Rest areas in Ft Myers or Punta Gorda,Fl allow overnight?

dahkota wrote:

jim1632 wrote:
I just checked on South Carolina or Georgia for my trip. No luck, the states on the east coast just don't allow overnighting.

Whoops. We just stayed at the South Carolina Welcome Center on 95 South last night. There were at least 4 other RVs there.

We have also stayed overnight at Florida Rest Areas. Last time, we mistakenly parked in a day use area. The LEO/Patrol came over an told us we had to move into the regular lot by 7PM or we would be locked in. We did and were never told to move. It was probably our 4th or 5th time in a FLA rest area.

I think there is some bad info here. We have also stayed in SC rest areas along 95 many times. Never anything said and never any signs we saw.

The rest areas that do not allow overnight are usually very clearly signed.

We are heading that way in a few days. I will look closer and report back. :)

Midway fed campground in glades we are doing this year.
Miccosukkee casino is always good for a night as well.
We have overnighted in south carolina rest areas and georgia...7 or 8 hours max...pull in and go dark and wake up and leave.

We stopped at a huge rest area on 75 between Tampa and Sarasota. There was lots of truck parking space and over nighting. We even looked and did not see any signs against it.

Dog Folks wrote:
The Texan wrote:

Even IF the store says it is OK, that does NOT mean you won't get a ticket for violating a county or city ordinance. Lee, Collier and Monroe counties ALL have anti RV parking ordinances and they do enforce them. The Ft Meyers CW is a prime example, as they will flat tell you that they don't mind you staying overnight, but that the county and city have ordinances against it and you will probably be woke up with either a citation or orders to move. That is NOT an RV friendly section of Florida.


The area is RV friendly. It is just they want RV's parked in these things called campgrounds. What a novel concept.

Ft. Myers is spelled without the "e" after the "M." Common mistake.

The Fort Myers Camping World had a specified area for RV's coming in for repairs. We had no problem staying there on two different occasions. Perhaps The Texan, is just enjoying a few sour grapes rather than the beautiful SW Florida weather.

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jim1632 wrote:
I just checked on South Carolina or Georgia for my trip. No luck, the states on the east coast just don't allow overnighting.

Whoops. We just stayed at the South Carolina Welcome Center on 95 South last night. There were at least 4 other RVs there.

We have also stayed overnight at Florida Rest Areas. Last time, we mistakenly parked in a day use area. The LEO/Patrol came over an told us we had to move into the regular lot by 7PM or we would be locked in. We did and were never told to move. It was probably our 4th or 5th time in a FLA rest area.

The Texan wrote:
Even IF the store says it is OK, that does NOT mean you won't get a ticket for violating a county or city ordinance. Lee, Collier and Monroe counties ALL have anti RV parking ordinances and they do enforce them. The Ft Meyers CW is a prime example, as they will flat tell you that they don't mind you staying overnight, but that the county and city have ordinances against it and you will probably be woke up with either a citation or orders to move. That is NOT an RV friendly section of Florida.

The area is RV friendly. It is just they want RV's parked in these things called campgrounds. What a novel concept.

Ft. Myers is spelled without the "e" after the "M." Common mistake.

Even IF the store says it is OK, that does NOT mean you won't get a ticket for violating a county or city ordinance. Lee, Collier and Monroe counties ALL have anti RV parking ordinances and they do enforce them. The Ft Meyers CW is a prime example, as they will flat tell you that they don't mind you staying overnight, but that the county and city have ordinances against it and you will probably be woke up with either a citation or orders to move. That is NOT an RV friendly section of Florida.

There is a Flying J at Punta Gorda and one just north of Ft. Myers. Both have parking areas.

Kings Highway off I75 Punta Gorda has a Cracker Barrel right off interstate, I think that is exit 161. Next exit Jones Loop Rd I think exit 164 but check has a Walt Mar within a mile of interstate. Exit 139 Fort Meyers has a Camping World might call them and see about over night also a La Mesa. Also further down on I believe exit 129 which I think is Alico Rd is a Bass Pro in a shopping center they may let overnight parking there but I would call first. Also a Pilot at exit 139. Be careful if you stop in Fort Meyers as some areas are not all that great.