FAA Ground Stop Sends Traveler on 5-Hour U-Haul Drive

A Florida-bound traveler rented a 10-foot U-Haul in Cedar Rapids and drove five hours to South Bend after flight diversions.

Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Air Travel

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single plain box truck on a long empty road stretching toward a wide horizon, evoking an improvised journey. — After an FAA ground stop diverted his flight, Kevin McGrew rented a 10-foot U-Haul in Cedar Rapids and drove five hours overnight to reach South Bend. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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An FAA ground stop diverted Kevin McGrew's flight from Chicago to Milwaukee and then to Cedar Rapids, where rental car options were unavailable. McGrew rented the smallest available U-Haul truck and drove overnight to South Bend to meet Timothy Williams for a Notre Dame home football game.

Why it matters

The episode shows how a ground stop can strand passengers far from their intended routes and leave them to find alternative transportation on their own. It also highlights how quickly travelers can run short of rental cars in smaller airport cities during disruptions.

McGrew rented a 10-foot U-Haul truck, the smallest one available in Cedar Rapids, after rental car options there were unavailable. The drive from Cedar Rapids to South Bend took five hours, and the extraction does not say how long the FAA ground stop lasted.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. federal agency that regulates civil aviation and ordered the ground stop that diverted flights.

University of Notre Dame

A private Catholic research university in South Bend, Indiana, known for its football program and home games at Notre Dame Stadium.

The details

McGrew's flight from Chicago was diverted to Milwaukee and then to Cedar Rapids after an FAA ground stop was put into effect while he was in the air. He called the U-Haul location in Cedar Rapids, requested the smallest truck available, and drove through the night to reach South Bend. He later posted about the trip on Facebook, where Notre Dame fans offered help.

November 13, 2026: Friday the 13th flights were disrupted by the FAA ground stop.
November 14, 2026: McGrew drove the U-Haul overnight from Cedar Rapids to South Bend.
November 15, 2026: McGrew attended his first home Notre Dame football game in South Bend.

Travel Outlook

Ground stops issued by the FAA during air traffic disruptions can cascade into diversions and long ground trips for passengers far from their origin. Travelers in smaller airport cities such as Cedar Rapids may find rental car supplies limited when diversions occur.

Travelers booking connections through busy hubs should check for FAA ground stops before departure and consider backup transportation if diversions are possible. Rental car inventory in smaller airport cities can run out quickly, so reserving early or identifying alternatives such as U-Haul may help.

The takeaway

Flight diversions can turn a routine trip into a multi-state drive, so travelers should keep a backup transportation plan in mind. Booking flexibility and knowing local rental options can reduce the impact of unexpected ground stops.