Overnight parking

[Ray Davis]

I think Tom's post brings up some great questions, and rather than hijack that thread, I wanted to expand here.

As we've all done, there are times we don't necessarily need (or want) to pay for an RV park for a simple overnight stay. So far in my own personal experience I've only used either a truck stop or a freeway rest stop for a quick overnight parking.

I have considered doing the Walmart parking, but have yet to avail myself. I'm wondering about what others use for quick overnight parking.

I think part of my reasons for not parking at Walmart (or equiv) is twofold:

1. Generally I like to only drive about 6 hours per day. I'd rather get on the road early (maybe 8AM), and then be heading in for the night into a place by 3PM or so. Although I will do it, I'm not fond of driving at night, especially in unfamiliar areas. I don't quite feel right about pulling up on a Walmart parking lot a 3PM, and staying the night. Wrong? Right?

2. I am concerned about being "bothered" while at these freebie locations. Whether it's a visit from the local cops, or undesirables, it's been a concern of mine.

Judging from your responses in Tom's thread, it seems like a lot of you have used various locations for one-nighters. Let's hear more.

One thing I've considered is using business areas, and parking in their lots? Around here we've got a ton of small business parks, that by 7PM, their lots are empty, and will remain that way until at least 8AM. Anyone ever pull up in a small business park? Would you get hassled by cops?

How about finding a residential neighborhood, and parking in a residential street?


I have no problem paying $20 per night, at locations like Tom mentioned too, and at this point would probably prefer that. But, I've been known to spend $40-$50 to park at some places for just an overnight. Makes cross country trips more expensive than they probably need be.

Anyway, I'm hoping this might trigger a discussion on this type of parking.


Ray

[merle&louise]

Ray,

We have parked in Wal Marts, Lowe's, etc. with no problems from security or from any undersirable people that are passing thru. I have slept in church parking lots, mall parking lots, supermarket parking lots, etc. When I visit friends, I park on the street in front of their house - no problems from police or neighbors.

We do this not to save the cost of RV parks, but for convenience. It is easy to pull in and go to sleep then wake up and go the next day. No unhooking the toad, or registering, or finding a site in the dark, etc. We drive 12 hours a day and it just makes more sense to pull over quickly and rest in safety. We ask permission first if possible and we always park under a light in the parking lot (never in a dark area behind buildings).

Truckers have been doing this for a long time, most businesses don't mind

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I could just imagine someone waking up and looking out the front window of the house and seeing a big old bus sittin at the curb

Truck stops are definitely convenient and free but a little noisy, often dirty.

Dales comment is dead on about the cost of parking free at wall-mart.

I'm sure we have all used rest areas, I would define these as hit or miss. When it's late and your pushing and getting tired for sure they are welcome relief, regardless.

Our favorite haunt for an overnight, Cracker-Barrel, has the same policy as Wall-mart, they promote overnight stays, and the fact that we enjoy the food is a big plus. They are also very convenient and usually quiet.

We, however have learned that as we travel from place to place the 2 night stay works very good for us, and at a campground. We do our homework choosing our stops in advance and the 2 nights allows for 1 full day without movement allowing for a much more relaxed and leisure tour of any particular destination, especially for the one doing the hooking and unhooking and driving

Last year on the way back from the Keys we took 10 days to get back up to the Georgia boarder. 5 different 2 night stays with no more than 100 miles or so a day. Naples, Bayleys driveway, Disney, Bills place in Titusville and St Augustine. Best trip back we ever made.

[Jim_Scoggins]

Ray:
On many occassions I have parked in Lowe's and Home Depot lots. I like these places as I can go in and wander around and shop and snoop for stuff--keeps me busy while Dragon Lady does her thing.
One time time behind a SC State Police outfit.
Many times at Police Stations in small towns
Flying J--many times--particularly the one at SC I95 exit 181 where there is a huge truck parking lot--one can park away from the trucks.
FL welcome center
NC welcome center
A Ford Dealership
Church in Houma, LA
Moving company on several occassions
RV dealerships
Bird's Nest, Fort Valley, GA (by the way, all coaches welcome)
Out west and down south at athletic fields and football stadiums.
In the PX parking lot at military bases and two times in the "lemon lot" at Camp Lejuene. (stayed there the night before when I had reservations in the campground the next day)

Yes, I ask first. Occassionally folks say no.

