I am traveling by Greyhound bus to Cincinnati and need advice on two different itinerary decisions. My primary concern is physical safety. Sleep and comfort are lower priorities. 

Please give me your recommendation.

Situation 1: The Outbound Trip (Louisville station from 2AM to 7AM vs. 3 AM Cincinnati Arrival)

Option A (Current Ticket): Includes a 5-hour overnight layover in Louisville, KY from 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM. The bus then arrives in downtown Cincinnati at 9:00 AM. My housing check-in is not until 5:00 PM (an 8-hour daytime wait).

My proposed plan: Take a round-trip Uber during the 2 AM – 7 AM Louisville layover to a 24/7 Burger Boy Diner to wait safely indoors, which may cost about $40 total for food and rides. Then, arrive in Cincinnati at 9 AM.

Option B: Costs an extra $50 to change. It eliminates the overnight layover but arrives in Cincinnati at 3:00 AM (creating a 14-hour gap until my 5:00 PM check-in). I'd have to take an Uber or another bus to reach downtown Cincinnati.

Is it worth paying the extra $50 to switch to Option B to avoid the night transit? 

Situation 2: The Return Trip (St. Louis vs. Atlanta Layover)

Switching between these two options costs $0 extra. Both involve Greyhound stations late at night.

Option A: A 2-hour layover in St. Louis, MO from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

Option B: A 45-minute layover in Atlanta, GA at midnight (12:00 AM).

I'm a solo college student traveling for a summer program. I'll have one hand carry luggage and a backpack.