Do ya'll prefer truck stops or rest stops?

i run dedicated, so i like to split sleeper at the 8 hour mark, get a shower for 2hr off duty, then drive a half hour before shutting it down at the big ol' rest area. I can hook my trailer and get back home before the 10 1/2 driving is up with 2 hours to spare. Saves me from having to do the 30 min break on the first day.

 

I park behind lowes for free wifi

 

I park at the fuel pumps but dang-it the fuel pumps area can be noisy. You don't realize how noisy they are until you try and sleep 8 hours there. Inconsiderate, noisy drivers slamming doors. squalling brakes, pulling both brake knobs, hitting the pole with the squeegee stick, BS'g with the truck next to them, yelling over the idling and reefer engines. I'm just about ready to start parking and sleeping in the parking lot.

 

Free parking at the fuel pumps, stay as long as you want....

 

I prefer sleeping with my wife. Travel centers as they have become known as, unless they are the larger stops like Petro in Joplin, Oak Grove, Mo, Iowa 80, or such where i can park way away from the newbie section. It takes a real driver to park next to my rig ( cow #### has a a way of acting like bug spray. lol). Pilots, Loves, and such small T/C do not work for me. Unless i am way out in the countryside where only cattle haulers go to either load, or unload. I avoid these idiotic, training school, demolition derby, parking pile up messes

 

I do like the Rest Stop's if they are not crowded. Loves and Pilot are next for all my Needs but they can get a little crazy at times.

 

What is the criteria for a secret parking spot? How do you find them?

 

I prefer Wal-Mart stores.