One time late in the evening I stopped at a farm house in Nebraska, and asked if I could park down by his feed lot (up wind). He said no, but to pull around to the back of his house down by the lake and there were full hook ups. Stayed there a couple of days, and at his invitation, fished. Yes, I took them to dinner.

County fairgrounds, Blue Earth, MN had free hookups for two nights. Several small towns in ND had hook ups for a "donation".

If one does a map study out west--ND,SD,MT,WY and you see a town with a river running through it, many times there is a "city campground" or "playground". The city cops, Opie and Festus, are usually good guys.

You do meet good folks, and a few real characters, poking around the nooks and crannies of America. I have found the western foks the most friendly.

Never any hint or threat of danger.
But then again, I had "guard dog Pootie"

[tdelorme]

Say, Jim, that guard dog sounds like a great idea. Would you mind posting a picture of this fierce Prevost owner protector. I mean with a name like "Pootie", that has got to be a killer animal, right?

[Jerry Winchester]

Ray,

Good thread for sure.

I tend to only use WalMart for late overnight stays. If I am in a town before the time most RV parks close, then I have enough time to check in there. WalMart is generally an after 8pm until no later than 8am deal for me. I appreciate their hospitality, but don't want to wear out my welcome and I NEVER stay the day there or stay multiple nights. When we are at POG 4, some numbnuts in a Wonderlodge stayed at the WalMart there for three days. All day long.

I like rest areas and in Oklahoma and Texas they have "parking areas" along the Interstates, so it is just a place to shut down for the night. But these tend to fill up fast with trucks and the like, so you either need to stop early, say before 10pm or miss your chance.

I agree with Joe about truckstops. They can be way noisy and most have back in parking which doesn't work with the toad. In the summer, the AC and generator noise of the vintage coach covered this up well and made the sleeping easy. The Marathon is no where near as loud, so we manually adjust the fan to a higher speed to supply "white noise".

I never thought about parking by a police station. I'll have to keep that one in mind.

Arena or stadium parking lots are usually good if there are no pending sporting events and most equestrian or fair ground facilities have parking with hook-ups of some kind, so that is always a good place to look.

Asking locals works sometimes, but when Mike and I were in Baton Rouge, Sting found us a sweet spot in Port Allen right off the Interstate, so that was easy as well. Except for the 30 or so wild cats that were living on the side of the old parking lot in the bushes and the old ladies that kept driving up to feed them.

[Orren Zook]

Our favorite haunt for an overnight, Cracker-Barrel, has the same policy as Wall-mart, they promote overnight stays, and the fact that we enjoy the food is a big plus. They are also very convenient and usually quiet.

I'm with you on this Joe, Cracker Barrels are quiet (no all night lot sweepers), clean, usually right next to an exit and open for breakfast at 0600.

[Jerry Winchester]

You guys must have monster Cracker Barrels cuz the ones around here won't hardly hold the cars much less an RV or a place to turn one around in.

First time I took my daughter in there for breakfast she asked, "Dad, is this an old folks home?"

I didn't think they would let you eat there if you had all your own teeth?

[Kevin Erion]

When it it's time to stop, whatever comes up works for me. When we travel as a Family and I am trying to make some distance, the Wal-Mart has worked great. I do spend some cash in the AM, good news is I can do a little shopping and still be on the road by 5:00am.

[ajhaig]

We've done a few overnight stops at big box retailers, they are convenient and we have always felt safe. Like Joe we try to do two day stops so we generally find a campground.

Our best non-campground overnight parking experience was at Petervs's in Battle Ground, WA... full hook-up, tools and technical expertise!