The drive across country has to mean something quite significant IMO. My guess a love interest there has his attention and likely where he will be found. If he is in that "nerd" class of people, they often will be ones that go overboard when someone catches their attention and would explain why he has, more or less, left his life behind.
It sounds as if (just guessing) that the family knows this information about what's going on in Alabama, and is holding out to see what comes of it.
that being said it can never hurt to hear from someone close when/if things are bumpy, so I wouldn;t hesitate to make the drive to try and find him...and in the course of doing so you may find out more information on him from whomever you do discover there. Dont be afraid to ask neighbors etc about recent behaviour/sightings as it may clear up some of the missing elements in your question.
Good luck though and hope all ends well.
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