If we are trying to make time on a long cross country trip we typically will pull into a rest area early enough to get the spot on the end. That cuts the risk of someone accidently dinging us in half. We usually eat and head to bed early and we are out of there at O'dark thirty.

If we are not sure about the rest areas such as when crossing the country on unfamiliar roads we use the big rig book and find campgrounds near the highway that list pull throughs and we do the same thing as far as timing. Get there before dark and generally get back on the road very early.

We do not stay in Walmart or mall parking lots. We used to until we realized how exposed we are to all the local crazies that think Garth Brooks is in the big bus. We will stay in a truck stop as long as we can get an end spot. Ain't no way I am staying in a truck stop if I have to have both sides exposed. Watch them trying to back in a truck stop spot during the day. Then imagine what it is like at midnight with your bus in the next spot.