive is another. She’s driven far distances across more rural areas. She did a six month internship on the other end of our state, and I never thought twice about that trip. But driving that distance through congested urban areas is not fun and I wouldn’t look forward to doing it myself alone. In fact, if it were H, I’d have the same concerns now that I think about it.
Oh my gosh. Absolutely NOTHING wrong with someone wanting company on a six hour drive. NOTHING. If she doesn’t want you to go then let her go on her own. But no one here should tell you not to go. You know your daughter best. I know my daughter would want the company and it would calm her nerves. She would be way more stressed going it alone and there is NOTHING wrong with that either. It’s not like you are going to the actual interview with her.
Do what works best for you and your daughter.
As a college professor, my students are always telling me that they drove with a parent to an interview for a professional school (med school, dental school, physical therapy school) or for a job interview, especially if it involves an overnight stay. The parent doesn’t go with them from the hotel to the interview location, but the parent is there for support and company on the way to and from that interview. There is nothing wrong with having a close family relationship. If one of my DD’s (who are about that same age) asked for company, I would be glad to provide that support. Some college students are more independent than others. Some drives are more stressful than others. It is a continuum. If your daughter wants the company, enjoy the ride!
I don’t see anything wrong with making the offer either. Your D may welcome the company or want the time on her own.
I did notice you said something about her phone not charging well in her car. My phone stopped charging and I got a new cord, still didn’t charge so I got a new charger piece and it still didn’t charge. I took my car to the place that maintains my car and was told that, after some point, the back of the cigarette lighter just doesn’t connect well to the charger piece. I don’t remember what I paid to replace the part in my car but know it was minimal and just took a few minutes. No problems since. If your D has made sure both the charger and the cord work, she may have the same issue I did.
We had this exact problem about two months after graduation. DH offered to go in our car kid accepted (and drove) they had a great time. DH went off shopping until he was texted to come back. They apparently got epically lost on the way home and still clearly remember the whole thing as very bonding. And he got the job, too!
Broken down by the side of the road is not an independance issue, it’s a safety issue, esp for young women. I can’t think of a better use of my money than to rent them someing reliable when they can’t afford that yet.
Honestly, I drove our S to a job interview over winter holiday his SR year if college. It was about a 30+ minute drive in an area neither of us normally drives to. I brought a book and dropped him off at the Starbucks where his interview was held and drove off to the far side of the shopping center parking lot. He was offered two different positions at two different federal agencies after the interview, so it went well.
I’d definitely offer to drive or accompany someone going for a 6 hour drive to an unfamiliar place and staying overnight. I’d also seriously consider renting a car for peace of mind.
I don’t think it’s awful that you go. I have 3 Kids and I’m not sure that any of them can drive 6 hours. Some folks dont donwekl long distances. One went to college less than 100 miles from home,one in DC so she never needed a car and one is in college now but doesn’t have a car there. My point is, none of them have driven long distances alone and a 6 hour drive is not a good test run. You can hang out somewhere while she interviews. The company doesn’t have to know how she got there sheesh.
Not long into my career I started traveling for work. I had to fly to four different cities in four days and navigate by car in congested urban areas (and this before GPS and cell phones, just with the paper map the rental car company gives out and some written directions). I managed. Your D will manage. As always it would depend on the kid but I’d strongly encourage said kid to go alone.
I find it odd that a person would be going that distance for a job interview without the prospective employer providing some sort of travel reimbursement. I’d assume that this is a final stage interview-- where there has already been a preliminary interview by phone or Skype. What kind of job or company?
@MACmiracle I don’t think it’s overprotective, I think it’s nice to offer if she wants the company on the drive. Whenever I stay in a hotel by myself I text both my H my hotel info including room #, and I put a chair under the door to give me a minute if someone is trying to break in, and I make sure that if I’m in a 1st floor room that the windows/slider is locked. I also always walk from my room to the emergency exit stairway, just so I know where it is. Sounds paranoid, but these things take under a minute to do, so why not? Finally, I always make sure I have a can of Inflate-A-Tire in the trunk as well as one of those emergency winter blanket things just in case.
You’ve given her her wings now sit back and watch her fly. We all worry, I worried for 4 years while my son attended a college 11 hours away from home. My daughters college was 3 hours away I lost sleep her first year. Gradually I began to trust the process and let go. Hug, Kiss, Prayer , See you later…
I agree with this 100%. None of us here know how safe a driver she is, or really anything about her. This would be no sweat for some kids, and a big deal for others. I think you should talk it over with her.
Some of us rarely drive >4 hrs/day if we can help it. I find long drives very tiring and think I do better when I break them into 4 hour or less chunks.
I also agree it wouldn’t hurt to inquire if there is travel reimbursement, especially if it’s a final onsite interview. S was reimbursed for done final onsite interviews.
My dd is a college freshman and quite independent. She has driven alone 5 hours to visit friends at college, and has flown alone across the country and also to Canada. I am sure she could make the drive and stay alone as a college graduate. With that said, I see nothing wrong with you going along. My dd would LOVE the company and it would break up the drive. I would LOVE to spend the time with her. It would be good to have someone to talk with and not worry about the interview for the entire ride. It is fun to explore a different city/town with someone and have someone to go out to eat with. My dd would likely take a friend but we have a great relationship and I see nothing weird about this at all.
My S and I did a similar road trip together. It was fun to spend that time together! Driving that far alone is boring and tiring, so why not make it fun? Afterwards, we explored the town and tried to visualize what life would be like there. He did end up taking that job.
You have an array of vehicles:
A. Hers with fresh duct tape
B. Yours with some auto service in the wings
C. Car rental for 2 days
D. Some friend or relative’s reliable car
My sense is many of us are partial to choice 3. I’m sure whatever choices you and your D make will work just fine. Good luck to her!