A road trip is a great adventure and a very easy way to take a vacation. What is the best age to go on a road trip?
As long as you have a valid driver’s license you can go on a road trip, this is between the ages of 16 and 18. Most states have laws that prohibit drivers under 18 from driving after 11 or midnight. Be sure to plan ahead for lodging and arrive before any state imposed curfews. Some states also have passenger limitations for younger drivers.
When you are planning a road trip, research any state laws that apply to young drivers in any states in which you will be traveling.
I am no longer a young driver, so I thought I would ask my twin brothers what it was like when they took a road trip as young drivers.
Be sure to check out my guide here on driving curfews for 16 and 17 year olds. I have listed the laws state by state. Understand that some cities have their own curfew laws, so always check before you visit.
My brother and his good friend took a big road trip as minors and while they had a great time, they will both say they almost died.
They failed to plan ahead, they were targeted as young travelers and it was a wild adventure.
Can a teenager take a road trip with a friend?
Driving alone can be pretty boring. If you are under 18, and you want to take a trip with a friend, be sure to check the state laws.
Most states allow a young driver to transport family members, but have limits on how many passengers a driver may transport that are unrelated and under 18.
Be sure to research the cities you will be visiting, because the restrictions can vary. This chart is a good starting place to see what state laws exist.
| State | Passenger Laws |
| Alabama | Only 1 passenger under 18 |
| Alaska | No passengers under 21, unless they are siblings until you turn 18 |
| Arizona | Only 1 passenger under 18 |
| Arkansas | No more than 1 passenger under 21 |
| California | No passengers under 20 years old |
| Colorado | No passengers under 21 who are not immediate family for the first 6 months of driving, no more than 2 passengers under 21 for the first year. |
| Connecticut | First 6 months only licensed driver over 20 and immediate family |
| Delaware | No passengers, licensed driver over 25 in passenger seat only. Family members are allowed if a licensed driver is present. These restrictions apply for the first year. |
| Florida | Unclear |
| Georgia | No passengers under 18 for first 6 months, no more than 1 passenger for the next 6 months |
| Hawaii | No more than 1 passenger under 18 unless accompanied by a licensed driver. |
| Idaho | No more than 1 passenger under 17 for the first 6 months. No passengers in the front seat when you are under 17. |
| Illinois | Limited to 1 passenger under 20, until the driver turns 18, except family members |
| Indiana | No passengers unless there is a licenced driver over 25 in the passenger seat for the first 6 months. |
| Iowa | One passenger for first 6 months. No more passengers than the number of seatbelts in your vehicle thereafter. |
| Kansas | Only one passenger for the first 6 months, no restrictions after that. |
| Kentucky | Only one unrelated passenger under 20 |
| Louisiana | No more than 1 passenger under 18 unless supervised by a licensed adult. |
| Maine | No passengers for first six months |
| Maryland | No passengers unless accompanied by a licenced adult. |
| Massachusetts | No passengers for the first 6 months unless accompanied by a licenced driver in the passenger seat. |
| Michigan | No passengers unless they are family, you are accompanied by a licensed driver in the passenger seat or you are on an approved work or school activity. |
| Minnesota | Only 1 passenger under 20 for the first 6 months, then no more than 3 for the next 6 months. |
| Mississippi | No passengers until you are 17 |
| Missouri | One passenger under 21 for first 6 months. No more than 3 passengers until 21 |
| Montana | First 6 months no more than 1 passenger, then no more than 3 passengers for the next 6 months. |
| Nebraska | Only 1 passenger under 19 for the first 6 months |
| Nevada | No one under 18 for the first six months. |
| New Hampshire | No more than 1 passenger unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 25 for the first 6 months. No more passengers than seatbelts. |
| New Jersey | No more than 1 passenger until the driver is 21, unless the passengers are the driver’s dependants (children) |
| New Mexico | No more than 1 passenger under 21 unless immediate family member untilt the driver is under 21 |
| New York | Under 18, no more than 1 passenger under the age of 21 |
| North Carolina | 16 and 17 year old drivers may have no more than 1 passenger under 21 |
| North Dakota | I was not able to find any passenger limitations for young drivers in North Dakota. Drivers are limited to the number of seats in the car. |
| Ohio | No more than 1 passenger who is not immediate family |
| Oklahoma | Under 18, no more than 1 passenger, unless they live in your home. |
| Oregon | No more than 3 passengers under 21 |
| Pennsylvania | First 6 months, no more than 1 passenger under 18. After the first 6 months no more than 3 passengers |
| Rhode Island | No more than 1 passenger under 18 for the first year of licence holding |
| South Carolina | No more than 2 passengers under 21 unless they are immediate family |
| South Dakota | No passengers for the first 6 months, then no more than 1 until you have your full operator’s license |
| Tennessee | No more than 1 passenger unless there is a licensed driver over 21 in the car. Seat belts mandatory under 18. |
| Texas | No more than 1 passenger under 21 excluding family members |
| Utah | No passengers except immediate family for first 6 months |
| Vermont | No restrictions after the first 6 months of driving |
| Virginia | Drivers under 18 may only transport 1 passenger for the first year, then 3 until you are 18. Family members do not count. |
| Washington | No passengers for the first 6 months, after that no more than 3 passengers under 20 |
| West Virginia | No passengers for the first 6 months, no more than 1 passenger for the next 6 months. |
| Wisconsin | No more than 1 passenger until the driver is 19 years old |
| Wyoming | No more than 1 passenger |
Can minors go on a road trip?
