Truck stops

[lab_nomad]

I was watching a video by Bob, and he was talking about truck stops (like Pilot, Flying J, etc.). He said he prefers mom and pop truck stops b/c there's less chance of being hassled. I thought those truck stops/travel centers were bulletproof. Is it not the case that vehicles can overnight at these places? They are open 24/7, so what's the problem?

 

[JDub]

I don't know. I've overnighted in my SUV at Pilot's, Flying J's, and Love's and never had a problem. I like the hot dog (VERY questionable content, great sodium and MSG fueled taste) deals at them 2 fer 3. I've seen folks parked at the Pilot in Creola AL (intersection of US 43 and I65) just outside Mobile for a couple days at a time when I run down to PCola for the weekend and back.

Maybe different rules at heavily used stops which have experienced problems?

Cheers!

 

[abnorm]

Last year............Travel America, Mt Vernon, Missouri............

Stopped for the night between Springfield Mo and Tulsa Ok at a TA Truck Stop on Interstate 44

We bought our Dinner and Snacks from the store......Parked in the empty "car" parking......the trucks were stacking up out back......

We ate in the van and started some Netflix....about 11 o'clock we get the ROUST !....""You Can't Park Here Overnight !""

I get dressed and visit the store.....O Yeah....No FREE Parking......$18 to park for the nite ? !#@%$&# (it's 11 o'clock....of course I paid)

 

[JDub]

We have a TA along I55/20 in MS about 40 miles from me. It has a "Country Kitchen" in it with a super Chicken Fried Steak breakfast that I stop for whenever I'm headed that way. It's got a couple of closed service stations surrounding it with large lots - VERY rural location. They'd never get away with pulling something like that there. What a crock...

Cheers

 

[user 423]

Last year............Travel America, Mt Vernon, Missouri.......

...we get the ROUST !....""You Can't Park Here Overnight !""

O Yeah....No FREE Parking......$18 to park for the nite ? !#@%$&# (it's 11 o'clock....of course I paid)

That's the first time I've heard of having to pay $ for staying at a TS but then I don't usually stop at them anyway.

With the 1000's of Wal-Marts, free rest areas, Cracker Barrels,etc. I don't see the need.

In some locations and with a long haul between stops (I-80 maybe), I guess that could happen. Now I'll remember to check ahead...

 

[user 37446]

Yeah it's spotty. There's often a very limited amount of car/rv parking available off to the side of the station/restaurant. Just depends on the setup.

Overall I've rarely stopped for the night at one, preferring the hotels and motels off the interstates. You just need good window blocks as they are very well lit up.

Now if the OP had said "casinos" I'd say yes, you will likely be rousted from them, especially in New Mexico (as I remember having been told to leave twice). Some of them are signed "no overnight, customer use only) and they have special places for the rv'ers to go park.

 

[tx2sturgis]

....O Yeah....No FREE Parking......$18 to park for the nite ? !#@%$&# (it's 11 o'clock....of course I paid)

Dang maybe I should try that here at Winford Station....make a little money on the side...yeah that's the ticket!

I bet my guests that are here right now would 'appreciate' the thought. 

 

[MrNoodly]

I've overnighted at truck stops a few times in the past eight years but was never rousted. It was hard to sleep with traffic coming and going at all hours, and while some people find the drone of idling diesels relaxing, it just annoyed me. Oh, and one was by a very active railroad line.

 

[bullfrog]

Wonder if that was just some guys idea of a way to make a few extra bucks doing security? Lol!!! There was a news story about a guy that put a toll booth up in a free public parking lot and collected fees for years. They only figured out what was happening when he “retired” !!!

