Dear Abby: My elderly dad is planning an epic road trip. How is this not a colossally bad idea?

The Dear Abby column tackles a concern about an 82-year-old father planning an “epic” solo road trip of roughly 2,000 miles to visit his sister across the country. The writer says he typically makes shorter drives of two to three hours and believes that, by taking his time, he can complete the journey in many short stretches over a few days. She counters that he is underestimating the fatigue after long days behind the wheel and the added effort required to navigate unfamiliar places. After she suggests alternatives, including paying for a plane ticket, he rejects airport navigation and the idea of driving an unfamiliar rental car. Dear Abby responds that the plan is ultimately his decision, but advises providing input through route planning, hotel or motel reservations, and a promise to call every evening during check-ins.