Give me some assurance drydocking at truck stop or walmart

[Brumeiser]

We have never tried this before but I think in our trip this November we are really looking at overnight stay in a parking lot. I have read somewhere that at one truck stop I think Flying J there are security around and it is well lit? If you stop at one of these truck stops is there a place where they prefer the campers to be parked? Our first day we are leaving at 3:30pm and would like to drive until at least midnight and I think the easist thing to do would to park either in a Walmart lot or a Flying J lot. What are your opinions? Thanks everyone.

 

[BradyBz12]

We've stayed in WalMart parking lots for naps and quick overnights on our trips to WDW from NH. Some are noisier than others, and we've come up with a short list of the ones we like best. We always go with well lit lots that are patrolled and are fairly close to the highway.

We've done this since '04 and haven't ever had any trouble (knock wood!)

Just keep in mind that there are some counties where this is not permitted and in FL this includes pretty much anywhere remotely close to WDW and I believe the county Daytona is in as well.

Those lots are typically posted for no overnight parking/camping. I believe WalMart also puts out a directory as well.

I know some other folks here have had good luck with Flying J and other truck stops, but like everything else, I think it can vary widely depending on where you are.

 

[DaveInTN]

We've overnighted on several occasions at Walmart, and as noted above some are better than others. I always go in the store and ask management for permission, and where they would prefer I park. I also will do some shopping while there. For the most part, we've felt safe and secure, and you can't beat the price or convenience for some sleep. The cons? Well, Walmart parking lots are WELL lit all night, and there is usually truck traffic making deliveries during the night, so they aren't the quietest places around. If you have good night shades, and can run a generator to have a fan going, it's ok. However, my preference is still to find a campground so I can plug in and sleep more soundly.

 

[freshlybarked]

Let me give you what might be a better alternative. Cracker Barrel. We have done it once and it was quiet and well lit. We did have breakfast there the following morning. Many of our RV friends suggested this as an alternative to Walmart, which is not iffy at best in allowing overnights stays. A truck stop would work and I would think it is pretty safe, at least in the fact that there are other truckers there. We were alone at Cracker Barrel, but we parked in the RV parking under a light and felt okay. Just a thought.

 

[Captdonswife]

We have done all three. Cracker Barrell is a good option but of course it is closed at night so you are more than likely in a completely empty parking lot. You could have a trucker or other RVer there but possibly not. Walmart is always busy and always well lit. We do check with the manager and see if there is any particular place we should park if they allow overnighters. The Flying J is always busy as well but if you don't get there fairly early, you won't get a spot. Their RV spaces are well marked. Of course all of these places expect you to buy something - gas, food, supplies, etc.

One other overnight place we have parked is a casino. Most allow it but just check with the management or parking lot security. Likewise, they will want you to eat or gamble a little!

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Are you planning on traveling south from Toledo on I-75? Its been our experience that there are surprisingly few truck stops in Kentucky & Tennessee. I just checked Flying J's website and could only find 3 along I-75 for Ky & Tenn. Not sure how far you'll get that night. But be aware that with the limited number of truck stops chances are by midnight or so they will be filled with truckers. We've ended up traveling much farther than planned just trying to find a place to rest in this area. The same with rest areas. I'm not trying to discourage you....just giving a heads up.

 

[BradyBz12]

Just curious whereabouts the Cracker Barrels you've boondocked in are? We tried there first when we started pulling the TT to WDW and none of the ones we tried along 95 allowed campers or overnight parking.

It would be nice to be able to grab a hot breakfast before heading out in the a.m!

 

[Brumeiser]

We are taking a new route that was suggested to us on this board. We are taking I75 down to Cincinnati and there is a route not sure of the number that will go over to Louisiville then we are taking I65 down. This gives me a few ideas, I will have to remember that the lot gets filled up. So I may have a back up plan to drive all night if I have too, if everything is filled up. Just want to get a feel on what options we have. Most campgrounds unless you know exactly where you plan on staying and prepay will not allow late visitors past 9pm, and I don't want to commit to a spot and still have time to drive on. Thanks everyone.

 

[Shan-man]

I highly recommend paying for a campsite. We have had a few occasions when vagrants came a knocking in the middle of the night. I'm sure they were looking to see at least if the camper was empty so they could rob it. Once they discovered it wasn't I fear they might have been willing to rob the people inside... but I'm a big guy so they just asked for a handout and went away. I tremble to think what might have happened if a smaller guy or woman had answered the door. If $30 is too much to fork over for a safe night, perhaps you should reconsider RVing... that's my opinion.

