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Old 12-01-2016, 08:09 PM   #1
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Truck Stops or Rest Areas or Nothing??

Greetings, folks.... Wife and I are planning a cross country trip (Sacramento to NY) principally - due to weather concerns - along Interstate 10 (and 8) mostly before heading north. Along the way, we're thinking we'll need to break up an otherwise long drive with overnight stops at either a truck stop (Flying J, or Pilot or similar) or at an Interstate rest stop. Of course, these would be without power, water, and sewer connects, but the logic is that at least we'll be near some services and likely safe.

Any experiences to share? Any thoughts? Are we nuts?

C&N
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:20 PM   #2
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I did Boston to Las Vegas and back, in June and August. Flying J, Pilot and Cracker Barrel worked great for me. I don't know about this time of year, but the truck stops can fill up quickly, so if you plan to stop late be sure to have a good window of stops to choose from, in case the first ones are full.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:27 PM   #3
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We've been doing cross-country for 50 years. Things have changed, I wouldn't stop over night at rest areas any more; any desperate character can pull or walk in and there is no security. And some truckers see this as "their" space, so be prepared for a big diesel running next to your bedroom window all night.

Wal-Mart has been good for us in good neighborhoods; most of them near the coasts no longer allow overnight, central states much better. Truck stops are okay if their is space for campers. Small towns sometimes have parks that allow overnight camping, not so much on the interstates. Just don't park alone near the interstate, look for decent company.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:28 PM   #4
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Never having used Pilot or Flying J or similar, I'm understanding you to say that there are designated spaces?? Need one pay for the use of the space?? How does one get a space??
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:33 PM   #5
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Welcome. It sounds like you are planning on making this trip in a big hurry. Might I suggest that you slow down a bit?

Camping overnight in places other than campgrounds CAN BE a bit of trouble. Many States forbid camping in rest areas. Others allow it at some, but not all. Staying at Flying J, Cracker Barrel, Wal-Mart, etc. can be a mixed bag. Some cities forbid it, while others have no problem with it. Flying J can be noisy in some places, and fairly quiet in others, where it is allowed.

We generally try to keep travel days to no more than two consecutive days and then a day off, and 200-250 miles per day. We have dropped the rest day a couple of times, but 250 miles is about as far as I want to drive in one day just because I get tired of sitting that long.

If your reason for choosing those places is to save money, consider some of the discount programs. For example, Passport America costs $40/year (I think that's the price) and you get 50% off for at least one night at many PA parks. If you are over 62 the Senior Pass (aka Geezer Pass) costs $10 for a lifetime and gets you 50% off of entry fees and camping fees at most Federal parks, including Corps of Engineers parks. Many county fairgrounds offer camping at very reasonable rates, often including full hookups.

If we're completely on our own (no particular time to be any particular place) we'll often have a general idea of how far we're going (250 miles max) and then find someplace short of that. Jo Ann does that while I'm driving. If we have to be somewhere on a specific date we plan the route and make reservations in advance.

To answer a question above, most of those places do not charge, but common practice is to first ask if it is okay to stay the night, and if so, where to park, then buy something there. For example, if you spend the night at Cracker Barrel you might want to have a meal there. If you are at Wal-Mart you can get groceries. Remember that there are usually no hookups there and except for the truckstops no generators.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:33 PM   #6
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No designated spaces I know of, usually there is parking near the restaurant if they have one, and probably best if you use it for breakfast. Be kind, treat them fairly, ask permission, they will help you.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:34 PM   #7
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We don't use these places to save money, they are convenient and save time if you want to get somewhere.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:40 PM   #8
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Always a level of discomfort when I'm in one of these places, if other RV's are overnighting it reduces that. Always park with your door side facing others not hidden from view & under a light if possible. Some Flying J's have RV parking near the fuel docks, noisy but safe.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:43 PM   #9
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Well, I'm not in any rush...Our trip isn't until late February. We're planning presently.

As indicated by another friendly person here, I'm not doing it to say money; I'm just looking for a place to sleep for the eve. Currently, we are KOA peeps, so our travels are being worked around where those places are. I appreciate the other Organization referenced in a response to my question.

I like the idea of traveling a couple of days and taking a couple of days to cool the jets.....In fact, our trip planning has provided for such a concept.

Still, we were thinking that this sort of "dry camping" at a Pilot or similar (or a rest area, if allowed) was an option.

I really appreciate and thank everyone for sharing their experiences and thoughts. I entirely embrace the idea of adding to the shared pool of knowledge. Thankfully, I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

C&N and Yogi.....
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:44 PM   #10
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Are you a member of the WBCCI? If so, consider courtesy parking (I think some non-members here in the Forums also offer courtesy parking).
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:48 PM   #11
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I've have tried them all

I have stayed at truck stops, rest areas, Walmarts, campgrounds and even invented a few places to overnight while on the road. I have concluded that the best solution is to do a bit of planning and stay at a campground. They are safer, usually quiet and you generally have the option of hook ups.
Most accommodate late arrivals too.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a safe and memorable trip.
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Old 12-01-2016, 09:32 PM   #12
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When traveling a couple of days between destinations I have used Walmarts and rest areas for overnight stops. I've looked at a couple of truck stops, but they are very noisy and usually full of truckers that come and go all hours of the night. Don't get much rest!

