Rest Areas

[hipchem1]

What do you think about parking overnight in rest areas?

 

[sheridany]

Personally I wouldn’t do it. I had a friend who did it once that resulted in him having to get ready with his 9mm to shoot the crackhead trying to break in. I don’t want to generalize too much but others have said not a great idea but people do it. You are better off getting a harvest host membership in my opinion.

 

[hipchem1]

I'm thinking a Flying J Travel Center. Thanks

 

[sheridany]

That’s a different story but I would not park where the trucks park as those drivers have driving restrictions in hours. Some pilot flying j’s have separate rv parking or they have big general parking areas. That’s fine. I would check and make sure it’s allowed as sometimes local ordinance don’t allow it.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Remember that truck stops are there primarily to provide layover opportunities for truck drivers. The law requires them to take a rest break after a certain number of hours on the road. Many of the truck stops I’m familiar with are heavily used by truckers for their mandated breaks and RVs taking up this essential resource are not always appreciated. If you find one with a lot of free spaces, you might be OK, but don’t be surprised to find that the spaces fill up significantly throughout the night. And, parking next to a truck with a refrigerated trailer can keep you from getting much sleep; they are fairly noisy.

And, I second the caution offered by @sheridany regarding overnighting in highway “rest areas.” We have family members in law enforcement that strongly suggest those areas attract some pretty unsavory people.

A better alternative is to stop at a Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Cracker Barrel or similar parking area that allows overnight RV parking.

TJ

 

[AbdRahim]

Use good judgement. I have been sleeping in rest areas for 50 years. I never had a problem. I only sleep in well lit, and highly populated rest areas, on toll interstate highways.

 

[hipchem1]

That’s a different story but I would not park where the trucks park as those drivers have driving restrictions in hours. Some pilot flying j’s have separate rv parking or they have big general parking areas. That’s fine. I would check and make sure it’s allowed as sometimes local ordinance don’t allow it.

Thanks Flying J actually lists if the stop is RV Friendly.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

AbdRahim has is right, use good judgement. That doesn't only apply to rest stops, there are plenty of CG's and retail locations I wouldn't be able to relax and sleep in. If we were on the road, and I got to where I was too tired to drive you need to find a safe place to rest. We plan our trips around relaxed travel days, our schedule supports that. We also book sites in advance, we're not the spontaneous youths we used to be. I like to know where I am parking, get there without being exhausted, and enjoy a good meal and quiet time with the DW.

Only other thing I would mention, setting up camp in rest areas is different to sleeping. I know many do it, but it could be like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

 

[DKRITTER]

IMO, to many things tipping the scale to the NO side for me.

 

[Neal]

It's a NO for me as well. My main reason is I respect that this is for truckers, I don't want them in our campgrounds. I also prefer a more safe and secure location, that's just me. There are rest areas that do have designated RV areas and even power from what I've heard, that's a different story.