<p>I was a college grad at 20. I do arrange some things for my kids, ages 17 and 18, but I’m really trying to get them to do it on their own. I don’t understand why people think 20 year olds can’t check into motels - they can if they have a credit card. I did it when I was 20. Renting a car is another thing.</p>
<p>In the town she’ll be in, I’m sure they’d have a taxi service or some way to get groceries, or she could pay a co-worker. I had an internship one year where there was a bus from town out to the factory, but after a short time I found a ride with someone (I really don’t even remember how; I think she posted a notice and I paid her the bus fare). If she didn’t go to work one day, I rode the bus. Some places also have ‘Rent a Wreck’ or other such operations. You might see if there are long term rentals through the national places, rent the car in your name, and then add her as an authorized driver. It may cost more.</p>
<p>A bicycle is a possibility. I’ll be less worried if she is in a car than on a bicycle. It would also be nice if she can get around on the weekends sightseeing.</p>
<p>Can she even rent a car as a 20 yo? I thought most major car rentals require drivers to be at least 21. And the surcharge for under 25 drivers are very high. </p>
<p>Are you serious!!! IThe first time my D stayed in a hotel by herself, she was 17. She looked younger. </p>
<p>20 is NOT too young to stay at a motel along the way. She could also check out things like airbdb to find a place to stay. I’m not suggesting she check into a truckers’ motel by herself at 3 am in the morning, but with some advance planning she should be able to find a safe place to stay. I admit that driving that distance is a different issue, but staying in a motel?</p>
<p>She might also try RentAWreck . Some of their locations will rent to you if you are over 18. Others won’t. Ask the specific location. </p>
<p>My S shipped a car one way, SF to DC. He had no problems and it arrived in perfect condition. He paid for it himself. Shipping it both directions in the space of 2 months sounds expensive. What does employer recommend, where she will be staying. Surely she’s not 1st person with this issue. </p>
<p>If the OP is willing to share the city in question, we might be able to help a bit more. As far as hotels are concerned, most hotels have a “Fact Sheet” on their websites that indicate the minimum age to check-in. Most require over 18, but some do restrict under 21.</p>
<p>I would also like to hear more about one-way car shipping. This might be necessary for us in the near future. Any feedback about the two cities (distance), costs, recommended/discouraged shipping companies and pitfalls would be appreciated.</p>
<p>One thing we encourage as to do was be sure the car was put on a flatbed and not driven across the country, where it may be damaged in an accident. We used Pasha to ship between Honolulu,and Los Angeles twice. Cars arrived in perfect condition. Don’t know what company S used for SF to Virginia or bro used to ship HNL to Houston TX. If there is interest, I can try to find out. </p>
<p>I would consider shipping the car or hiring someone to drive it. Sounds like having her drive it or renting a car could be very complicated. This may be more costly, but probably much simpler.</p>
<p>^^ HImom, that would be appreciated. I am looking for shipping info, not for someone else to drive it. D’s car has 214,000 miles on it, so I don’t think a cross-county drive is a good idea. The states in question are central AL to upstate NY (both medium sized cities), but if I can get a rough idea of what other state-to-state combinations have cost, that would be helpful.</p>
<p>It’s possible it would cost more than the car is worth (although it is a rugged little tank!).</p>
<p>Is there a Zipcar in the town where she is going to be? D signed up for it through her college and that (plus her bicycle) was her mode of transportation on her suburban Boston campus during one summer she spent there. </p>
<p>It actually makes a difference what time of the year you ship cars. Just had a group of friends ship from Florida to California, 4 cars, and I think it was about $1200/ea. They got a ‘group discount’ but also paid a premium because it was after March 15, thus in the ‘high’ season. I think when our employer paid to ship us here, (Ca to Fla) it was about $1600/car.</p>
<p>No Zipcar No RentAWreck where she is going. Shipping the car may be most economical as well as convenient. How does it arrive? On a big truck? That will be too big a show. Can be a bit embarrassing.</p>
<p>When we shipped D a car it arrived on one of those big transport trucks. Someone had to be there to meet the car. They would not just unload and leave it. </p>
<p>She can find someone at her college or on Craigslist who wants to share the driving, and they can easily do 2000 miles in three days/2 nights. As for hotels/motels/camping/etc. there’s also CouchSurfing.com. (Or, for touring cyclists, warmshowers.com.)</p>
<p>shipped car west coast to east. On transport truck. ~$1K. Driver actually picked up goskid at airport, handed over car–when goskid handed over cashiers check!</p>
<p>Brings back memories of this poor little girl we hired fresh out of college from up North. She showed up and not only had no car, but didn’t know how to drive. We took turns driving her to work and one of the guys finally taught her to drive. I remember her driving a little VW bug so proudly :-).</p>
<p>We don’t really “do” public transportation in Texas and especially not outside the city where this job was located.</p>