I-59 Alabama Rest Stop Questions

[Dan_Frisbie]

I did a search for this, but didn't find much recent info.
We are headed to East Tennessee from Pensacola, FL in the Spring. Lenior City is about 8-9 hours with a stop or two, just a little too much for one day of travel.
In the past for overnights, we have stopped in campgrounds, but I am considering staying in an interstate rest area for the night instead of finding a campground.
Specifically, the I-59 Northbound rest area north of Birmingham, AL.
Any ideas, experiences?

 

[xrated]

A google search and about 2 seconds later, I clicked on this....

Which States Allow Overnight Parking in Rest Areas? – Boondocker's Bible

Most states allow overnight parking in rest areas. Only a minority of them do not. But even in states that prohibit overnight parking in rest areas, those rest

www.boondockersbible.com

I have no idea of the level of safety, or not, just showing what is allowed on a per state basis.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Mile marker 164.7 in St Clair County at Ashville AL? Alabama has cookie cutter rest stops and this is one of them. Street view shows a nice looking rest area.

Moving up the road to Exit 181 at Gasden, if you go left at the bottom of the ramp is a Cracker Barrel on the right surrounded by Motels. It has 5 or 6 pull thru long spaces for RV's.

Directly across the interstate is The Cove RV Resort and Campground. The Google aerial views show a truck storage area, but they are old. There is a campground and a camper dealer in that area now, and has been for several years. $38 night.

Charles

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

A google search and about 2 seconds later, I clicked on this....

Which States Allow Overnight Parking in Rest Areas? – Boondocker's Bible

Most states allow overnight parking in rest areas. Only a minority of them do not. But even in states that prohibit overnight parking in rest areas, those rest

www.boondockersbible.com

I have no idea of the level of safety, or not, just showing what is allowed on a per state basis.

I saw that, just looking primarily for people that have done this...

 

[Jayflight]

For full overnight camping in rest areas I have never been much of a fan of it. At the very least I use Harvest Host, even if you end up spending 20 bucks. Many of the hosts are now offering electric and even water for a small charge. And if not, a lot of the hosts allow generators if the resting area is away from any buildings or residence. This time of year when the temps are cooler its nice to have a location that I feel that I can sleep in confidence and comfort most of the night without being bothered.

 

[DonTom]

For full overnight camping in rest areas I have never been much of a fan of it.

Some are a lot better than others. The best rest areas are the ones that separate RVs from the noisy trucks, as do many of them here in CA. And none of that 3-hour limit nonsense as we find in the SE states.

-Don- Auburn, CA