Over Night at a Rest Area

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As mentioned it depends on the state, Florida, no ( I think they have a 3 hour max parking limit), Texas, Yes, overnight parking / sleeping is allowed in ALL roadside rest /picnic areas by state anti drowsy driving law.  I don't know if it is still the case, but 30 years ago it was illegal to sleep in a vehicle in the state of Alabama (not sure how they counted motorhomes though)
 
Use this    https://www.interstaterestareas.com/overnight-parking-rules/
 
Aside from the noise and possible fuel fumes, we no longer stay in rest areas.  Many of them are small and sometimes truckers can't pull in when they need to because too many people are already parked.  Truckers are trying to earn a living and I feel their need to stop is greater than my need to stay overnight and take up space they need.  For that reason, I discourage overnighting at rest areas.

Over the years there also have been occasional safety issues.  One rest area in California was used by people for illicit meetings.  Years ago in Florida there were some murders at rest areas.  Obviously those are extreme situations but things like that do happen and one needs to minimize their exposure.  There are better places to stay overnight than rest areas.

ArdraF
 
To elaborate on Ardra's post, truckers are legally required to stop and rest on a mandated schedule.

If the truck spaces in a rest area where they planned to take their rest time are filled by RVers, they will be forced to drive on and this can subject them to a fine for exceeding their legal hours of service.
 
Lou Schneider said:
To elaborate on Ardra's post, truckers are legally required to stop and rest on a mandated schedule.

If the truck spaces in a rest area where they planned to take their rest time are filled by RVers, they will be forced to drive on and this can subject them to a fine for exceeding their legal hours of service.
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I kinda disagree with your thought process. The rest stops are for everyone. They don't specify truckers or RV'rs.  Yes truckers do have to stop after so many hours but what you're saying is that you want RV'rs to continue driving and possibly fall asleep instead of taking up a spot in a rest area.
By the way, I don't usually stay at rest stops. My reason is because of the noise, although I have a couple of times in the past.

Boy am I going to hear about this now.
 
I have a handicap parking permit, and use it frequently.  However, if normal parking places are available near by, I will use those and save the handicap for others.

I believe the same applies here.  For the RV, there are other choices including Wal Mart and other large parking lots.  Truckers do not have those options in most cases.  Unless you are really desperate for a stop, leave it for a trucker.
 
It depends on the rest area - some have a section reserved for RVs that trucks aren't allowed to use.
 
We started planning stops at Casinos, they seem to be everywhere now days, and usually right off the freeway and more quiet then rest stops. I find a spot away from the lights and a green strip or dirt area for the pup. Get up in the morning and so far we've had  decent breakfast's for not much more then a McDonalds at our stops. We don't gamble, so no temptations to hang around gambling. We picked up a cool little battery operated water feature for 10.00 at CVS for those noisy stops, nice soothing distraction, works pretty good for us,,,gregg
 
SeilerBird said:
Depends on the state.
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Yup ^^^^

I'm going to assume that you are in a MH or large 5th wheel and would be parking with the trucks.
Sleeping is a car or pickup is usually not allowed.

I've spent most of my traveling in Rest Areas.
The downside is the noisy trucks that park next to you that run their engines all night.
Bring ear plugs with you.
Also get there early as once the sun sets they fill up fast.
 
Rene T said:
I kinda disagree with your thought process. The rest stops are for everyone. They don't specify truckers or RV'rs.  Yes truckers do have to stop after so many hours but what you're saying is that you want RV'rs to continue driving and possibly fall asleep instead of taking up a spot in a rest area.
By the way, I don't usually stay at rest stops. My reason is because of the noise, although I have a couple of times in the past.

Boy am I going to hear about this now.
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No I think you are right on the money. I think if a trucker is so dumb that he waits till his time is totally up before looking for a rest stop, he is in the same class as people who wait till they are running on fumes before looking for a fuel stop.
Most of the time we stop at campgrounds but if I feel the need I have no qualms about using the rest area.
Bill
 
HappyWanderer said:
It depends on the rest area - some have a section reserved for RVs that trucks aren't allowed to use.
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On that note we are sitting in a rest stop for the night in New Mexico. We are in a spot marked for RV's.

We had planned on a BLM site but someone decided to put up a locked gate.

 
Truck stops are for commercial drivers.
Campgrounds are for RVers.
Rest areas are for everyone, truckers, RVers, and passenger vehicles.
 
Anyone try the RV areas on the OH Turnpike?  We noticed a couple of years ago that they all have a dedicated RV parking lot, with electric hookups!  IIRC, it was $20 that you pay in a self-serve kiosk for the night.  The lot is off the truck entrance road, but far from the truck parking area.  I could see it being a bit loud with passing trucks, but at least they aren't idling next to you. 

Plus, it probably doesn't have that strong urine smell that many of the truck lots do.  Presumably from what I assume are 1000 Gatorade bottles emptied there.  So gross.  Lazy buggers.
 
Anyone try the RV areas on the OH Turnpike?  We noticed a couple of years ago that they all have a dedicated RV parking lot, with electric hookups!  IIRC, it was $20 that you pay in a self-serve kiosk for the night.  The lot is off the truck entrance road, but far from the truck parking area.  I could see it being a bit loud with passing trucks, but at least they aren't idling next to you. 
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Love the RV areas on the OH Turnpike! Wish they were on all major turnpikes.

I have to agree with Rene T and Hanr3. Also my experience is Walmarts have just as many trucks as RVs parked there.
 
Not only do we use rest stops (including FL) but we occasionally use truck stops with permission. We don't use Walmarts.

Ernie
 
truckers do not have much say in where they can stop. most truck stops are full by sunset. then there are the miles/hrs between where they picked up and drop off there loads. got to figure that in as well.
no truck can idle over 5 min. fed law there. some of the older rigs if many still out there can. but some run a secondary motor for heat air.
a rv can park most anywhere and not have a problem. but big rigs can not stop in many towns or get a BIG $$ ticket. so please allow them to stop in the larger areas first.
i drive "local" so i do not need a sleep spot. but at times it would be nice to just have a place to stop for the "mother nature call".
on the way into major city areas, lots of rigs must stop, as NO place to park in said city areas. most city's have banned trucks from everything except pickups/delivery's.
 
Hanr3 said:
Truck stops are for commercial drivers.
Campgrounds are for RVers.
Rest areas are for everyone, truckers, RVers, and passenger vehicles.
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I agree, rest areas are for all drivers, they are not exclusive to the truckers.

We've stayed at many rest areas in the past year travelling from New England to Florida along 95. Stop off at a rest area and get 4-6 hours of shut eye. Never had any issue finding a spot, I see plenty of other RV's. I don't mind the sound from the trucks, blends in with the AC running. Need the white noise  :)
 
grashley said:
I believe the same applies here.  For the RV, there are other choices including Wal Mart and other large parking lots.  Truckers do not have those options in most cases.  Unless you are really desperate for a stop, leave it for a trucker.
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Just a slight disagreement on one point.  If you are not near an Interstate highway rest stops are few and far between but Walmarts are not.  Our local Walmart lot can be loaded with semis in the outer portions overnight and sometimes even on the weekends (truckers at home).  They recently put up signs saying No Overnight Parkng but I haven't noticed much of a slowdown.
 
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