 

[RDBS]

Most campgrounds unless you know exactly where you plan on staying and prepay will not allow late visitors past 9pm, and I don't want to commit to a spot and still have time to drive on.

Every KOA has after hours registration. I have also come in after hours at a KOA when I had reserved a site and they had everything set up for us, including the WiFi codes.

We usually try to stay at KOAs when we are doing long road trips since we know what to expect and we have been generally pleased with the service. We have also arrived at other private campgrounds after hours with no problem.

I did, however, see on our return from FW this summer a public campground on the ocean with its gate chained and locked.

I have never overnighted in a parking lot, but will not rule it out. Ideally, a campground would give my kids a chance to burn off some energy.

Best of luck.

Joe

 

[CCIntrigue]

We always spend the night at Flying J in St. Augustine on the way down and Flying J at Brunswick on the way home. Never had a problem. RV area fills up quickly, but there's always plenty of room in the truck area. And in the truck area your neighbors won't complain about you running your generator overnight. Last time we were at the Flying J the people in the trailer next to us complained about the noise -- and it was about 40 degrees. We spent a cold night there! (Maybe they were jealous because they didn't have a generator too?)

 

[RDBS]

I meant to add that I have seen on several occasions the KOA manager come out to assist late-comers get into a site, even after mid-night.

Joe

 

[Kagoguen]

I'd like to ask a question if I could? We're coming down late October, and our 1st stop, I was planning on staying at the Flying J in Clear Brook, VA, we probably won't get there til midnight, do you think that time of year we would have a hard time finding a spot to park?

 

[tlh0726]

DH has stayed in super walmart parking lots a few times on his way down and back from Atlanta. He tries to get the ones closest to the interstate due to the easy of getting the rig in and out.

Super Walmarts are open 24 hours, have traffic in and out (including policemen) and security cameras are on.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

Staying at a truck stop or Walmart is not about being able to pay 30 bucks or not. I won't be stopping on my first night until about 2 am, I would be very annoyed if someone pulled into a campground that late. If you are stopping before 10 then going to a campground is reasonable in my opinion. If you get much later than that then you are disturbing people. That's why I don't do it.

On our trip in 2010 we will stay at a Walmart or flying J the first night (the 2 am night) then at a campground the second night which I will arrive at around 6pm if all goes well.

I have stayed at the 24 hr Walmart in Wilkes-Barre Pa. Which also has a cracker barrel. I have also stayed at a 24 hr Walmart in Maine (at which I bought a GPS so maybe I should have found a campground lol).

I will say as stated if you are a light sleeper you will not get any sleep at a 24hr Walmart.

Dan

 

[BradyBz12]

For us, since we really are just stopping some place safe to sleep, it's about the convenience and a quick in/out rather than the $$. We only stop at WalMarts right next to the highway, so it's 5 minutes in/out and we're on our way.

Plus the stop the night before our arrival (usually Jacksonville), lets us do our grocery shopping before we head out in the a.m. saving us an extra trip so we can go straight to FW.

But that's just us.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I've stayed once at a Walmart in Live Oak. Worked out really well for me. Unfortantly we got a late start out of town and the early morning traffic at Walmart worked out for us as well! Got us going in the morning.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

I never really gave it a second thought until now, but we just pull into a rest area and sleep. That's where we met Cheryl and Jeff (4Mickey2) for the first time...we both had stopped at the same rest area and the next morning started chatting while we took our dogs out. We were pretty surprised to find out that we had actually knew each other from the disboards! After reading this thread, I think I will be a little more nervous about staying in a rest area though.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We use a combination of rest areas and flying J, never had any trouble at either. We have used a KOA in Cleveland TN on the way home, just pull in late and leave the money in the envelope.

 

[m1tchells]

We always travel the night before our "official" vacation starts so that we can arrive at our destination early in the morning. Most of the time this means that we will stop for several hours to eat and sleep for a bit. Anyway, we have always stayed at rest stops and never had any problems. Tucked right in next to all the truckers and have always felt safe. Of course, we don't take anything for granted and are cautious (and "protected") but have never had any problems at all. Hope I haven't just jinxed myself!