Community Forums

3Unbound · 03-01-2022, 09:44 AM

We're relatively new to RV'ing and want to take a muilti-day trip south on I-75 through most of the country. But we're not sure how much we want or can drive each day. So I'm reluctant to make reservations at specific campsites although that would be safe, because one member of our family uses a wheelchair and has health issues. So what is the best way to handle the accommodations? Is staying at truck stops safe, or at Walmart? Is there enough capacity along that busy route to just wing it and start calling places close by when we need to stop? Are there other options? What do others do when they need to stop for the night and don't have a reservation?

Souljourner · 03-01-2022, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Unbound

We're relatively new to RV'ing and want to take a muilti-day trip south on I-75 through most of the country. But we're not sure how much we want or can drive each day. So I'm reluctant to make reservations at specific campsites although that would be safe, because one member of our family uses a wheelchair and has health issues. So what is the best way to handle the accommodations? Is staying at truck stops safe, or at Walmart? Is there enough capacity along that busy route to just wing it and start calling places close by when we need to stop? Are there other options? What do others do when they need to stop for the night and don't have a reservation?

When just looking for a quick overnight rather than an extended stay I prefer Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome over Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or a truck stop.

HarryStone · 03-01-2022, 09:50 AM

Most Flying J truck stops allow overnight RV parking-if they have space. Walmarts are hit and miss, as some allow it and some don't. I'd suggest the app campendium to locate sites that allow overnight parking. There may be other apps that do the same thing that I'm not aware of. I've done a bit of boondocking at those places and have felt safe.

Mr.Mark · 03-01-2022, 09:55 AM

So far, now that I have the new Class-B, I've stayed only in RV Parks. My thought is I might consider a Cracker Barrel or other stores that allow boondocking for a night.

My driving distance/comfort seems to be about 300 miles which puts me getting fuel each day. So, before I stop for the night, I'll fill up so that I can get a good clean start for the next day.

BTW, congrats on the new Pleasure Way!

Safe travels,
Mark

spuds · 03-01-2022, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souljourner

When just looking for a quick overnight rather than an extended stay I prefer Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome over Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or a truck stop.

Harvest Hosts do tend to be a ways off primary routes, and one does need to call ahead. Many do not permit running a generator, which may be a concern for OP.

jergle · 03-01-2022, 11:06 AM

The free app RV Parky can be helpful finding last minute rest stops also.

Old-Biscuit · 03-01-2022, 11:10 AM

250-300 miles per day is all we do
Gives one a pleasant travel day....potty breaks/lunch etc w/o being stressful

We typically made reservations as we knew what we were going to be traveling each day
Retired so time was not an issue....leisure/relaxing trips were

Never overnighted in a Walmart, Cracker Barrel, truck stop, Rest area
We boondocked but that was always for 2-3 days or a week

dizcom · 03-01-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Unbound

We're relatively new to RV'ing and want to take a muilti-day trip south on I-75 through most of the country. But we're not sure how much we want or can drive each day. So I'm reluctant to make reservations at specific campsites although that would be safe, because one member of our family uses a wheelchair and has health issues. So what is the best way to handle the accommodations? Is staying at truck stops safe, or at Walmart? Is there enough capacity along that busy route to just wing it and start calling places close by when we need to stop? Are there other options? What do others do when they need to stop for the night and don't have a reservation?

Book ahead when you can. There's nothing worse than getting someplace and finding out there's nowhere for you to go. It won't matter how tired you are or how late it is, you'll have to put it back in gear and keep driving. You'll find that lousy campgrounds are better than great truck stops when you're trying to sleep. Rest areas are hit or miss. Some are just fine and we've spent many a night in them, and some we leave as quickly as we pulled in. There's no rhyme or reason to when they're open also. Sometimes you'll find spaces every time you pull in, and other times you'll find out they're closed, right as you get to the exit. Or they're full, or the parking lot is open but the restrooms are closed for renovation.

In terms of per day driving, everyone has their own tolerance. When we were younger, 8 hour drives were the norm, now I shoot for 4 or 5 with 6 being the most I will plan for. That's driving time, not total time. You'll want to stop to take a break from driving, stretch, eat, use the facilities, etc. Even a 4 hour drive can be an 8 hour day or longer, depending on what else we're doing that day. Whatever you plan for, you'll find it harder to do the more days you are on the road. When we have long legs to make distance, we stay an extra night in a location to break it up and give ourselves a break.

You'll also find it's much harder to stop and take a look at something interesting if you have a long drive ahead. If you want to be able to be spontaneous and check out roadside attractions, shops, parks, whatever during your trip, you'll want to keep the daily driving hours down so you can do that and still be rested the next day.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-01-2022, 11:25 AM

We use Allstays RV app. Start checking for places around 3:00 in the afternoon when we have an idea of where we want to stop.

You can also stay at some casinos. Sometimes free, other times very small fee.

DavidEM · 03-01-2022, 11:41 AM

For spur of the moment, pull off the road and find a place to stay places, you can't beat Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Dicks Sporting Goods and similar parking lot spots. Allstays as noted above lists all of them. Call from the road to confirm that they allow overnighting, but if not, there will be another one in a few miles.

Boondocker's Welcome campsites are usually a way off of the main road and usually take some planning because quite a few of these will not accept a same day reservation.

I haven't camped at truck stops because I suspect they will be noisy.

David

NevadaNick · 03-01-2022, 11:42 AM

We did what unplanned wrote. We pretty much knew how much longer we wanted to drive by 2-3pm and started calling ahead that distance. We always found a place to stay.

Marine359 · 03-01-2022, 11:45 AM

We just completed trip from North Carolina to southern Cal. Only made reservations at Anastasia SP in St. Augustine, NAS Pensacola, and Camp Pendleton San Onofre where we are now. Trip took 3 weeks. We stayed at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Luv’s Truck Stop, Harvest Hosts, and BLM when we got to Arizona and California. Except as stated, never a reservation, although we did call ahead to a campground in Tampa area to avoid traveling at night. And of course, you have to call ahead for Harvest Host. So, about half our trip was boondocking. You shouldn’t have any problem finding spots to overnight off I-75. Use Allstays to find good free spots. When you get to Florida, I highly recommend Golden Acres Ranch Harvest Host near Tallahassee. But you’d have to take a short detour onto I-10 to get to it.

twogypsies · 03-01-2022, 11:51 AM

If you stop early (3pm) you really shouldn't have any issues with RV parks along the way. You could start making some calls around 2pm. Have options ready. Stopping early gives you time to move around and stretch, relax, perhaps go out for dinner or explore the area a little.

hilgert · 03-01-2022, 12:07 PM

With the size of your RV, you have many options for overnighting...definitely more options than we do with our Class A (but we full time...so it's our home).

We've travelled I-75 several times between northwest Ohio and Florida. Some stretches have many RV parks, and some stretches have few to no RV parks. But again you have many options with your size RV, including just parking overnight in Walmarts that allow it (many do, some do not...with your size RV they may not even notice).

We never plan reservations for overnight stops while transiting...we only reserve the final destination. Whichever one of us that is not driving will start looking for the next overnight stop when we think we are about 3-4 hours from being done with driving for the day.

With your size RV, many parks will often be able to "find a spot" for you, even if they are otherwise full.

Also check out the rules for overnighting at rest stops...some states allow for a few hours, some do not.

Truck stops would be my last choice, but we have overnighted at those a few times. Pay for your spot, pull in, and try to ignore the 18-wheelers coming in/out around you all night. If you do park in a truck stop or rest stop be sure to position your RV such that it's on the end of the spot that is most visible by the largest number of people all night.