Minors can have a great road trip if they plan ahead. Minors should consider curfew and passenger laws as well as age restricted things like car rentals and hotel rentals. Minors should also have a roadside assistance plan and be sure to know the insurance information.
All states have a required curfew for minors. Be sure that when you are visiting a new city or a new state you are aware of the laws concerning minors. Have a place to stay and get there before 9pm. State curfews vary widely and they can be different city to city.
Breaking curfew can be serious on a road trip, because if you are stopped, you will not be allowed to drive away after being stopped.
Minors should be sure to be familiar with curfew and passenger laws. You can learn more about state driving curfews in this article, there is a great table that lists the laws state by state.
The other obstacle can be renting hotel rooms. Many hotels require credit or debit cards to be filed, and may have age restrictions that prohibit renting rooms to anyone under 21! Some hotels will work with customers as young as 16, so there are places out there, you just need to call ahead. Plan ahead and be sure to have a plan for where to stay.
Be sure to have a roadside assistance plan.
This might be a AAA membership, a great mechanic friend, or the number for the local police. Know what you will do if you experience a roadside emergency. A flat tire, an engine failure, overheating, or windshield issue.
When considering safety, think about what you will do if you are approached by someone with some bad intentions.
Pepper spray and a cell phone are great steps to safety, stopping only in well lit areas and sharing your location with trusted friends and adults are other great steps.
Remember that it is illegal for minors to travel knowingly or unknowingly with a firearm.
Can minors rent a hotel room?
Many hotels will not rent to people under 18. The major chains, Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, and even Red Roof all require that the renter be at least 18 years old.
Minors should consider planning trips to visit friends and family so that they have a safe place to stay for the night on their road trips.
When my brother and his friend went on their road trip they stayed in the car. It was so cold my brother says he almost died. I am inclined to believe that he was just really cold, but I guess I can’t be sure.
There are very few options for a minor on the road, making them vulnerable targets for price gouging or worse.
Be sure to find a secure place to spend the night when traveling out of state unaccompanied.
Can minors drive at night?
Every state has curfew laws for minors. There are laws regarding when a minor can be in public places as well as when a minor can legally drive.
If you are pulled over for driving after curfew, you will not be able to simply go home. You will have to leave your vehicle where you were stopped unless someone older than 18 (or 21, depending on the city) can come drive you to your destination.
Some states lift the curfew earlier than others. Be sure to check out this post that has a chart with curfew times for minors in every state.
Some states extend the curfew to those under 21, so if you are young, you may be pulled over and ID’ed to check your age.
Tips and Tricks for Young Road Trippers
Minors planning a road trip should PLAN CAREFULLY! I love road trips and if you have agreed with your parents that you are ready to embark on an adventure, lay out your plan.
I have a great free printable road trip planner in this post, I recommend you print it out and fill in all the details so you are prepared.
Here are a few extra tips to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.
Bring Plenty of Water and Snacks
Pack up the snacks and grab a case of water!
This will save you time, money and stress. It is great to have everything you need without having to stop.
It is common for people to experience dehydration on a road trip, the heat in a car can be very drying, and you are less likely to drink water when you are sitting all day.
While drinking too much water can make bathroom breaks more frequent, aim for a happy medium.
Know the Insurance Number
Be sure you know where all the insurance information is, and know who you need to call if you end up in a collision.
Talk this through with the policy holder and be sure to lay eyes on the car before setting off.
Know the Roadside Assistance Number
I recommend a roadside assistance program. You may have limited roadside assistance through your regular car insurance.
Call the insurance company to clarify if you are not sure.
Make sure you know the exact number to call if you need help with a dead battery or a flat tire.
If you choose to take a road trip as a minor, be prepared and be safe. Talk to a trusted adult about your route plans and the trip goal.
You don’t want to end up like Corey and Eric contemplating life at the world’s largest ball of string.
