Truck Stop Parking

[5er_tom]

We now have a class c motorhome. We need to get from here (Durham,NC) to Sault Ste. Marie, MI. I am thinking it is a three day ride. We hope to leave here this Thursday, which means two nights on the road.

My question is what is the protocol for overnighting at a truck stop? Is it free? Pull in and find an unused spot away from traffic? Or, do I have to go into the office, register and perhaps pay? If I need to pay, how much is the norm?

Thanks.

[1100mike]

Most truck stops have free spots. Just get in one by 5 or 6 pm. The big chains also have reserve spots for a fee, sometimes with wifi, cable and power..
You don't have to register..

[ependydad]

I need slides out so truck stops and rest stops are out for me. Besides, I don’t like “taking” a spot from truckers.

Walmarts, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, and other big box stores are where we head. Always ask permission!

We use the Allstays Camp & RV app for past reports if others were able to stay when searching for stops.

Be aware, if it’s hot out it’s going to roasting hot in your RV and you’ll need a generator for A/C. If it’s cold out, make sure your battery is up to the task of running your furnace fan all night. I’ve had 2 bad experiences on both side of the temperature pendulum!

https://learntorv.com/wallydocking/

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by 1100mike

...The big chains also have reserve spots for a fee, sometimes with wifi, cable and power....

Didn't know that! Examples of "big chains"?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Didn't know that! Examples of "big chains"?

I've seen the signs at Pilot/Flying Js:

https://pilotflyingj.com/prime-parking/

[5er_tom]

I do have a generator so running the A/C at night would not be a problem. Especially considering how much noise the 18wheelers make.
Slides? I had not thought about that. We have two, both on the driver side. Perhaps we can find a spot where the slides would be over a curb or a grassy area.

[robo44]

Cracker Barrels allowed me to travel from CA to Michigan parked in their lots free they are a good place to spend the night..

[1100mike]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Didn't know that! Examples of "big chains"?

Pilot, Loves, Petro, and Flying J. They all have websites and phone apps that drivers use to make arrangements.

[PodGeek]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I've seen the signs at Pilot/Flying Js:

https://pilotflyingj.com/prime-parking/

Thanks, but my 15 minutes of research reveal no dedicated RV sites with power or cable. Dang it...got my hopes up.

[robo44]

I've seen the truck stops with WIFI $3 for 24 hours. (or at least a fee) Never seen one with Electrical hook-ups. I agree with 5er Tom, if you do spend the night at a truck stop, Im sure your generator would not an issue giving the noise the semis make while parked.

Given the long drive days you plan and potential lack of sleep from the noise, Id pick another parking location than a truck stop. But that's me

[NavyLCDR]

Many casinos have overnight rv parking. You usually have to register and join their club which is usually free. Our casino has water and dump station. No electric.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Thanks, but my 15 minutes of research reveal no dedicated RV sites with power or cable. Dang it...got my hopes up.

If it did, it have to be called a RV park![emoji1787]

[Oaklevel]

Some visitor centers allow overnight RV parking as well.

[1100mike]

https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguid...t_truck_stops/

Travel Centers of America

[DougW]

We stayed in truck stops several times. We just found a spot to park and went to sleep. Go in the restaurant for supper or breakfast depending on when we got there, Gas up and go. Never had a problem other than they are a some of the noisiest places you could ever choose to try to get some sleep. Wal Marts are not much better for getting sleep because there are simply not enough spots in the truck stops and rest areas these days so there are plenty of trucks going in and out of them all night long too, The few times we have tried Wal Mart the truck noise was almost as bad as the truck stops. Rest areas are no better. I now plan my trips so we are in a campground every night. In Fact we are currently in the KOA in Casey IL for the night.

[NC Bill]

Many highway rest areas either limit the time or don’t allow overnight. Whether this is enforced or not, I have no idea. Google the particular state. Tennessee, the state next to where I live, limits rest areas to two hours max!

Many Walmart’s do not allow overnight parking. A lot of it is due to local ordinances.

If you want power hookup then you should seek out a campground. Overnight parking is just that: parking. Nothing more. Some truck stops have separate areas for RV parking, although the last truckstop I stayed at with this offering, the RV slots filled up with trucks. I was blocked in.

A couple of other issues with Walmart’s. First, they are located for the convenience of local shoppers, not highway travelers. They can be very far from the highway, miles away. Secondly, some are in sketchy areas. I have some common routes where I have identified overnight stops along the way that include Walmart’s. Some are nice and convenient.

[jd4010]

We've stayed at Pilots, Love's and other fuel stops both with a TT and a 5er. Only issue is the width of the spots.....if you open slides it can go over the white lines making it harder for surrounding trucks to get in/out. To be courteous to truckers, we try to find an end spot and park as far over as possible so our slides or steps don't encroach on other lanes.

We stopped going to big box stores ----- just too creepy in this day and time. I always felt like I was a target in those places and could never get a good rest like a truck stop.

[Sharon455]

Some truck stops have (limited) designated RV spots; if so use those before using the truck spots. Usually just a little quieter, but many don't leave any room for opening slides unless you get one next to a small strip of grass.

[Rorschach]

There are a few rest areas on the Ohio Turnpike that offer overnight RV parking with electric hookup. The sites are $20 a night, I think. Looking on a map, it looks like you would probably be taking 75 instead, but something to consider. I think there is one near Toledo, which you would be going near.


https://www.ohioturnpike.org/travele...ravel-trailers

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

Thanks, but my 15 minutes of research reveal no dedicated RV sites with power or cable. Dang it...got my hopes up.

Oh yeah, the ones I saw were always for trucks. I don't see why they couldn't be reserved by an RVer though. Might be worth a call.

Originally Posted by bikendan

If it did, it have to be called a RV park![emoji1787]

I just saw a recent article on this... that's exactly what KOA is doing with some new truck stop locations.