Overnight in a rest area??

[Wb2IVU]

I don't like "rest Areas' for over night parking.. They just seem to be to isolated for my liking

A better choice for over night parking might be a truck stop. I do believe Pilot and Flying J allows over night parking, plus they tend to have clean bathrooms and decent food if you don't feel like cooking after a day of driving.

[wtresq]

Just returned from FL in our new Winnebago Journey Diesel pusher. Stayed at 2 truck stops (Love's Fl Daytona and Flying J Kentucky between Lex and Louie). We stayed one night in a rest stop in South Carolina. We also spoke with a manager at a Cracker Barrel who said "all" of the stores allow overnight "parking". Literally every Wal-mart that we tried to stop at in the south had "no overnight parking" signs posted. I have always stayed in truck stops, rest stops, and other parking lots with out any issues. Most Wal-Marts in the past, the ones right off the highways have always allowed parking. I would feel comfortable staying at most any place, especially if other motor homes are parked there. The only issue I had in the past was the older Class A we had did not have good blinds and the street lights were very bright. Not an issue with the new RV.

Also I found that the Alabama rest stops are step up for RV's. Fresh water, free dump station, area's for the pets, etc.

[gemini5362]

I believe I read some where that the official walmart policy on camping was up to the individual store manager. In some cities the city has passed local ordinances prohibiting over night stays in walmart so those managers do not have an option but where not specifically prohibited it is up to the managers discretion. I have seen several fine options in this thread and found the information enlightening for my next trip. If we are only talking about parking lots without hook ups then for me walmart is a good option. I am assuming most people are aware that Walmart has cameras everywhere in their parking lots. There have been several televised news stories where people have been mugged or someone kidnapped from a walmart parking lot and the cameras have recorded the whole event. I believe that knowing that is going to happen will put a bit of a damper on some people that would plan criminal events in the parking lot.

After saying that I believe that one of the reasons that walmart has slowed down on parking and may totally stop it is because of a small group of RVers ruining it for everyone. There is a lawsuit from a couple of years ago where an RVer had someone try to force there way into the RV the owner was able to get to his gun and shot them. The RV owner then turned around and sued walmart stating they should have realized this person had been out in the parking lot on and off during the day and taken steps to guarantee the RV owners safety. Walmart will not defend themselves from too many of those lawsuits before they decide to just fix the problem by not allowing anyone to camp overnight. There is no where to stay that is 100 per cent safe. Campgrounds have security guards and you pay to have those security guards watch over you. You cannot expect to stay in a walmart or loves or a church parking lot for free and expect to have security watching over you. If you stay somewhere for free you have to expect there is going to be some element of risk.

[Kro1957]

Rest stops not a good idea. Higher risk of crime also. Most cases not legal. Designed for short periods of rest 1-2 hrs max.
If you want free, besides others mentioned, look at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's. In fact some even advertise on the store site they offer RV overnight parking and have RV dump station on site.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Kro1957

Rest stops not a good idea. Higher risk of crime also. Most cases not legal. Designed for short periods of rest 1-2 hrs max.

We've stayed in lots of them, around her the max stay is 8 hours and have dump stations, wash down hoses (non-potable) and drinking water a few feet away.
In fact I haven't seen a rest area that it was illegal to rest in.

[PyrateSilly]

Rest areas are not any more dangerous than any other place to stay, campground or not. They will allow 8 to 10 hours for sleeping purposes NOT camping. The states would rather have you sleep there for a few hours than be on the road driving tired.

[towwagon]

home depot dennys all let you park over night

[Jack R]

On the top of Mt Eagle is a mandatory pull off area for trucks. Pull off in there and drive past the truck area and you will see a large area you can park.

jack r

[Wb2IVU]

This my or may not be relevant, but the 80 through Ohio has RV parking, at its rest stops, with the ability to dump. each parking sop has power, but not water. The cost was $20 for the night.

[PyrateSilly]

Now that would $20 that I would not mind spending for a quick overnight spot. Electric at the site for coffee in the morning and what ever else you need to have plugged in for heat or AC. I am sure there is also a water spigot to fill the water tank if need be since there is also a dump station. There is also probably a one nite maximum unless there are problems with the coach. I wish more states would do this. A quick pull off, plug in, eat and some sleep then get up in the morning have some coffee and back on the road fully rested wwwayyy faster than finding a campground off the interstate.

[CampDaven]

Some folks are very simply in "vacation mode". I fully understand the hustle and bustle of that mode, as I was one there. Yep. BTDT.

However, we have never been in enough of a hurry or been reaching for a bridge so far away that a rest stop or truck stop or Wal-docking was ever required. Our vacations were too precious for such places. We had the kids along!

For the kids, "fun" was at the destination, and every campground was another destination full of fun along the way.

Today, we are retired and full-time, so the journey is our destination. And still no rest stops or truck stops or Wal-docking, etc.

We wish all of you well in your travels.
Be safe out there!

[Agapemou]

Never been run out of any WalMart and I have traveled about 7500mi. so far. Great for shopping as well. ( food )

[KSCRUDE]

In Kansas on all the interstates we have RV dumps and parking for free. I70 I35 and I135 all have them. We have never overnighted at any of them, but do use their dump sites from time to time. We usually find a SAMs club or casino or lake to overnight at if the need arises. Or university or shopping mall. Have never been run out of anyplace yet.

[Mossy cat]

I'd be afraid to stay in a Walmart parking lot in A travel trailer. A motor home would probably be ok.