Rest area overnight stops.

Whilst traveling through the state of Ohio, we found one (1) rest-stop that actually had a specific area for overnight RV parking. For the cost of $20, you had a spot the offered electric. A dump station was provided on your way out.

So let me throw a kink in the works. Somebody has already mentioned that they believe rest areas are safer than the big box stores. Having been a cop for over 28 years I can tell you that hasn't been my experience. Rest areas tend to attract a lot of crime and criminals. All you have to do is Google search for rest area crimes and you'll find everything from serial killers targeting people in rest areas to prostitution to drug dealing to everything in between. Remember Michael Jordon's father was murdered while sleeping in a rest area.

A few years ago we travelled cross country in the motorhome. One of the nights I pulled into a very remote rest area in Utah that looked just fine. With my experience in rest area crime I normally would never stay in one, but this one looked fine. I pulled into a parking space and less than 5 minutes after shutting the engine off there was a knock at the door. Two male subjects were outside and asking for a ride. I told them no and they asked if I could loan them some money. I told them no again and let them know I was a law enforcement officer and told them I would call the highway patrol for them if they needed help. Of course they scuttled off after that, but I think they had less than honorable intentions. We started up the motorhome and drove to the next town and found a Walmart.

I'm not saying Walmart parking lots are safer, just saying a lot of things happen at rest stops and a lot of criminals specifically target rest stops.

Dick_B wrote:
I think all campgrounds allow overnight camping.

Good, this should not be a issue for you then. But to answer the op's question we have used some in several different states without issues.

www.findfuelstops.com and www.gasbuddy.com along with Google will show you any location that is in your pre-trip planning . Looking at the entire area gives you a better view and location that you are in along with any problem spots .

I prefer " Welcome Centers and Rest Areas " to shabby overpriced RV parks and questionable urban areas . I have a file of " Alternate Stops " for most of my routes that cover parking , food , and mechanical help . I travel I10 , I75 , I95, and back roads for work - getting there is half the fun .

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Rodallg wrote:
Is it allowed to spend the night at a rest area? Hope this isn't a dumb question to ask.

Which rest area and located in which state. Roadside rest areas are controlled by the state government i which they are located. I don't know of ANY state that has the SAME rules for all of there rest areas. MOST of the ones that do not allow overnighting will be signed informing users of this fact. With MANY of them it's fairly obvious just by looking around the area. MOST Kansas Rest areas, for example, have a huge circle at one end JUST for the purpose of overnight visitors and these areas are equipped with fresh water fill stations and dump stations at no charge. Many also have free WIFI available. They are MUCH nicer than staying in ANY retail parking lot though a little short of most campgrounds.

What a great question! In Washington State your allowed by law to stay in a rest area for 8 hours. A coworker of mine before I retired pulled over in a truck chain up area (This was during the summer) on Snoqualmie Pass, WA. and went to sleep. He slept for 10 hours and when he woke up he had a ticket on his windshield from the Washington State Patrol. The ticket said your only allowed to stay in a rest area for 8 hours. Don't know about the other 49 States!

We've done so in 1/2 the states, west of the Mississippi. As other said, it is a rest area.

Texas not only allows overnighting in the rest areas, they offer free wifi.

I think all campgrounds allow overnight camping.

MrWizard wrote:
yes we do it when traveling
even pulled over in the middle of the day, if the wind got bad

Amen to that!