Interstate HWY Rest Stop Question

[Bob55]

This question has probably been asked and answered many times before, but I'll ask it again.......

When driving cross country how do you all schedule the stops? We want to drive 8 hours or so in a day, and then stop at rest areas. Since each interstate rest area has caveats to only stop for 8 hours before moving on how does everyone handle this? We're starting to plan for a trip from Washington to Yellowstone next year and really don't want any surprises.....

[NLOVNIT]

Any of the rest areas we've used, I haven't seen any such caveats. We've stopped as early as 5PM & as late as 2AM, rarely leaving before 9AM, & have never been approached by any authority saying we've overstayed an 8 hour time limit.

Where have you seen an 8 hour limit?

Lori-

[powderman]

I have never been bothered at a rest area, but then I don't make it look like I am camping. I keep the slides and steps in. Also it sometimes gets harder to find a spot if arriving too late. Most of the truckers fill the spots by 10 or 11.

[Civdiv99]

Idaho says 8 hours. Nobody is going to knock on your RV door and ask if you are still tired.

And, get creative. Casinos. Wal-Marts. Rest Areas. The occasional RV park to overnight, re-supply, dump, and go.

We've been all over the areas between here and Jellystone.

Post your route thoughts and I'll tell you what I know.......

[KarenS144]

Not all Rest Areas allow overnight stays. 8 hours is a long time time to drive day after day so you might want to plan a place to stay over 2 nights to rest and work the kinks out.

On interstates, from pulling out of an overnight stop to arriving at the next, we average just under 50mph. That includes lunch, rest stops to walk the dogs and us & fuel. We tend to drive about 63mph.

Have fun planning!

[Bob55]

We've seen the 8 hour limit on all of the Washington State rest areas that we've been in, maybe it's just our fine state? Given our state's budget constraints maybe it isn't worth worrying about......

Nice to know other states aren't so restrictive.

[Civdiv99]

Are you taking 90?

And:

http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/rest-stops.html

[FunGus]

I'm sure the intent of the 8 hour limit is to prevent multiple day camping. The intent of a rest stop is to give motorists (including RV'ers) a place to stop, rest, sleep, walk, eat, etc. I've never been questioned but I used to worry about it until I decided that most cops would rather see you sleeping comfortably in your RV than barreling towards them (or their loved ones) at 70 mph in a 30,000 lb bullet. I wouldn't think twice about sleeping in my car as long as I needed to at at rest stop, why should I be concerned just because I'm way more comfortable sleeping in an RV? If I do end up getting a ticket someday, so be it, but I'd rather be safe in the meantime.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Bob55

This question has probably been asked and answered many times before, but I'll ask it again.......
When driving cross country how do you all schedule the stops? We want to drive 8 hours or so in a day, and then stop at rest areas. Since each interstate rest area has caveats to only stop for 8 hours before moving on how does everyone handle this? We're starting to plan for a trip from Washington to Yellowstone next year and really don't want any surprises.....

Bob55
What FunGus said!
In 14 years, (115k miles), traveling in my coach I've overnighed in dozens of rest areas, in numerous states with similar signs posted, often for longer than 8 hours.
I have never been hassled.
Mel
'96 Safari, 142k miles

[SteveLevin]

California also states 8 hours in 24, but we've never been hassled. That said, we rarely pull in when the sun's up, so while we might be there 10 hours, it's typically getting in at 10:00pm and leaving at 8:00am. And as others have said we normally don't put slides out, even if we have an island on the left side where we could safely deploy it.

Steve

[Murf2u]

Originally Posted by Bob55

Since each interstate rest area has caveats to only stop for 8 hours before moving on how does everyone handle this?

I've had several LEO's in different States, both in places like Wally World and in rest areas or parks, the posted time limit is merely a tool for law enforcement.

If somebody is causing a problem, partying or whatever, the LEO's can point to the sign and tell them to move on.

In one rest area in GA I had a State Trooper tell me where to park for the night based on where he was going to be parked (unless a call came in) so he could keep an eye on us. By sunup we were one of 5 RV's, and the trooper was still there.

[trode]

Out here on the east coast most rest areas on interstates are posted "no overnight parking". I believe that is not strictly enforced as I see many trucks that appear to be parked for the night when driving late at night.

I have what may be a related question; We are considering traveling west across the country in the rv, but wonder if there are any rest areas that have dump stations anymore? Years back I can recall rest areas in several states here on the east coast that had dump stations, not sure they exist any more.

[joss]

pulling in to a rest stop, if I need to sleep i pull in and hide between them to avoid pan handlers..... it's noisy mostly, but I can run my generator for ac no problem which in the s.west is a must. altho I run diesel I had a person bum gas from me one time...at some rest stops I have seen the occasional cardboard sign beggar, but hiding between rigs I have never had a knock on the door....I love rest stops, ....you can pull in late or leave real early...no probs... a big plus is that my GPS can show rest stops so I can plan ahead during a long haul.

[mikebreeze]

Certain rest areas in MD have them: US15 at PA border, I95 near Ft. Meade exit. VA only lists one at mm155 northbound. So it looks like they are not at all rest areas around the DC area.