Boondocking off I95

[Leleluvsdis]

Has anyone stayed for a couple of hours at the Florida welcome center or anywhere else off I95 Southern GA/Northern FL? We are leaving Southern Virginia around 1 p.m. on our trip in Jan and plan to drive until midnight or so. With a 2 year old, I figure we will have to stop several times for play breaks and such, so I don't foresee us getting all the way to Disney Friday.

 

[KristinU]

I'm eager to see responses. We've stayed at both the KOA and Country Oaks campgrounds at that last GA exit in Kingsland, but we've since started really liking to boondock for overnights rather than messing with a campground for a few hours. The KOA does have waffles for breakfast, which is a fun treat the morning before seeing Mickey, but not necessary of course

 

[FtW Mike]

Like Kristin I too am looking forward to the responses. We too will be traveling with little ones our two little pups aka the savages will be about 10 months old and need plenty of outdoor time. To accommodate them we only plan on traveling about 300 miles a day with lots of stops in between

 

[peg110]

We haven't stayed at the "Florida" Welcome center (going in) but we HAVE stayed at the Georgia Visitor Information Center (coming home) at Exit 1 on I95. We stayed for about 6 - 7 hours and had NO issues. We felt very comfortable and safe there. Also you can get to other facilities on that exit including a "Pilot Travel Center" which also has a lot of parking for the big rigs.

When traveling, I am a big fan of the Boondocking approach. I prefer to spend my time at the destination, so the traveling stops along the way are merely for "maintenance" (if you will). Resting, refueling vehicle (and family), and relieving.

I don't remember exactly where it was, but on one of our trips, we spent about 6 hours at a (smaller) rest stop about an hour from the Fort and somewhere on I4 I believe. That spot was pretty quiet and we pulled in about midnight - 1AM and slept until the morning. Again.. No issues for us.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We haven't stayed at the "Florida" Welcome center (going in) but we HAVE stayed at the Georgia Visitor Information Center (coming home) at Exit 1 on I95. We stayed for about 6 - 7 hours and had NO issues. We felt very comfortable and safe there. Also you can get to other facilities on that exit including a "Pilot Travel Center" which also has a lot of parking for the big rigs.

When traveling, I am a big fan of the Boondocking approach. I prefer to spend my time at the destination, so the traveling stops along the way are merely for "maintenance" (if you will). Resting, refueling vehicle (and family), and relieving.

I don't remember exactly where it was, but on one of our trips, we spent about 6 hours at a (smaller) rest stop about an hour from the Fort and somewhere on I4 I believe. That spot was pretty quiet and we pulled in about midnight - 1AM and slept until the morning. Again.. No issues for us.

Thank you! We are hoping to at least southern GA but that is good to know about the GA welcome center. We always stop at the FL welcome center for OJ, so I was thinking we could kill two bird with one stone if we stayed there. They also have a nice yard where our daughter can play and nice picnic tables for breakfast.

 

[FtW Mike]

Let me add my 2 cents here and then some. You might want to consider getting a book "Driving I 95" In it you will find a wealth of information. Including such topics as:
Distances between exits
Amenities at exits such as Food, Fuel, Major hotels hint Cracker Barrel restaurants are not listed (Try thier website)
Locations of Rest Stops
My own experience tells me that I will have the following significant mileage checkpoints along the way ie NC is approx 185 miles SC is approx 180 Ga is 125 Fla 65 miles to Jacksonville and then 190 to The Fort. I use them to determine how far we will go tbetween stops

 

[sambuster]

Spent a few hours at Waltersboro SC Walmart last night. It was great power nap and it's about 5 hours from the fort. Sambuster

 

[bama_ed]

Spent a few hours at Waltersboro SC Walmart last night. It was great power nap and it's about 5 hours from the fort. Sambuster

Arrive alive, Steve! Be safe.

Bama Ed

 

[FortForever]

If you were coming down I75, I would have suggestions for you. We are the first town after entering FL from that direction. Lots of travelers stay at our Walmart and Cracker Barrel.

 

[Barney Fife]

I'm eager to see responses. We've stayed at both the KOA and Country Oaks campgrounds at that last GA exit in Kingsland, but we've since started really liking to boondock for overnights rather than messing with a campground for a few hours. The KOA does have waffles for breakfast, which is a fun treat the morning before seeing Mickey, but not necessary of course

We did Country Oaks years ago and doing the KOA this December. I'm no help here as 1. Boondocking in a motorhome is probably easier than in a fifth wheel and 2. I just prefer the security and comfort of a campground.

Driving to the Fort is somewhat rare as this is only our third trip in 10 years. We like to enjoy the journey just like we enjoy the destination. Taking it easy as we will leave around 9:00 am and should arrive at the KOA around 5:00 pm or so. Do a quick temporary set-up, have dinner or maybe go out for dinner, and then just chill before bedtime. The next morning, hit the road refreshed around 8:00 am and be at the Fort before 1:00 pm. Its like getting a chance to extend the vacation and extra day by doing something different.

 

[IngmarP]

We have stayed at the rest stop at mile marker 41 in Georgia many times with no issues. The mile marker one rest stop mentioned by someone is on the north bound side. We have also stayed at the Flying J at Brunswick but the RV parking is limited and traffic in and out can get hectic. I believe overnight boondocking is illegal in Florida.

 

[peg110]

I believe overnight boondocking is illegal in Florida.

I suspect those laws are intended to prevent vagrants (or those that choose a "Boondock" lifestyle) from staying and living at these locations for extended periods.

I "Boondock" for a couple of hours to "Rest" before I continue on my way. My intent is not to break the law, rather to get needed rest so that I continue on my travels safely (and rested).

Many rest stops we have encountered had signs that did indicate that stays were limited to 2 or 3 hours, but I have never had an issue. If, however, you pull out the grill, put the slides out, run the generator, etc.... I suspect you might encounter more issues.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Thanks everyone! Right now we are contemplating the exit 41 rest stop and the wal-mart in Brunswick, GA. We like to stop any get groceries as we're leaving for ease, so the wal-mart is the most appealing at this point. If any other suggestions or thoughts, please feel free to share