Shutting down for the night: a challenge

When I drove a tanker for Schneider I made it clear I would be in a truckstop by 6pm The only state I've found parking after 10pm is Ohio and Indiana. And you might find some in Texas. But come to the NE you better be parked by 5pm or be prepared to drive til 4am. I've left shippers at 4 and drove straight to the closes truckstop 1hr away. That's when you adjust your ETA.

 

Split-sleeper.

 

One thing that really helped my husband ( besides me) was google map's and the "pocket truck stop guide".

Their were plenty of times when the "big named T/S's" were full to the brim ( last Company no choice but to get fuel at Pilot) truck's parked every which way and we pulled into a "small" ( in the guide) Shell or BP and 3 maybe 4 trucks at 1am. to 3 am. ( That example was somewhere on I-95 in GA)

One of our favorite T/S's, Flicks on 78 ( future I-22) in Miss, right down the road from a very very over crowded Memphis. ( their were a couple closer actually, but while Flick's closed at night the Restroom's were open all night.

My google map's has "star's" all over it from places that we #1 liked the food, #2 had great nighttime parking or #3 was a Love's with a Hardee's ( my husband loves their sausage biscuits for breakfast.) #4 not a bunch, but chrome shops he really liked.

My pocket guide has the same thing's written out, so if we were on the road, NP next to a T/S meant Nite parking ( meaning we could find it). I added restraunt's that allowed over night parking also. such as Coles BBQ at mm 198 on I-45 in Tx( I think, that page got wet...lol)

Don't just look to the big named guy's, Mom & Pop places, small truck stops might not have 300 spaces, but if no one is using the 25 they have then it's golden. Sure you might have to OMG plan out your fueling, break and shower to go where your "allowed" or have point's, doesn't mean you can't go to one of the small places to eat ( probably much, much better food, cheaper) and spend the night.

Depending on your route and which states, don't over look the free parking at the scales, specially the ones with restroom's. ( yes I know some of you are paranoid about DOT at the scale houses, if you and your truck are legal....what's the problem).

Adjust your schedule a little bit, try and make the bulk of your time after loading. I know it's not always easy.
I wrote a book....sorry

 

Having to begin at 15:00 and having to run 10 hours or so ... there are no good answers unless you're running western states. You could heavily [and in advance] utilize paid (reserved) parking services where available. Make the company reimburse these when you're forced to run/park those hours, or tell you how and where you're supposed to park for a 10 after 20:00

 

Texas was the only place I NEVER had trouble finding parking. They have so many options! DFW is a total plethora of parking, Austin can be interesting, same with San. An- but on the whole, I NEVER had problems. I say this with having run about 30% of my loads through TX. If they do one thing right; it's a rest area.

 

Ok.........Im Not sure why you think a 'threat' to me is needed

Like it or not....thats how it was..You Had Respect, Unlike what most of these young men an women these days


I mean.....Lets face it.... If i woke you up because your in my spot....Your certainly not going to get physical with us..So Please stop with the threats

 

Nice advice.

I agree the smaller indy truckstops usually have parking where the big names don't. Probably because they don't cater to the "free shower" crowd... and they usually don't have a Subway, McD's, etc etc etc. but they do offer FOOD and drink. Personally I'd take a mom and pop over the megas any day.

I forgot about weigh stations... yes good to sleep there when push comes to shove and you've got 10 minutes left on your 14.

 

I'm gonna say I agree with the respect part and most of the time my husband parked in the back row....dog's, it's easier to take them out and for him to watch while I did so if I didn't have to walk across the lot. BUT their were a couple place's that 3, 4 or 5 pm, if he was done, he parked in the front, usually towards a side ( again dogs). I am the reason he parked up front in some places, so I could get out of the truck at 1 am and not have to wake him so I could go pee.

I will say this though, IF I was driving by my self I would probably park with an un-obstructed view of the buildings, so that I could get up and go pee or eat breakfast in the am....Which probably mean's front row. As nice as I am most of the time, if you woke me up and told me to move...I'd probably tell you where to stick it that the sun didn't shine....maybe politely... maybe not.

I like walking....1 to 3 miles most days, 5 to 10 on my days off. So the walking part isn't the issue.

 

Hey Mack E-6.......

Your a Forum Staff Leader, Please re-Read my Posts..

Its only the Truth..I Have yet insulted anyone, Just The Facts on How things WERE..Keyword Were!

If Folks get offended....I Guess i apologize, We live in a society Today where speech is a Problem and are limited to what we can say.. I get it.

Its almost like some users on here cant Justify what it was like...Of Course 'Today' It wont happen because the way society is structured in General..Everyone is Angry and think others are out to "Get Them"....

So If i offended anyone, My Apologies are extended to you