<ol>
<li><p>maybe</p></li>
<li><p>definitely</p></li>
<li><p>no way, no how - We live in a state where tourists taking a little nap at a rest stop have been killed. Better to check into a hotel for a couple of hours than to sleep at a rest stop. Can H and S leave a little early on the way to the tourney so they have time to check out hotels on the way into town? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Remind H that S is one-of-a-kind and priceless. Actually, remind H that he, too, is one-of-a-kind and priceless, too.</p>
<p>I think that #2 is the only sensible option. Why don’t you check Priceline? Often you can get very low rates on business hotels. You can probably find something within half an hour of the game. I don’t agree that driving for less than an hour, sleeping at least 6 hours, and then doing the rest of the trip home is the same as driving the full 4 hours.</p>
<p>Number 3 would be a no. A few years ago the police caught the DC snipers sleeping in their car at a rest stop on the interstate. And the police routinely check them for older men/teen boys who are not there just to sleep for a few hours.</p>
<p>I have done 4 hours back and forth for several college visits but they are not as exhausting as cheering for 2 basketball games. And I had slept all night before I started the trip.</p>
<p>Whatever they decide, I hope they have a great time.</p>
<p>OK I think that those with a Y chromosome have no problem with #3.(I have two XX’s myself.) Doesn’t surprise me that husband and son are OK with that. Just remind them they will be tired, a little keyed up, and VERY UNCOMFORTABLE trying to sleep in the car. Shucks. Just drive an hour, find a cheap motel, and stretch out in a bed. </p>
<p>If they drive an hour or two and are WIDE AWAKE, still pumped with adrenalin, and there are two of them–husb to drive and son to converse, I do not think it is so bad to drive. They will KNOW if they are beat and need to stop, or if they are too worked up to sleep. </p>
<p>If you can get a deal on priceline or any online site, ask if they will compromise to make you happy, and take the deal. Then get them a room.</p>
<p>DH and I have done something similar to #3, but safer. Wal-Marts are usually open 24 hours and allow motor homes, truckers, and campers to sleep in their parking lots. We have done that a time or two when cash was tight.</p>
<p>No, no, no. The other posters already chimed in on the danges associated with it, so let me just add that in some states, you can get arrested for sleeping in your car at a rest stop.</p>
<p>I slept in a camper van all sorts of places the year I was 28. My problem is I can’t sleep without lying down completely so as far as I’m concerned #3 is useless, but I wouldn’t actually be worried about anyone breaking into the car, just about the quality of the rest. If I was well rested I might drive through the night, but I’d prefer option 2.</p>
<p>I remember that Michael Jordan’s father was killed at a rest stop while taking a nap. Doesn’t sound like a good plan at all at that time of night.</p>
<h1>3 - NO NO NO! (I thought about Michael Jordan’s dad, too.)</h1>
<p>1 or 2 both work. Honestly, if they will both be very excited and keyed up after the games, they probably won’t have trouble staying awake for a few hours, especially with coffee. But if your DH is like mine and has a tendency to get drowsy when it’s dark out, definitely go for #1.</p>
<p>Definitely #2. Last year husband and son drove 3 hours to see Wilco in a late night show. I insisted that they get a room to sleep, they agreed but made it clear they were only doing it to humor me. They still made it home by school the next morning. H said he would have been fine, but son fell asleep in the car in the fifeteen minutes it took to get to the hotel. Son said dad was asleep before he got out of the bathroom.</p>
<p>It depends somewhat on your sleep cycle. I have always preferred driving late into the night unless I’m terribly sleepy and if I have others in the car than getting up early to drive somewhere–but I’m a night owl.</p>
<p>I would vote for #2 before #3, but if he insists on #2, I would vote for a more populated place (all night restaurant/truck stop), NOT a rest area. If there are crazies out there, that would be where they would be most likely to hang out. On the other hand, some rest areas are completely populated with truckers all night, so would probably be safe, too. A couple of guys could get away with it.</p>
<p>Well, he doesn’t drink coffee (I guess he could drink Coke) so that’s out.</p>
<p>I’m not going with them so I won’t be keeping him awake!</p>
<p>And BTW, the game is Friday evening so son is only going to miss one class at school Friday afternoon - we’re not fans of getting out of school for events.</p>
<p>Michigan State is H’s alma mater and son is a big fan as well, so I am thrilled they have the opportunity to go!</p>
<p>H did agree to take phone numbers of hotels - in fact, he called me and said he found one pretty cheap right off I-69 that will even give them a “complimentary breakfast” in the morning before they take off. Men may be “crazy” but these men of mine will listen to “free food”. :)</p>
<p>Sometimes H (in these situations of spontaneity) thinks he’s still that wild and crazy college student of 30 years ago when I"m sure he did spend an hour or two at a rest stop catching a quick nap. </p>
<p>Happily, I think I convinced him that they can crash around 1am, sleep till 8 or 9am and still be home by noon - and in much better shape.</p>
<p>S is totally excited about going!!! GO STATE!!!</p>
<p>Any good kitchen utensil would go with the boys, drop you off at selected motel of your choice. Kiss them a goodbye for 6 hours and tell them you’ll have dinner ready for them. In the 6 hours, you get some needed rest time, and valuable time at Sinner’s Ally.</p>
<p>Hope your son and husband have a fabulous time! I think it is great they are setting out on this adventure - your son will remember it for a lifetime. I just wish they were going to cheer for KU. I’m with you The Mom - ROCK CHALK!!</p>
<p>Branching out from your situation: when DD2 wanted to speed up a college visit schedule and it meant driving late at night, my requirement was playing my choice of CDs (Broadway tunes and 60’s hits) and singing along. If I have to drive over mountain passes at midnight, she had better be keeping me awake! </p>
<p>Not sure I see most dad’s getting into “This Land is Your Land…”</p>