Alternative parking

love Kwik Trip, reminds me of WaWa on the east coast.

 

Just dont trash your hidey hole or itll get posted/chained off etc.

 

Oops, sorry. This church wasn't in the Chesapeake, VA area by any chance? I was in my first week solo and I really needed to turn around.

 

A good way to save parking spots is to drop a pin on Google Maps then save it with the star or ❤️.

I think all of those Cenexes always have parking between Kenmare and Carrington on Hwy 52 along with the Schatz in Minot.

Kwik Trip almost makes me want to move to the Upper Midwest and be a regional driver. That Swiss Mushroom burger would probably become another bad habit.

 

I have my list of out-of-the-way truck stops and dirt lots across the country where I can park in a pinch. It's just one of those things you figure out with experience; which lots are always too full, which ones are the best kept secrets of the industry, what oddball places you can put your truck in a pinch, and where you CAN'T pull the yellow knob and lay low for a bit. Most of my favorite spots I discovered by complete accident, and I'm sure all the other guys and gals here will tell you more of the same

 

I use truckers app quite a bit. You need to read the reviews too. A lot of Walmart’s are not allowing parking and people will post about it. The app also lists the phone number so you can call and ask. I’ve never overnighted at a Walmart but I’ve called to see if we can park to shop. You also want to check out the satellite views, some of the lots can be tricky if they have a lot of curbs.

People will also post about other spots in the area sometimes. I’ve found that the truckers app doesn’t always show all available truck stops.

I also use google maps to check out the areas. I don’t like parking on the road in industrial areas but sometimes there isn’t anything else available.

Some places will let you park on site, but you should call ahead and ask if you can. Of course sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. I check google for my destination and read the reviews on there too sometimes you get good info, although I’ve been to places with bad reviews and haven’t had the problems others have listed.

Rest areas can fill up fast too, but you may get lucky. Just because everyone is parked on the shoulder on the on ramp doesn’t mean there not a spot available.

Trip planning means to make sure you have a back up plan or 2 and time to do it in. Keep your eyes open and your head swiveling. Just because you have to fuel at a flying j doesn’t mean you have to park there.

Good Luck!

 

Man i forgot about that swiss mushroom burger!!! You just made hungry lol

 

Ive been meaning to put a parking cone on my truck so i can walk from the pump to an open spot, cone it, then drive over my own cone after fueling and shoot in there.

 

McKinney TX. The driver's company paid for the lot to be redone. It was bad

 

This is why, the ONE time I borrowed a church parking lot for long enough to find a new place to park after all my choices and backup choices and backup backup choices were exhausted, I made #### sure to stay on the gravel extension they'd had installed at the far edge. I'd rather smooth some gravel out before I completely skip the area than risk tearing up the pavement... beat the hell out of sitting on the side of the highway to manhandle the navigation books, though