Parking in rest areas and welcome centers?

A lot depends on the area you are running. Many major cities out west are NOT truck friendly (San Diego has only 3 trucks stops in the entire metro area), and FWIW, most of the time you follow the 'sunset' rule when deciding when to stop for the day. If you're not in a truckstop by sundown (and on paper logs), keep on trucking, because you're not finding a spot to park there. Several states have banned parking on off ramps or side roads, so that can also be a challenge in many places.

3 best things if truckstops aren't your cup of tea for me are: Rest areas, Casinos (many are more than glad to let you park there if you gamble a little), and good old Walmart (make sure it's ok first tho. some will only let you park there if you are shopping, others located in larger malls can be a pain if you don't have a delivery to that store.)

 

When i ran from idaho to illinois or to penns, i tried to use rest areas more due to most truck stops were full at night, but when i needed fuel and seen a spot open when my hours were over for the day, i parked ate dinner and showered, some of the rest areas on I80 are pretty decent.

 

Maybe they can teach you how to buy Nutter Butters .

 

My vote is rest areas.. I have never had DOT bother me in a rest area. But will add I do not stay in rest areas that have the " no overnight parking" signs.

 

I avoid rest areas and the like at all cost,I dont park on ramps either.
If there is no room at the "Inn",I freshen up and " R O L L "

 

It's been a long time since I've been in CT but bears there used to sit in rest areas at night and any time a driver got out of his truck or was sitting at the wheel they'd ask for his log book .

 

As mentioned earlier DOT, but the most aggravating is other drivers. Especially the knuckleheads that don't know how to park or don't care. One of two things happens a lot. One the idiot that parks beside you pulls up to far and you can not pull out without taking off his hood or the idiot for whatever reason that thinks it is OK to park behind the parked trailers beside the curb. He might come in and there is no parking left and he shuts down there. The problem is a spot opens up and then (esp if you pull a spread) you can not get into a spot because the fool parked in a no parking spot is taking up the real estate that you need to negotiate the turn...

 

He's not just parking one spot . He's blocking at least 4 !

 

I spent the majority of my sleeper berth time in rest areas or on-off ramps. Never had a problem other than the #### fool who doesn't know where to stop the tractor at as someone else mentioned here. Truck stops are for fuel,coffee, showers, and a set down meal, at least for me. I parked on exit ramps many times, slept well, and woke up rested. I had my coffee and honey buns and started my day. Course I drove when state troopers and DOT offficiers had more important things to do than worry about someone parked on a ramp. Used to love to park on Apache Summit on US 70 in New Mexico and see the sun come up in the morning.Started my day off right. I guess the days of doing that are over in many states but I never minded it.