My son and I did that but for different reasons. He was 12, I was about 40. We traveled in a Chevy Nova station wagon and slept in the back on a regular mattress. Camped a couple nights, then motel one night. We were gone 7 weeks, New Hampshire to Newport Oregon, down the coast route to Petaluma. Camped at KOA, took bus to SF zoo, visited friend. Then east heading home, across Nevada, Utah, Colorado. Went over the Rockies, down into Boulder, to Missouri, visited friends for a few days, north back to NH.
Saw old Faithful, Pompey’s pillar, Custer’s last stand, rt 212 in Wyoming, Jackson Hole,

It was great, never regretted it. Also we didn’t plan it out too much just drove west and if we saw something in the atlas we might go to it. Billings mt was great Yellowstone, gosh it was fun.

Camping at KOA was pretty cheap then and we met a lot of nice folks. If I were to do it today it might be a little harder because van or station wagon camping is a little less popular now. I think KOA really likes the big RV’s.

Just noticed you have a “rig” so I guess you will be all set there. You can get the KOA pass, saves a little and their book giving all their locations. Also there are some money saving passes to the National Parks and they are all great. Been to many of them since.

Have him write a postcard to his daughter every day. I did this with my folks and it ended up as the neatest little trip diary u ever saw.

I remember my mother saying to do all kinds of planning so we wouldn’t get lost. I said, “but Mum we are not going to worry where we are, so we can’t be lost”. That was our attitude, just drive west and when u hit the Pacific, turn left…lol

I hope you have a blast and that your son’s problems will be helped. The only thing I heard that might sink your plan is that when a person returns to where he had trouble bad behavior, that enviroment is apt to trigger the bad behavior again. Supposedly law enforcement sees this when guys get out of prison, the bad behavior returns when they get back to the old neighborhood so to speak. (read that a long time ago)

Always keep a smile and friendly attitude. I know a couple times I got apprehensive and then people regarded me a little differently. We had no trouble with anyone we met. I remember we ran out of gas in Montana and a big burly trucker pulled over and drove us to the gas station. He was friendly and cracked us up.