To think DD can't drive to Wales yet (18 and passed her test last month)?

[HaHaItsRosa]

We live in London. DD, has randomly booked this little cabin thing in Wales!? It's for tomorrow. Plans on leaving tonight and staying in a Travelodge or similar and then arriving tomorrow. This is her first ever trip away on her own... she also only drives to work. She starts uni extremely soon and "wanted a peaceful getaway before it starts". I'm a bit hmm. I know she's 18 and she can go on her own and she's obviously no longer my daughter so I shouldn't worry about her no but seriously, I'm really worried. She's a sensible girl, she really is, but Wales!!!! Tell me I'm too involved and she'll be fine.

How do all the posters who ate saying she,ll be fine know this?

Can you all predict the future, do you have special powers?

She may be fine, she may not,no one knows, only in the bizarre MN universe would a parent not be worried about an inexperienced driver undertaking a long motorway journey when they've never been on a motorway before, smh

You've had some unnecessary stick OP. I think you've raised a daughter with a bit of ooomph and should congratulate yourself.

Completely agree with @Waterrat. In spades.

It’s just your comments seem to suggest you think it’s some distant ‘here be dragons’ place

To be fair, there are dragons.

It's an easy drive. At night there will be more road freight on the motorway, but less cars. The lorries will be in the left hand lane, unless overtaking, which is what she should do too.
Once off the M4, Heads of the Valleys is a pleasant road, that goes through some smaller towns, with lots of speed bumps, so nice and slow for the most part.
If she sees the word "araf" painted on the road, she should slow down as there will be tight bends. Most towns and villages have count down markers to the 30 mph zone, so she will get plenty of warning, unlike England when the sign just appears

@PlatypusPie thank you for cheering me up this afternoon!

TBH, I'd be somewhat concerned too.

I drove to Cornwall from just south of Manchester about a month after I passed my test - many years ago, so probably less traffic, but I drove on motorways, and windy roads, and sometimes in the dark. I never gave it a second thought. My poor mum.... Maybe your daughter could have a lesson on motorway driving?

She thinks she can do it, that's the main thing and really good that she is so confident! She'll be fine.

She's totally meeting some lad.

I'd take her on the motorway yourself for a hour first. It's a completely different way of driving - constantly checking behind and to the side of you - which is not something she'll be familiar with. Once that's out of the way, good luck to her! It sounds idyllic. I'd like some solitude in the Welsh wilds with just a hot tub and my books for company.

OP, I think you should go with her.

if she like drawing and beautiful scenery get her to go the long way round through the hills.oh its the most wonderful sight.main roads on way to wales are fine though.one of the nicest of drives.but can be bloody shocking taffic so get her to plan timing accordingly.steer well well clear of busy times.
oh and most importantly is to stop at the mcdonals services that have been our go to stopping points along the way.
its ok to worry.your her mum.if she really is doing it and feels ok it now time to fill her with the same confidence that she feels you got her back.dont fill her with ur own doubts if she doesn't have them.but just make sure she is knwing and can and will be careful and sensible.

Three days after I passed my test I did a 120 Mike journey on the M4, M25 and A1M, it was fine. I wouldn't drive in London if you paid me. Terrifying.

I would advice doing a main road practice first.if she hasn't done it before!its totally different and verging in at busy and non busy times can suddenly be terrifying

I sympathise as I 've been through this twice - completely nerve-wracking. Both student DC now happily whizz all over the country by motorway.
Just make sure she knows what to do it something goes wrong e.g. what the car may feel like, how to get to a safe place to stop, getting out quickly and safely to get behind the barrier etc. Fairly inexperienced Dd has a blow out on the M5 and I was relieved and proud that she remembered all the things we had discussed and was soon on her way thanks to the AA. Really worrying as a parent but reassuring that she coped.
Make sure she knows to tell the AA she is on her own as they will give her priority, and if possible, have her on find my friends so you know exactly where she is if she breaks down etc. That was very helpful and the AA man also used WhatsApp to locate her.
Definitely not being odd or overprotective, just a caring parent who knows it takes time to build up road sense. After this, her skills and confidence will be massively improved. Good luck!

I'd take her for a practice run first.

Good for her!!!

I love independent girls/women who can eat by themselves and go on holiday by themselves...

I always go to pubs alone to eat (im not single but i appreciate peace and quiet!!!)

I wanted to book a lodge in a few weeks when im off work (alone), but its so expensive - only reason i havent else i would be the same as your daughter!!

good on her :)

p.s im also an only child - genuine thing being independent - dont knock it :)

Are'nt motorways actually the safe bit of the trip?

I think she needs to go with someone on a motorway for an hour first.

Agree with pp, how does anyone on here know she will be fine?

My daughter drove over 200 miles to get home for Christmas three weeks after passing her test. She was nervous but drove sensibly - lots of breaks and reliance on her sat nav and arrived home relaxed and ready for the holiday.

A few days later we went out in two cars to visit a place that she had been to on a regular basis since she was a baby. And, even though she had a car full of siblings, who all knew where we were going, she got hopelessly lost!

Hope she has a lovely time!

I drove to Wales from Cheshire a month or so after passing my test. I hadn't had motorway lessons and it was fine.

Cheshire borders Wales so I’m sure it was.
I don’t believe Essex does?

She's passed her test. She can legally drive. She's an adult. Also being afraid of wales when you live in the knife crime capital of the uk is a little silly. She will be fine .

It’s a long journey in the dark and some parts of the motorway are unlit.