If I drive till dark (easy to do in fall & winter) I don't want the hassle of finding a good spot in a campground unless it's one I've been to before and has a pull thru.

Never had any trouble at rest areas and a few like I-84 in CT & the Ohio turnpike have RV parking with dump stations. At my last stop in CT we parked next to another RV and they came over to ask if we were staying the night. We were and they were glad to have company.
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:44 PM   #13
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When parking at Walmart we stay way from the overnight entrance and group of cars, park right under one of the big lights, and so one of their security camera is aimed towards our entrance.

Some may not like the bright lights of these parking lots, thieves and troublemakers don't like them either. It's an easy pull-in and out in the morning, we sleep well there.
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:50 PM   #14
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Pick up a Passport America membership at Camping World. Some of the PAs are really great. Some are a bit dowdy. At half price, they are a good alternative to a rest area. Plan your trip from one to another. Fill in with KOAs. Use their water/electric sites when the FHU is over priced. Takes only a few minutes to dump as you leave.

Rest areas can work. Even the ones that do not allow camping are there to allow folks to rest. The stop may have a 6 hour maximum, but that is enough time to sleep a bit and it is unlikely that an officer is going to send you on your way at the stroke of the hour.

The problem with truck stops and rest areas is that they fill up with trucks. The over the road folks need a place to rest. Do your best to leave it for them. If you stop at a rest stop, pull over to the car side of the lot. Park under a light and a bit away from the restrooms. That will keep you out of the car traffic a bit. Another approach is to stay a few hours and then move on down the road to the nearest Cracker Barrel where you can catch a few more winks before having breakfast.

We have transitioned to using campgrounds after trying the other options. We continued driving to extend our daily distance. Several times we let our enthusiasm push us down the road. It does take a toll. Be careful. Pat
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Old 12-02-2016, 03:56 AM   #15
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You can also park overnight at casinos which are usually right off the interstate or highway.
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Old 12-02-2016, 04:26 AM   #16
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We use campgrounds. Our reasoning is pretty simple and straightforward.

Safety-We are self protected, BUT, never want to resort to our own devices, therefore, we avoid places and situations that increase the probability of something happening.
Interference - By this we mean truckers are working, they need to pull over and rest in rest areas, walmarts etc and don't need a bunch of RVs taking up their much needed and now federally mandated places to rest.
Economy - Most campgrounds we use, even KOAs are privately owned, individuals and or families put their own money and work into opening and keeping these businesses open so we in our very small way try to support their efforts.

Have a safe trip, that time of year watch the weather as I am sure you know.

Bud
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Old 12-02-2016, 11:41 AM   #17
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Czar
You're getting excellent advice here. On the other hand, I have spent a lifetime sleeping in interstate rest areas and Flying Js/Loves etc. No costs there, and I've never been worried (a gun helps me sleep). On the other hand, your instincts will tell you that you should not have stopped at some areas...so you simply move on. Maybe I've just been lucky/blessed (but who isn't owning an AS?), but to me...during cross-country trips tryoing to get to the other shore, rest areas (interstate ones only!) and gas stations have proven to be safe and readily available options. Safe travels. jon
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Old 12-02-2016, 12:01 PM   #18
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I agree with just finding a campground along your route, even if just to sleep. Safe, quiet, and it is so much more pleasant when you wake up in a peaceful surrounding rather than a parking lot, even if for only half an hour before getting back on the road.

Download one of the campground apps (we camp here, RV Parks, etc.) to a mobile device and use that to find parks along your route. They are shown on a map, and the type of park is shown (national, state, county, COE, private, national forest, etc.), Tap the park icon, and it will take you to their website for details and contact info. In the map view you can find ones a short distance from the interstate.

Even if we are coming in at night and leaving at first light, it just makes the trip so much more pleasant than the noisy parking lot gigs. And in February there should be no issue with availability, even on a moment's notice.
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Old 12-02-2016, 12:04 PM   #19
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None of the above.
They tend to be noisy with doors closing and engines idling.
Also, they tend to be smelly with exhaust fumes.
Walmart or Cracker Barrel are only slightly better.
Any place that has traffic might be annoying with car headlights beaming in your windows at all hours of the night and early morning.
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Old 12-02-2016, 12:07 PM   #20
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If we were making that sort of trip I'd want to enjoy some of the places I went through for at least a bit! I'd go the public campground route ... state parks, city parks, county parks, BLM parking, etc... If you research and plan you can have a pleasant stay each night.

WalMarts, Flying Js and Cracker Barrels are doable, but do not offer much in the "enjoy the trip" part. We have stayed in a WalMart only once and were were so grateful to find it...we had a tire issue on the road and by the time we got that resolved we were WAY behind with our travel schedule and had to be at point B at a given time...and we were exhausted from the day. We asked permission from the management ... they said "no prob ... stay anywhere you'd like", parked under a parking lot light, didn't unhitch even, and had a good night's sleep ... and no problems. We were up and out early and managed to make up the time lost. Remember, the the trip can BE the destination, and can be enjoyed as much as your actual end destination!
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