Stopping for Entertainment

In time you will come to realize common re-occurrences for you. Then do some internet research for inexpensive hotels with truck parking that may be well situated and have numerous entertainment venues within walking distance. I'm now at a regular spot for us (near Edison NJ) at a hotel with everything I could want within walking distance. The hotels are sometimes "cheap", sometimes not. Be prepared to spend upwards of $95 in some places. My company will not let us drop the trailer, and I don't want to bobtail anyway. But there are plenty of places I can park for the night and enjoy myself without worry or concern.

Sometimes you have to seek out these places, sometimes they just occur out of no where.

 

Where ever you go make sure you can park there. I know one guy that parked at a shopping center and it cost the company five grand to get the truck back and he got fired.

One thing many drivers don't consider is parking lots are paved different thicknesses. Some place that has not consider truck traffic or budget constraints might have only 2" of asphalt where as one designed for big trucks can have 6"-12" total asphalt. If you tear one up it can get rather expensive. 2" rips like paper. That's why many big stores you will see a truck route in. That's not an invitation to park but for deliveries.

You'll learn when you get out here what you can and can't do. What little play time you get is while you are empty. Many times you have to do chores like laundry or clean the truck. Many times you'll want to catch up on sleep.
You'll have your special times but it's not like you are on vacation. The truck is like a ball and chain.

 

I went to the Mall of America. I followed the signs and wound up going through the mall where the parking garages are. I was thinking to myself, "Dude, you messed up this time. You're gonna get stuck at an 8 ft overpass or something." Well, I was so nervous that I just wanted to get out of there and I saw my signs for the interstate...THEN I saw the big truck parking lot. So I went and parked. Sure am glad My stacks are only 11 ft tall.

 

LOL just gotta remember Truck parking at mall of America is right by where IKEA is located....

 

You don't make money while entertaining yourself. You make money buy moving that truck down the road while awake. The HOS rules will dictate where you will be at, perhaps say Sams Club at Taylor PA. No porta a pot, chuck hole stone lot, ya might enjoy seeing rats running around. If your lucky in the OTR a truck stop is kinda of like a luxury. You say get your 14 hrs in just making it into a truck stop. Ok go get a shower might take a hr or two off your 10 hr break, leaving 8 hrs, pig out at the buffet another our leaves 5 hrs sleep if you wanna try a breakfast, not good while starting another 14 hour day.

 

Sometimes entertainment comes to you!

 

Five hours on dinner, breakfast, and shower?

You must be a incredibly clean and chew your food very well. lol

 

You will rip the roof off McDonald's drive thru every time ! JK:smt036

 

I find it a bit harder to do on a regular basis as I tend to run hard and am tired when done. however when I do get a good opportunity I tend to take advantage of it

 

I never did recreate OTR. I left home with the sole intention of getting back home. Now I run regional and all the years I spent OTR make a quiet evening at home that much more enjoyable.