In my opinion, parking is only a problem of you're one dimensional with your preferences of parking or are dead set on running certain hrs. If you're solely reliant on the corporate truck stops, you're going to give yourself problems sometimes. There's all types of hideouts around the country if you're paying attention and scoping out the area upon getting a load assignment. I've used entrance ramps, abandoned lots, staging areas to different warehouses, side streets, you name it. If there's 63 ft of space available, that's where I'll park.
Where I go there is usually parking at truck stops. However I prefer rest areas. There’s been a few times parking was a nightmare that lasted hours. I’m looking at you I-81 in Virginia. I go to California a lot and there’s very few truck stops once you’re in the LA area. I open google maps satellite view. Look at the areas that are commercial with warehouses. Then I look for dead end turn arounds. If there aren’t any I look for wide streets. Then I in-person view and look for no parking signs. If there aren’t any I’m good to go.
Parking sucks. A lot of it depends on where you are. If you invent a spot in Texas, they will be a lot more friendly and understanding than if you invent a spot in other places like CA or NY. You'll learn a lot of tips and tricks as time goes on. Most places, you can find a spot at a rest area up until probably close to midnight. So at least there's that. I take rest areas a lot just so I don't have to worry about it. And I can stop at a truck stop and shower and buy my food for the night earlier in the day before I'm finished driving.
We did not avoid truck stop parking but on the whole, I think most of our parking was at rest areas, wide spots, behind grocery stores or in industrial areas. One thing we did do, was keep a note book on where we parked, got groceries, motels, etc....basically everything we did OTR we kept notes on. That way when your memory fails you......
I have parked behind many shopping plazas. That also depends. If there are houses on the other side of the fence and you are hauling a reefer, those people in those houses might call the cops for a noise complaint. Ask me how I know. Us reefer drivers, we don't realize how loud that unit is. I know of a few places that will boot your truck if you try to park in their plaza. But, mostly, yes, you'll probably be fine. It depends. Don't block any dumpsters. The trash hauler will wake you up at 4AM.
Every trucker who has been out long enough has a list of hidden gems they guard closer then state secrets
Love's truck stop is opening many new truck stops. They just open a new one in Brookville PA on I-80 one exit from TA and Flying J in Brookville PA. Love's went crazy opening lots new truck stop and the other companies not opening many new ones
I like that they are opening places. They are still not doing reserved parking, anywhere, as far as I know. I prefer Love's for showers. But that will come to an end. They are starting to use some very bad shower heads that are so sad in every way. Going so cheap on the shower heads will make me fuel somewhere else for my shower credits. Is saving a few bucks on a few shower heads worth losing thousands in fuel profits?
