Issues finding places to park...how do you handle it?

One example the Chokataw truck lot & casinos in OK usually always have parking. I pass several driving through OK-75. They have large open dirt lots, and those are off a highway, not an interstate-facing parking.

Some states now have very large open paved lots for truck parking that are nice. I drove into one of those at 3AM and parked easily.

Drove into a rest area & welcome center in Missouri off I44 at like 2AM and found a couple spots, got parked.

 

Start looking for a place to park a couple hours early if you can work it into your time management.
Don't have to use all your driving time every day as long as you make your scheduled appointment.
For example, I had one run pretty often, from Nashville to Phoenix. Plenty of parking at the customer in Phoenix, but I needed a 10 hr. break before getting there at the right time. So I'd stop at the Texas/New Mexico line and take the 10 hour break, even though I could have made it to Eloy, AZ. By doing this I avoided possibly not finding parking at the Flying J in Eloy and was fully rested for a straight run to Phoenix, arriving with an hour or two before my appointment.
You'll learn to do this without stressing out about it. It will come natural.

 

ok, about 1 hour north according to google maps, or 60 miles or so.....

i used to stop at Frystown several times a month, when i had to go to VA with a heavy paper load, or to the peoples drug store warehouse in fredricksburg....

Google Maps

 

stay an hour away from major cities and the parking is better.

 

I learned how to drive a truck in Jessup. I lived near there. My wife and I used to eat there, back before the Country Pride Restaurants went downhill.

Parked/fueled there, never a problem.

I used to have to scale at the Port Truck Plaza on O'Donnell Street. (TA Baltimore North, I think it is now). Lots of dregs hanging around there, too. I didn't bother them, they didn't bother me.

Maybe you're just a "trouble magnet".


OP, carry yourself with confidence, be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to your gut feelings, and you'll be fine.

 

im in detroit right now in an abandond parking lot ! its no parking in this frickin place unless u wanna pay , and im cheap sooo here i am

 

it also depends on where you run... out west you can find parking any time of night. maybe not at a truckstop but theres parking... i pulled into a pilot at 1 am in nevada and half the lot was empty!! that doesnt exist out east or in the southeast.... ive learned once i get east of missouri texas and illinois then its better to run a schedule that has u shutting down at 4pm..... shouldnt have a problem with parking at that point

 

If you just starting out park correctly every time, do not do what the lazy do. The parking is only a excuse that many use to park closer and in the way. Just start doing it right and if others notice how easy it is they may join in.

 

Whoa there, when did Detroit become dangerous?

 

About 35 or 40 years ago. At least according to the news.