my cross country trip from Ga. to Calif. I locate a Flying J.
Left in Oct. and back home in the middle of Dec.
Stop before it gets dark...Fill-up,eat,find yourself a good spot.
try to get there before 6:00 p.m. so you can get a spot they tend to fill up if you arrive later.
leave your slides in..there will be traffic in and out all night but if you give it a chance...go in have breakfast and off you go.
at first you may feel uneasy..but when you try it ..you may be amazed at how handy it is...and well lit and safe..never any incidents.
If you have to walk your dog...that can be tricky with the traffic
that would be the only down side..but people do it.
Other truck stops are not the same ...Flying J is usually setup about the same...I would not park where the big trucks park..
if one overlooks you they can do big damage before they realize they have hit you..