Community Forums

JavaJelly · 12-18-2007, 11:41 AM

Leaving Thursday afternoon from Buffalo. I want to stop somewhere around Erie, PA. Taking I-90 to I-79.

There are no campgrounds open and no Flying J's. Wondering if anyone has any ideas for a safe stop such as a rest area, hotel parking lot, Wal-mart etc.

I typically stay in a campground but, have no choice.

JavaJelly · 12-18-2007, 11:41 AM

Leaving Thursday afternoon from Buffalo. I want to stop somewhere around Erie, PA. Taking I-90 to I-79.

There are no campgrounds open and no Flying J's. Wondering if anyone has any ideas for a safe stop such as a rest area, hotel parking lot, Wal-mart etc.

I typically stay in a campground but, have no choice.

GaryKD · 12-18-2007, 01:01 PM

Scott,
I90, exit 27 there is a Pilot truck stop. It is on the East side of I90. It is full service, place to eat and fuel.

JavaJelly · 12-18-2007, 08:17 PM

Gary,

Thanks. I am assuming this is in PA right near the I-90/I-79 interchange.

I have been by that exit many times but, never needed to stop as it is only a couple of hours from home.

GaryKD · 12-19-2007, 11:40 AM

That is correct. Go here to see the location. Enter Erie for the city and choose Pennsylvania for the state.

JavaJelly · 12-19-2007, 12:02 PM

Gary,

Thanks. I called this Pilot and the lady who answered said it is quite a fight w/truckers for space. Said she hasn't seen but, heard of physical altercations.

Being that I will have my kids w/me, I decided against this place. Found an RV friendly Wal-mart about 30 miles South on I-79. I called and got permission. We will park there and patronize the store.

I will be driving 12.5 hours to Savannah the next day so up at the crack and out.

Skip · 12-19-2007, 12:14 PM

Scott,
There are two rest areas along your route, one is on I-90 just into Pa. at the Pa. / NY line, the other is on I-79, about 10-15 miles south of Erie. There also is a new casino, with a huge parking lot, just south of the Pilot truck stop Gary was talking about by a 1/4 mile or so. There is a Cracker Barrel restaurant at the Peach St. exit of I-90, next exit past Pilot truck stop, also Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, and others, most less than a 1/2 mile north of I-90. One last place I can think of is a Wal-Mart, south of Erie on I-79, by about 10 mile or so, at the route 6n / Edinboro exit, go east on 6n, about a 1/4 mile, to first light, turn right, Wal-Mart is right beside to I-79. I hope this helps. Skip

Tom N · 12-19-2007, 02:10 PM

You can park at the Edinboro Walmart or the Outlet Mall at the Grove City/Slippery Rock exit.

Also, there's a Cracker Barrel at the Meadville exit.

-Tom

JerryKelly · 12-19-2007, 05:28 PM

I have been to Erie a few times and have not found any camp grounds, truck stops or walmarts that I would stay at with my kids. You could spend the night at the Flying J on I-90, just over the Ohio line. The town may be Austintown. I always stop there for fuel when leaving or coming back to Cleveland.

AL · 12-20-2007, 03:40 AM

Hi All,

This is just my 2 cents worth, but I would not stay in truck stops or rest areas! It was not because the nosie of trucks running and sounds of the highway, but it was because we can park in a lot more places then the truckers can! So I would rather leave those spots for them! 98% of the time I would use Cracker Barrel, this way I could have a nice breakfast before I hit the road again! The other 2% of the time I would use a Wal-Mart or other big parking area, that would not bother anyone!!

GaryKD · 12-20-2007, 07:11 AM

Scott,
My vote is for the Cracker Barrel. You'll sleep well on a full belly.

Route 66 · 12-20-2007, 08:38 AM

As a Cracker Barrel fan, most of the Cracker Barrel parking lots are far too small for my coach and toad.

Unless someone has first hand knowledge that a particular CB has sufficient room, I wouldn't attempt to pull in one.

Tom N · 12-20-2007, 02:11 PM

I'm 63' long and we often park at Cracker Barrels. I park after the dinner rush and leave about 8AM. I usually park in the back or along the side and take up 8 or 9 spaces. I can't fit in the RV/Bus spaces when I'm towing a car and we're always towing.

Once the manager picked up the breakfast check after I told him we spent the night in his lot.

-Tom

Tom N · 12-21-2007, 06:48 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Seth D. Winick:
Tom N: Just wondering what do oyu tow that makes you 63' Long.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I stick out at least 5' in the CB rv/bus spaces. I'm fine when not towing but I'm always towing.

I'm 38'11" long according to my motorhome brouchure although I've never measured. 5' Sterling hitch and 19'? car. I may be a little under 63' I'll have to actually measure when I'm hooked up.

Anyway, I get into Cracker Barrel but it's after most of the dinner traffic has left.

-Tom