Interstate Entrance and Exit Ramps - State Law

Good question. I suspect the ultimate answer for all states is "emergency parking only" be it on the shoulder or on on and off ramps. I suspect how much the law is enforced is up to individual jurisdictions and cops. I've seen some parked on off and on ramps with their butts hanging out to the left of the white line and needed to be ticketed or run off. I guess ultimately it depends on the location, available width, and the situation. But certainly there are some states where this is absolutely forbidden in all situations, regardless.

Certainly the increase in eLogs is going to see proportional increases in this problem because truck stop construction can not keep pace with the rate of eLog trucks hitting the road today and into the foreseeable future.

 

Seriously, this stuff needs to be an absolute last resort. I know what you're saying, but its extremely dangerous. Lots of guys shut their lights off, too close or over the line and lets face it, car AND truck drivers, especially late at night aren't the most perceptive. Unfortunately, states are still closing rest areas. Nebraska just closed their truck parking areas in the western part of the state.

 

wouldn't recommend parking on either in Arkansas. the states i run that seem to be ok with it are Missouri, Texas, Ill. Now i'm NOT SAYING ITS LEGAL in those states just seem to see a lot of trucks doing it on a regular basis. Just stay out of the populated areas and may be ok.

that said. PLEASE don't park on any off ramps. Dude, it just aint safe. i'd rather take a hit on my CSA for driving to a safe spot than park on an off ramp.

 

if you have to park on ramp that's an absolute last resort and usally is only due to poor planning maybe you should go back to school and learn how to plan been out here off and on since 1989 and can honestly say never had to park on ramp other then take a whizz not to mention parking on ramp is very unsafe and just plain stupid

 

What teqnteaxas and sapamil said. If you have to take a ramp as a last resort, and there's no signage posted, park on the "On Ramp" side of the house. Use common sense whenever you do so. Make sure there's enough shoulder to get as far off the road as possible without putting it onto the soft stuff and getting stuck.

Also, try not to block the sign that say's "Bridge Out Ahead 1 mile"

 

In 23 years of driving only slept on the ramps twice and both times were because of breakdowns
I require indoor facilities and hot coffee when I wake up
neither which is available on an Interstate ramp.

 

New Mexico seems to go by the allowed unless otherwise posted rule. Some of the ramps between Las Cruces and Deming have areas plowed and graded for parking.

 

Okay, I have to ask, what constitutes your emergency to park on the ramp?

Do you have your triangles out and flashers on too?

 

Why not park on a ramp in some locations? Like Packrat mentioned, there are plenty of locations especially out west where it is perfectly safe to park (wide, 20 feet off the roadway, very little traffic), yet you are still technically parked on a ramp. I don't think anybody is advocating parking on a narrow ramp with little room, outside of a mechanical breakdown.