I found the timeline - it was this
this post in Thread #1 And here is the part I am now focused on:
From the law enforcement transcript (you have to scroll WAAAAAY down or search for the word "Buttonwillow) on this page -
Transcript - I noted in the conclusion (read paragraph in reverse):
BBM. They said he was at a hotel, which would make sense the amount of time he was there. There are a couple of $35 - $38 hotels right there at the truck stop they mention. It is possible that Bryce did not relay the hotel part back to his parents when he did finally speak with his mom at 10PM, about a half hour after the officer told him to call his parents.
But the head injury, accidental roll of the car, and his current wanderings are a separate matter. I do believe he was coming home to share new information in the big talk, and things inadvertently changed. Does Bryce have any friends that would meet him at a hotel in Buttonwillow, ie, who hail from somewhere around there? Musings...