What to do when they shut down interstates?

Basically you pull off where they direct you and find a place to park. Usually under those circumstances they cut you a break on street parking.

 

In Wyoming I've actually just shut down on the interstate along with 100's of other trucks with the state troopers blessing. In winter blizzard weather keep the fuel tanks topped off and some food in the truck in case you're shut down in the middle of nowhere.

 

Thats a good question, I never thought of that one. Good thing to ask and know.

 

I got shut down in Deming, New Mexico during a freak blizzard. Parked at Wal-Mart as directed by the state police. The Wal-Mart provided free cookies donuts hot chocolate and coffee to all the people stranded there.

 

there's a little place to stop with a restaurant at exit 41. you've got flying j in rock springs. and little america in between rock springs and exit 41.

course, tomorrow will be a different story if closed or not.

 

I went through a major snow storm in Amarillo TX once.

 

This is one of those pre trip planning deals. Check the weather forecast. If the odds are that youre going to see a snowstorm, TOP YOUR FUEL TANKS OFF!!! Stay out of the rest areas, the pickle parks will be the first place where the snowplows shove all the snow.

Why top your fuel tanks off?

If they shut down the interstate, whatever truckstop that's in the area is going to run out of fuel in about 4-5 hours. If youre sitting somewhere with 3/4 tank of fuel and you get 8mpg, still top your fuel tanks off. Think "Disaster Area."

"How bad could it be?"

The winter of 2010-2011, a snowstorm went through that stretched from Monterrey,Mexico to Canada. They shut the interstate down around San Antonio. I got stuck in Joplin,Mo for a week. Temps hit -16. You don't want to be one of those guys who get teabagged by strangers because you have to sleep in the TV room of a truckstop because your truck ran out of fuel.

 

Why are rest areas called "pickle parks?" And what does "teabagged" mean?