 

[vgilbert]

Hello All,
I have parked overnight at Loves and Pilot in many states without issue. I try to arrive early in the evening and be out early in the morning. 12 hour stays are common for me. Pull in, spend the night (1 night) and move on in most cases.
This week I am going through mechanical issues. I made it to a Pilot along I-10 about 30 miles east of Quartzsite Az and parked for the night. The next morning I sat in the lot making phone calls, etc until noon without any knocks or questions. I then went up to the desk to speak with an employee about letting my rig sit in the lot for the day. After explaining the situation they were very welcoming and asked only that I keep them informed about how long I may need to be there.
Something to consider. Both Pilot and Loves have a mobile App. On the app Pilot list locations that are "RV friendly" and I have been to a few really nice ones. Both have mapping / nationwide locations that show fuel prices at each location. If you are traveling long distance or deciding which way to go you can get an idea of fuel prices from state to state.
Good Luck
God Bless

 

[Morefun]

We've been around the US in van, skoolie, new 5th wheel, renovated classic 5th wheel. No matter what we're in, where at, we always ask the truck stop where we can grab a night of sleep. Every place is different, some more nice or asshats than others. Diffently do not take up obvious truck parking spaces.

 

[WayOutWest]

I haven't ever stayed at truck stops: I would have difficulty with the trucks coming and going and the noise of idling engines. I'm a light sleeper so this definitely impacts where I'm able to spend the night. Even with earplugs, I sleep lightly enough that I'll wake up every time a vehicle passes by if it's within a certain short-range distance, particularly if they are driving slowly and the vehicle makes more noise due to braking or shaking or turning, etc.

I wonder how truck drivers do if they are light sleepers?!!

 

[Camper]

If I park out front at a truck stop I will probably be on my laptop or watching tv instead of sleeping. I can't help it if I'm holding my laptop and fall asleep though.

 

[Scott3569]

I drove tractor trailer for 13 years, the only reason I can see where it may be a problem parking over night at a truck stop is if there is limited parking.. Out side of that, most of your pilot, flyingj, TA's have Rv services, parking..

 

[eDJ_]

From what I've experienced in mom & pop truck stops,  there is a sense of community that doesn't exist at the big chain facilities.  (Flying J,  Pilot, etc)  At a private place the regulars will defend the proprietor as they feel a connection and value the food and service, not to mention the company of fellow truckers. (or "regulars")

When I see a mom & pop with lots of rigs parked around it,  that suggest they have pretty good food and trade and the are likely to behave more like adults than drugstore cowboys or folk hero's.

 

[MotorVation]

When I'm travelling I prefer truck stops over rest areas. I've never had a problem at the chains. There are usually a few expediters in the lot and they are all driving vans, usually Sprinters, Pro Master's etc. I'm just one more white van in the lot. Mine isn't as pretty but oh well. I stay away from the truck lot. The noise doesn't bother me.

I'm not saying it can't happen. I'm saying it hasn't. Yet

 

[user 37446]

The TA nearest to where I usually am has a paid lot and the stop n' shop prking by the main store is signed with a 1 hour limit. I asked about the paid lot and it's $15 nightly, there's nearly always a few cars/busses/vans in there.

They have a very small store parking area due to squeezing everything down to fit the weird off-highway space they are in. Trucks even park on the on and off ramp cause there's no space for them after about 7 pm. So I suppose it all depends on the location.

Out west in NM off I-40 a lot of the TA/Pilot/Loves/Flying J's are so big that no one would care.

 

[highdesertranger]

15 bucks a night, to park. holy cow.

Highdesertranger

 

[MotorVation]

There's a really small parking lot in the front at the Flying J on the way in/out of Tampa on I-75. I wouldn't try and sleep at that one

 

[Scott3569]

The TA nearest to where I usually am has a paid lot and the stop n' shop prking by the main store is signed with a 1 hour limit. I asked about the paid lot and it's $15 nightly, there's nearly always a few cars/busses/vans in there.

They have a very small store parking area due to squeezing everything down to fit the weird off-highway space they are in. Trucks even park on the on and off ramp cause there's no space for them after about 7 pm. So I suppose it all depends on the location.

Out west in NM off I-40 a lot of the TA/Pilot/Loves/Flying J's are so big that no one would 

It absolutely depends on the Location, Most truck Stops that have paid parking are Closest to your big cities.. Not all the time there are some exceptions.. But there are plenty of truck stops out there for stealth travelers..