|
04-07-2020, 05:46 AM
|
#1
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 42
|
Interstate Rest Stops
When the time comes to Snow Bird it south/north, can we over night at a Rest Area on the Interstate, or do we have to over night at an RV Park?...
__________________
Monica and Tony
1988 Chieftain
1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk
|
|
|
04-07-2020, 06:13 AM
|
#2
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 213
|
It varies with the state. Some allow overnight parking others don't. We like staying overnight in parks. That way, we get to see some interesting places that we might not have otherwise seen plus it gives us a target for the day's driving. For us, its about the journey not the destination.
|
|
|
04-07-2020, 06:22 AM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Pinellas Park, FL
Posts: 647
|
We've slept in rest areas when permitted.
We also search out Cabela's stores as most will allow/ have a dedicated area for those traveling. The only exception is where it's not permitted in a municipality. We've stayed in some nice Cabela's store lots dedicated to RV's. Dump stations, water, one even had a cage where you could house your animals overnight if that was needed.
__________________
Thom Boles
2010 Winnebago Vista 32K with a 2013 Mini Cooper S Roadster toad.
|
|
|
04-07-2020, 06:43 AM
|
#4
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
|
Rest areas typically do not allow overnight RV stays. But there are lots of free overnight stops you can use:
Walmarts- Call and ask the store but the great majority allow overnights.
Camping World
Cracker Barrrels
Cabelas
Walmart is the one we use the most while traveling cross country. All of these prefer that you do not use slideouts, but that isn't always possible and I haven't gotten any push back so far. Also keep your toad or TV hooked up and park where the store suggests, away from most traffic.
Allstays, the campground finder app shows most of these, but we just use Google Maps. Zero in on the approximate location you want to stop and search for Walmarts, etc. Usually you will find one within the next 50 miles on most interstates. Click on the store to get their phone number and call to ask permission.
We usually arrive late after picking up some take out food for dinner and leave about 7:00 the next morning. And obviously never, ever dump in the parking lot.
David
|
|
|
04-07-2020, 07:09 AM
|
#5
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 229
|
I wouldn't say never overnight at a rest stop, but I'd avoid it if possible. Save those high demand spots for the 18 wheelers. There really is a shortage of space especially with all the mandatory rest period regulations.
__________________
2008 Voyage 35L, Allison 6 speed auto and GM Workhorse 8.1 gas
|
|
|
04-07-2020, 08:50 AM
|
#6
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,665
|
Topsail made a good point. Trucking industry is at a max roll-out right now trying to get goods to the stores.
With that in mind, see if this Where To Spend The Night
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse)
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve (TOAD)
(RVM-14) It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
|
|
|
04-12-2020, 07:15 PM
|
#7
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidM
Rest areas typically do not allow overnight RV stays. But there are lots of free overnight stops you can use:
|
Not true out west here. Texas and Oklahoma both welcome the RVer to spend up to 24 hours there. We've done it several times and have had absolutely no issues. Just be polite and take only as much space as you need if you are in the area with trucks. In the area designated for RV's, we still keep our slides in to make room for other weary travelers.
|
|
|
04-12-2020, 07:51 PM
|
#8
|
2015 Itasca Spirit 27QP
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 286
|
I use Allstays app to find places to overnight while transiting; Walmart state park works well for us most times. Have used Cabelas/Bass Pro. Cracker Barrel is okay but is often too close to the interstate for me as I am a very light sleeper. Any port in a storm... use what works best for your needs.
|
|
|
04-12-2020, 08:02 PM
|
#9
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: On The Road
Posts: 64
|
Almost all rest areas allow overnight parking. You can google rest area info to discover if yes or no. I also use Next Exit for on the road info
|
|
|
04-12-2020, 08:09 PM
|
#10
|
2018 22M
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Full Time
Posts: 48
|
I’ve stayed in rest area a lot. NEVER in a ‘Truck Space Only’ section. Christmas Eve I stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center on I-20 east of Meridian. I was surprised that rather than the usual ‘Trucks This Way - RV’s Trailers That Way’ the sign read ‘Truck/RV Parking’ to left & Cars Only to right. Multi spots. I took last one on end. Woke up to find someone SLASHED 4 of the 6 expensive tires on my RV. It was one expensive, stressful mess. I always honor truck only spaces & heard if not they may let the air out of tires or unhook a 5th wheel connection but had to be a sick person to do what they did. I do believe they did not read the sign & thought I was taking a truck spot, but STILL!! So now ONLY if specific RV spot in rest area. I mostly do Cracker Barrels & 24-hour Walmart’s. I put slides out if FAR BACK spots no one would need prior to my leaving. Never a problem. I use RV Parky app to see where overnight’s are allowed. Sometimes (I’m single female, gratefully alone! haha) I can call & even get permission at a Lowe’s & put sign on door saying ‘Asst Mngr So & So have permission. Call xxx-xxx-xxxx if a problem.” Good luck!
|
|
|
04-13-2020, 07:16 AM
|
#11
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Middleburg, Virginia
Posts: 133
|
If you stay at a rest area because you are too tired to go on and there are no viable alternatives check to see if you can overnight. If you are not allowed but are too tired to go on I would stay at the rest stop. If the Police come simply tell them you are experiencing electrical problems with your rig and are afraid of getting stuck out on the highway in the middle of the night. Its unlikely they will ask you to leave.
Again I would only do this is if I was really tired and there are no alternatives.
I have seen in Ohio rest stops that allow overnighting and have 50 amp hookups!
__________________
2012 Tour 42QD
|
|
|
04-13-2020, 08:40 AM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 7,818
|
Texas has rebuilt some old rest areas into new “Safety Rest Areas”. They have large parking lots with truck lanes and separate RV parking lanes. They’re well lighted and the two I’ve seen had security personnel too. The two I’ve seen were on I-10. One was near LA the other on the other side of the state near NM.
I just checked and the state has a brochure for these, but doesn’t mention security or RV parking. So perhaps it was just the two we’ve stopped at. The buildings and bathrooms were much nicer. Seems like they have quite a few and are remodeling a lot more too.
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot...a_brochure.pdf
__________________
2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2016 Lincoln MKX Toad
|
|
|
04-13-2020, 08:48 AM
|
#13
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nova 42qd
I have seen in Ohio rest stops that allow overnighting and have 50 amp hookups!
|
Are those for RVs or electric cars?
As an aside, some Washington rest stops have sewer dumps.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
04-13-2020, 09:00 AM
|
#14
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 7,818
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodspike
Are those for RVs or electric cars?
|
RVs but they do charge $20 a night to use them. I’ve seen them on the Ohio Turnpike I-80.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodspike
As an aside, some Washington rest stops have sewer dumps.
|
Many Texas Rest Areas have sewer dumps but not all. And lately I’ve seen a number that were locked up. So, it’s not a sure thing.
__________________
2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2016 Lincoln MKX Toad
|
|
|
04-20-2020, 06:11 PM
|
#15
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: On The Road
Posts: 64
|
We have noticed that many truckers are starting their day VERY early which gets them off the road somewhere around 3pm. So, we decided to beat them into the fuel stations and get an outer ring area to spend the night and open 1 bedroom slide so we can use the full bed.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|